Sexuality and the American Dream Against a backdrop of racism and violence, Hurston’s Janie and Wright’s Bigboy reflect the basic need for personal growth and search for self-fulfillment. Both characters struggle against an oppressive white society, which deprives them of the voice to express not only their frustrations and needs, but also their hopes and desires. This is poignantly illustrated through the character’s personal relationships, as the authors weave the thematic struggle for power with sexual expression. In Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, the character Janie is an octoroon, daughter and granddaughter of women raped by white men. Her own blossoming is parallel to that of the pear tree, and her romanticized view of the fertilization process reflects her naiveté. Therefore, when Nanny sees her kissing Johnny Taylor, she pushes her into marrying Logan Killicks, favoring practicality and disdaining any notion of romance. However, Johnny Taylor remains the symbol for the passion she seeks. She states: "She thought awhile and decided that her conscious life had commenced at Nanny's gate" (_Their Eyes_ 10). Because she lacks her own voice, Janie conforms to her grandmother’s wishes. Janie’s relationship with Logan illustrates that even though he is much older and has acquired wealth, he lacks the ability to communicate with her as well. There is no real intimacy between them. For example, they have conversations about mundane chores such as preparing dinner (_Their Eyes _25-26). While Janie’s inability to verbalize her desire for passion is more attributable to her youth, Logan’s seems to be suppressed in favor of struggling to be successful in a racist society. Furthermore, because his voice is stifled Logan cannot voice his own insecurities or hurt feelings. This contributes to his frustration as he attempts to make her conform to being the subjugated “mule,” a stereotype Nanny had tried to help her avoid (_Their Eyes _14). At the same time,...