There have always been times in our lives where we have regarded someone as having a significant impact on us and therefore worthy of our greater appreciation. Parents or loved ones can have a major influence on us; even though we may not realize it at first, as time goes on, they guide us in a more loving and profitable way until we see how special they really are. Sometimes this is not even revealed to the full extent until after the person is gone but the treasures gained can last a lifetime. This is evident in the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, where Tea Cake's actions deserve greater gratitude than Nanny's.

In the beginning of the novel, Janie recalls her grandmother, Nanny, who raised her. When Janie reached the age of sixteen, Nanny found her kissing Johnny Taylor which made her conclude that Janie was now...