“Us versus Them” — A Theme Shared

A major point of connection that I was able to recognize between Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God and Part IV of Ken Burns’ Country Music Documentary was the theme of having an “us versus everyone” mentality (Burns 0:36). In Chapter 18 of the former work, Janie and Tea Cake are confronted by a massive hurricane that wreaks havoc on the Everglades. Just before they opt to flee, Tea Cake says to his wife that she probably wishes that she was back in her larger, more high-status Eatonville home, safe from this mess. Her reply pleasantly surprises him, as she states “Yea, naw… Ah’m wid mah husband in uh storm, dat’s all” (Hurston 159). This tender moment reassures the often-self-conscious couple in a wildly difficult moment that they are in it together, and that their mutual survival and love are the sole priorities. From my perspective as a reader, it marks the ultimate test of their relationship, which proves sturdy despite immense pressure. It is the culmination of many other trials they have faced, not the least of which would be widespread disapproval from others across the book’s span. In the opening of Part IV of the documentary, it is expressed that country music is very much rooted in similar sentiment. This matches its connotation as a genre, especially when a prolific superstar like Elvis Presley comes into the equation as well during the course of this episode — a rebellious and new form of music that is scorned and criticized by many, but popular with droves just the same. Elvis’ music marked a new infusion of style for rock and country, giving it the rockstar aura it is remembered for even today. Much like the older generations present within Their Eyes Were Watching God did not approve of her antics, namely that she had married a younger, lower-class man, so too did the older generation widely disapprove of Elvis, seeing his influence as corrupting rather than edifying. This shows that generational schisms, whether musical or rooted in customs/tradition are perennial, renewing themselves as time progresses and norms are inevitably altered. Recalling back to the documentary’s very first episode, even Henry Ford disapproved of hillbilly music, viewing it as a creation of the crude and penniless. It also shows, to a broader point, that American identity is static in some respects, it is also ever-changing, adapting and being molded with the years.