People are constantly searching for their own voice. A voice gives someone independence and the ability to make their own decision. The First Amendment guarantees that all citizens of the United States possess free speech; however, not all people are given the ability or opportunity to exercise this right. When a person has no voice, they rely on others to make their decisions. In Their Eyes Are Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, Janie constantly struggles to find her voice. Her marriage to Logan Killicks, Joe Starks and Tea Cake helped her discover and use her voice in different ways. During Janie's first marriage to Logan she has no voice, Joe silences Janie's smallest whisper and controls her like a slave; unlike Logan and Joe, Tea Cake encourages Janie to use her voice and make her own decisions. Janie cannot express her voice until she discovers happiness and independence through her eventual marriage. While Janie's nanny forces her to marry Logan Killicks for safety; Logan also lacks love and compassion for Janie and silences her. Janie can't use her voice when she marries Logan Killicks because of her nanny. Although Janie knows "exactly what" she means; expressing his voice is “hard to do” (Hurston 8). From the beginning, Logan is nothing like his perfect love of the pear tree, which to Janie means a man who instills confidence in his wife and listens to her voice. Logan fails to realize that dream as he isolates her from the community, leaving her without a voice. Realizing that her marriage lacks the love and compassion she desires, Janie comes to understand that her relationship with Logan won't last long. Not only does Janie's marriage to Logan stifle any hope of hope... middle of paper ... ...disrespect on Tea Cake's part. She threatens him, saying that if he leaves her again without his permission she will "kill you" (124). In Janie's previous marriages, her husbands treat her like a slave and isolate her from the community. Even though her voice is still developing, she will not allow her husband to show his contempt. During the trial, Janie matures and shows control over her voice as she faces the horror of telling the story of Tea Cake's death in the courtroom. As she gives her testimony, Janie knows when to speak; however, when she finished “she fell silent” (187). By expressing and controlling her voice in court, Janie ultimately reveals her newfound vocal maturity, but it is only through her eventual marriage to Tea Cake that Janie finally develops an understanding of when and how to use her voice. God