Most believe that finding love is more valuable than their own independence. In most cases this might be true, but if the person whose love you seek and expect doesn't treat you with respect, why is love more important? The journey to finding love might be great, but if deep down you are aware of your unhappiness, then YOUR independence should be what matters. Zora Neale Hurston's message on Love and Relationships vs. Independence is to never rush to find love until you are ready. Your independence can bring you happiness that you may not be able to have in a relationship. Janie never wanted to get married, she wanted her independence, but her grandmother thought otherwise. Janie's grandmother knew that she was getting old and that when she died, there would be no one to take care of Janie. Janie's grandmother said to her, "Ah, it's not old, honey." Ah, I'm done, old man. One morning soon, the angel with the sword will pass by here. The day and the hour have been hidden from me, but it will not be long. Ah, from Lawd, when you were a baby in my arms, to let me stay here until you were grown. He spared me to see the day. My daily prayer now is to let these golden moments last a few more days until I see you safe in life. (Hurston, p. 15) Overall, the nanny just wanted to make sure Janie was safe before she passed away, which was the reason she wanted to marry Janie. Nanny thought that since Janie was married, she wouldn't have to see Janie go through the same incidents as her mother. Janie's mother was raped and once Janie was born, she ran away. When we think of independence, the first thing that comes to mind is freedom and wanting to live in the middle of paper......a key role for many reasons. Janie might have been an independent woman if she hadn't been forced to marry at such a young age. Being married put her independence on hold as Janie was forced to wait on men she didn't love. Soon enough, she regained her independence when her second husband, Joe Starks, died. She became the Janie who would have fun and not care about the repercussions or gossip behind it. But love found her and she took advantage of it, hoping it would be different from her past experiences. In the end, Janie's last chance at love turned out to be better than the rest. Finding love might lead to your independence, but it's up to the driver to determine whether that love is for him or not. Works Cited Hurtson, Neale, Zora: Their Eyes Were Watching God