Due Dates

Rough Draft Due: Friday, July 18; upload to web by noon
Final Draft Due: Wednesday, July 23; upload to web before class begins

Assignment

For your final project, you will create an interpretive web site on Their Eyes Were Watching God that analyzes how a single chapter of the book establishes or develops a key theme or motif of the novel.  You may select one of the following themes or motifs: love and marriage, gender roles, speech and silence, community, male/female relationships, self-discovery, immersion in folk culture, or the pear tree.  Your web site will also include an annotated passage from your selected chapter and annotated links to other Hurston sites.  

Format

Following is an overview of the required components: 

Critical Analysis 
Your web site will include a close reading of the function of your chosen theme within the novel, focusing on a single chapter from Their Eyes Were Watching God. Basically, this portion of the assignment is the same as writing a short paper (750-1000 words) demonstrating the significance of your chosen theme.  

About This Site
This section should include a brief description of the contents of the site and your rationale for their inclusion. You should also provide the viewer with any information that would be useful for navigating the site. If you want to include some information about yourself, this would be a logical place to include that material.  

Annotated Passage
You need to include a passage from your chapter (200 words minimum) and annotate that passage, adding interpretive commentary, links, and explanations that will help viewers understand the text.  Think of this section as a short version of the type of notes Thadious Davis provides in our edition of Quicksand.  Some of you may be able to copy your passage from on-line editions of Their Eyes; others will have to type their passages. You should have a minimum of six annotations, with at least four consisting of your commentary on the passage. 

Annotated Links and Credits
Include links to and descriptions of at least five other Hurston Web sites that would be useful for viewers seeking a critical understanding of Their Eyes Were Watching God.  In addition to the links, you should include credits for the source for the passage and the sources of any images that you include on the site. Link any URLs to the appropriate sites, so that others can retrace your research.