Nanny arranges Janie's marriage to Logan because she values financial security and respectability over love. Three major changes that Janie goes through in Their Eyes Were Watching God are that (1) she fits in with a community, (2) learns to do previously gender-restricted activities, and (3) acts with courage on her own behalf. Why is it that one of the first things Janie does after Jody's death is let her hair down? Finally, Janie is free of the man who stifled her individuality. At the end of the Civil War, blacks . At the end of the Civil War, blacks settled near the town of Maitland. In her first act of freedom following Joe's death, Janie burns her headrags to symbolize her new independence from Joe's control. Copied: 189. Janie begins to pity Jody and wants to see him one last time. When he is on his deathbed, Janie makes it evident to him that she never knew her or let her be free. Janie's concept of death is a vacuum - a space "without sides and without a roof" - signaling the emptiness and eternity of death. Throughout the course of the novel, Janie Mae Crawford, the main protagonist, goes through three marriages. She knew that Joe's death was imminent and had prepared herself for mourning before his death; she has also been waiting for liberation all her life. In 1882, the black business person Joseph C. Clarke purchased a big system of land . Three major changes that Janie goes through in Their Eyes Were Watching God are that (1) she fits in with a community, (2) learns to do previously gender-restricted activities, and (3) acts with courage on her own behalf. In particular, the townspeople repeatedly make fun of a fellow Eatonville resident named Matt Bonner for his sad and tired looking mule. You done lived wid me for twenty years and you don't half know me atall. 6. But Ah'm uh woman every inch of me, and Ah know it. She tells him how she feels about her whole marriage with him. In the 1970s, African American author Alice Walker restored interest in Hurston, helping to restore her reputation. This will help you understand what Janie feels, or does not feel, after Joe's death. Rather, Janie actually gains strength from Joe's death. 4. In the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston, the author, experiments and utilizes name significance as a means of characterization. You wouldn't listen. Janie finishes recounting her story to Pheobyjust as she promised she would do in the beginningbefore settling into her bedroom and reflecting on Tea Cake's death. Ask and answer questions. Janie rebels once again against the societal bounds on married women once Jody has passed away.Although the norms of society expect Janie to mourn the death of her late husband and continue to live her life as a widow, she falls in love with a new man, Teacake, and eventually leaves Eatonville to pursue her love.Janie is certainly more spirited . 1 What is the atmosphere around the house and the store as this chapter opens? She accuses him of selfishness, of not trying to pacify anyone but himself. Prior to marrying Joe . Throughout both bodies of work, the main female . Analysis. Throughout their twenty-year marriage, three events symbolized the rift between Jody and Janie; The first was his refusing to allow Janie to speak at the towns opening ceremony, Janie's public response to Jody's ridicule of her, and Jody's rejection of Janie while on his deathbed. Joe is deflated and takes to his deathbed, refusing to let Janie visit him. When Tea Cake tries to talk to Janie, she hits him. First, note that Janie and Joe's relationship was not one filled with love and longing. Then they act and do things accordingly. "(132) Janie has learned a lot in her life with Jody, and, when he dies, Janie is left with a lack of restrictions she . You ain't tried tuh pacify nobody but yo'self " (Pages 86-87). 3 What "new thoughts" and "new words" are there, and why? However, it is not until Jody is on his deathbed that Janie affirms her newly restored voice and finally confronts him about their failed marriage "You done lived wid me for twenty years and you don't half know me at all. Nevertheless, Janie sends for a real doctor from Orlando. But note also how he lets Janie care for him in a way that Jody wouldn't. Because she still had things to tell him and knew he wasn't gonna be alive for much longer; She tells him how he treated her was wrong and that she was glad that he was dying Jody doesn't care for Janie as an individual. 7. On two occasions, in the store and as Joe is dying, she exerts her independence by standing up for herself. On two occasions, in the store and as Joe is dying, she exerts her independence by standing up for herself. What does the mule symbolize in their eyes? The mule is constantly mocked and seen as a lowly creature. the porch men don't know as much about women as they think. When Jody purchases the mule to appease Janie's sense of pity for it, the town regards Jody as a savior, and adopts the freed mule as a kind of emblem. Now, women forget all those things they don't want to remember and remember everything they don't want to forget. Why do Sam Watson and Lige Moss argue? 4 What does Janie mean by the statement, "Well, if she must eat out of a long-handled spoon, she must"? For several years, Janie kept her feelings to herself and obeyed Joe. 5. You done lived wid me for twenty years and you don't half know me atall. Janie, in the novel, is psychologically and physically abused by her husbands. "Janie! In his eyes, her existence is to be what he expects of a wife. What does she say? Although Janie feared that Tea Cake would leave her earlier when he disappeared with her $200, this time her fear is channeled into jealousy. Their Eyes Were Watching God concludes with Janie's self-actualization and hope for her own future. She felt that it would soon come to her and she would be like the pear tree waiting for it. At his deathbed, she unleashes her every anger, disappointment, and exhaustion towards him. About seven years into their marriage, Joe hits Janie for not preparing his dinner properly. Also in Chapter 8, Hurston employs a metaphor for death. This will help you understand what Janie feels, or does not feel, after Joe's death. However, it is not until Jody is on his deathbed that Janie affirms her newly restored voice and finally confronts him about their failed marriage "You done lived wid me for twenty years and you don't half know me at all. Why does Janie visit Jody on his deathbed? Why do you think Hurston describes death in this manner? For several years, Janie kept her feelings to herself and obeyed Joe. . 5. Letting her hair down is a declaration and symbol of freedom. Throughout the novel, the mule symbolizes victimization, a theme that appears throughout the novel in various ways. Janie bursts into Joe's room in his final moments and speaks her mind. Death is proper because it always does what it is supposed to do. With this voice, Joe makes his opinions loudly known, often silencing others' dissent and giving his words the force of law. Jody soon recovers the cost of the new land by selling lots to newcomers and opens a store. Also in Chapter 8, Hurston employs a metaphor for death. But Jody's attacks were verbal, they were expressions of political power. Background Their Eyes Were Viewing God is set in Florida during the 1930s. However, these moments is where her strong personality get to shine. After Janie's complete failure of marriage with Logan . Although the story is imaginary, the town of Eatonville, developed and governed by African Americans, is genuine. "Janie is the main character in Their Eyes Were Watching God. It represents the possibility of change or even improvement. Jody hires Coker and Taylor to build his store while the rest of the town clears roads and recruits new residents. She should not have to pretend that she is in mourning for his death when she is not really grieving over him. Chapter 9 What does Janie mean when she says, "Let em say whut deh wants tuh, Pheoby. His kidneys have failed. In these opening lines, Hurston introduces a crucial idea that . Finally, Janie is free of the man who stifled her individuality. Janie begins to think about death: she pictures a square-toed man from the West who lives in a house with no roof. Rather, Janie actually gains strength from Joe's death. (exceedingly proper or straight-laced) 1. don't tell me Ah got tuh die, and Ah ain't used tuh thinkin' 'bout it." "Tain't really no need of you dying, Jody, if you had ofde doctorbut it don't do no good bringin' dat up now. Does Janie kill Jody? In her first act of freedom following Joe's death, Janie burns her headrags to symbolize her new independence from Joe's control. That is the life of men. Janie appears to fade during the 20 years she is married to Jody, taking a backseat on her own life. Janie realizes that she must speak to Joe, no matter what. *Why does Janie tell Joe on his death bed that their life was not . The abused yellow mule symbolizes mistreatment and suppression that Janie and women like her face. that Joe is dead and she's leaving town. Irony = Janie sees death as an eternal being ("Been standing there before there was a where or a when or a then") when death really introduces people to eternity. The mule's death eventually becomes a symbol of the strain between . Finally, Tea Cake (Vergible Woods) comes along and sweeps Janie off of her feet. Although, the horizon is out of Janie's reach, Jody stands in the way of her dreams and denies her of any opportunities that arise. "Ah'll lie and say he is. 300. His kidneys have failed. . she says nothing on the porch. Letting her hair down is a declaration and symbol of freedom. What emotions do you think Janie was feeling after Jody hit her in front of all those people? While Jody is on his deathbed, he and Janie have their final confrontation over his mistreatment of her. Of her three husbands (Logan Killicks and Jody Starks being the first two), Tea Cake is Janie's one and only true love throughout the novel. Janie is not sad about Joe's death. Prior to marrying Joe . To my thinkin . Joe Starks: I hope thunder and lightning kill you. Although the story is fictional, the town of Eatonville, built and governed by African Americans, is real. She asks Sam if it would be all right to visit Joe, but Joe refuses. What does Janie say about the mule? If Ah don't life won't be nothing but uh store and uh house." 9. She realizes she is saving herself up for some other man. At the end of the Civil War, blacks settled near the town of Maitland. At his store, Jody is quickly named mayor, and for the occasion Taylor asks Janie to give a short speech. Janie breaks her silence on the store porch to say this: to tell Joe that he is fat and saggy. Although the story is imaginary, the town of Eatonville, developed and governed by African Americans, is genuine. Order Original Essay. Irony = Janie sees death as an eternal being ("Been standing there before there was a where or a when or a then") when death really introduces people to eternity. 5 Janie describes Joe's baggy, flabby skin and body. Jody dies and Janie fakes being sad. When Jody purchases the mule to appease Janie's sense of pity for it, the town regards Jody as a savior, and adopts the freed mule as a kind of emblem. Janie and Jody's fight seemed to be a breaking point, but it was simply a fight on the surface. In her first act of freedom following Joe's death, Janie burns her headrags to symbolize her new independence from Joe's control. In his eyes, her existence is to be what he expects of a wife. You wouldn't listen. Humph . 300. Death creeps in unnoticed and disappears unnoticed. Each of her husbands, Logan Killicks, Jody Starks, and Vergible "Tea Cake" Woods . What does she say? Regardless of the age . You big-bellies round here and put out a lot of brag, but 'tain't nothin' to it but yo' big voice. Just as Jody descended into fear and vicious lashing out as his body deteriorated, so too does Tea Cake. Janie appears to fade during the 20 years she is married to Jody, taking a backseat on her own life. On at least two occasions, Hurston refers to death as "square-toed," which means exceedingly proper or straight-laced. The she never loved him That he oppressed her That she forgives him That he saved her Previous section Chapters 3-4 Quick Quiz Next section Chapters 9-10 Quick Quiz Janie begins to think about death: she pictures a square-toed man from the West who lives in a house with no roof. While many women who lose their husbands feel weak and insecure, Janie does not. Jody doesn't care for Janie as an individual. It wasn't until Joe was on his deathbed that Janie felt it safe to reveal what she'd been holding back: "Tain't really no need of you dying, Jodydat's just whut Ah wants tuh say, Jody. From the beginning, Joe makes it known that he desires to be "a big voice." However, when he achieves a position of power, Joe takes it too far and, in Janie's eyes, becomes nothing but the big voice. don't tell me Ah got tuh die, and Ah ain't used tuh thinkin' 'bout it." "'Tain't really no need of you dying, Jody, if you had ofde doctorbut it don't do no good bringin' dat up now. Join the dicussion. Death, according to Janie, is "a strange being" with a sword "waiting for the messenger to bid him come." In her first act of freedom following Joe's death, Janie burns her headrags to symbolize her new independence from Joe's control. CHAPTERS 7-9. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. 5. Janie finally realizes that her grandmother had the wrong idea of fulfilling her dreams, instead of searching for all that she wanted, Janie only wanted company and love. 2 What is suggested by the phrase, "the sleep of swords"? However, Hurston allows the reader to experience how deeply Janie . You done lived wid me for twenty years and you don't . Does Joe hit Janie? "(132) Janie has learned a lot in her life with Jody, and, when he dies, Janie is left with a lack of restrictions she . Jody would go on trips and leave Janie. Janie realizes that she must speak to Joe, no matter what. Most of her life, being married to Jody, Janie feels that Jody is hindering her hopes and dreams for the future. A doctor says Jodys kidneys have stopped working and he will die soon. (Chapter 1) These are the first paragraphs of Their Eyes Were Watching God. They have one last conversation that turns into an argument. Twelve years younger than Janie and of much lower social status, Tea Cake appears initially as a risky candidate for marriage. Background Their Eyes Were Watching God is set in Florida during the 1930s. How he treated her was wrong and how she was glad he was dying. Why does Joe hit Janie in the store? More books than SparkNotes. Background Their Eyes Were Viewing God is set in Florida during the 1930s. After that, Janie falls out of love. Janie becomes extremely jealous after she finds Nunkie flirting with Tea Cake in the fields. Logan Killicks - Janie's first husband. Janie visits Jody on his deathbed because she still had things to say to him and she knew that he wasn't going to be alive much longer. How it works. The same applies to Celie, who is abused this way by the men in her life. She condemns . Jody would go on trips and leave Janie. Largely because of her relationships with the three key men in her life, Janie is often beaten down and physically abused. Why does Janie visit Jody on his deathbed? When Janie confronts Joe on his deathbed, she tells him, "And now you got tuh die to find out dat you got tuh pacify somebody besides yo'self if you wants any love and sympathy in did world. Their Eyes Were Watching God concludes with Janie's self-actualization and hope for her own future. Tea Cake's fears are physical (Janie cheating on him) and so is his potential responsea gun. Copied: 189. Rate this quote: (2.67 / 3 votes) 4,199 Views. Janie feels limited by the repetitive nature of working in the store each day, but is amused by the townspeople's conversations on the porch that she can overhear, even if she is not directly engaged. She says, It wasnt because Ah . Janie's concept of death is a vacuum - a space "without sides and without a roof" - signaling the emptiness and eternity of death. In the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, and the film The Color Purple, the main characters experience several types of abuse. Why is it that one of the first things Janie does after Jodys death is let her hair down . Janie, in the novel, is psychologically and physically abused by her husbands. While Joe is growing old, he insults Janie to deflect people from noticing his age, but Janie won't take it. What does she say? Throughout both bodies of work, the main female . The same applies to Celie, who is abused this way by the men in her life. In these chapters, I was impressed by the profound meanings and emotions that Hurston laid over events that weren't ordinary, but certainly were not particularly unique. Why does Janie visit Jody on his deathbed? Dat's uh whole lot more'n you kin say. Logan pampers Janie for a year before he tries to make her help him with the farming work. Dat's just whut Ah wants tuh say, Jody. Summary and Analysis Chapter 15. Share your thoughts on this Their Eyes Were Watching God's quote with the community: The dream is the truth. Chapter 9 What does Janie mean when she says, "Let em say whut deh wants tuh, Pheoby. Janie is done with accepting Jody's treatment towards her. The doctor examines Jody and determines that his kidneys have stopped working and that he will soon die. "Janie! What does Janie say about the mule? Joe and Logan are a huge part of how Janie regain her strong sense of self: "Her first two marriages crumble because Logan Killicks and Joe Starks posses bourgeois visions of race, class, and gender boundaries, all of which rely first and foremost on . Death, according to Janie, is "a strange being" with a sword "waiting for the messenger to bid him come." Janie finishes recounting her story to Pheobyjust as she promised she would do in the beginningbefore settling into her bedroom and reflecting on Tea Cake's death. Why do you think Hurston describes it in this manner? Janie! Tea Cake Character Analysis. While many women who lose their husbands feel weak and insecure, Janie does not. Janie Starks: [to Joe on his deathbed] Even now, you got to die with me being obedient, instead of just letting me love you. (Literal) . She is mistreated by Logan, Jody, and Tea Cake, but . On at least two occasions, Hurston refers to death as "square-toed", which means exceedingly proper or straight-laced. At Joes deathbed Janie finally speaks her mind. In 1882, the black businessman Joseph C. Clarke bought a large tract of land, subdivided it . Why didn't Jody let Janie go help the dragging of the dead mule? Why does Janie visit Jody on his deathbed? What does Janie say to Jody on his deathbed? When he is on his deathbed, Janie makes it evident to him that she never knew her or let her be free. Dat's just whut Ah wants tuh say, Jody. Throughout the novel, the mule symbolizes victimization, a theme that appears throughout the novel in various ways. Janie! . First, note that Janie and Joe's relationship was not one filled with love and longing. Janie learns from Pheoby that there is a rumor around town that Janie is trying to poison Jody for revenge. 2. In the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, and the film The Color Purple, the main characters experience several types of abuse. All Jody does is suppress Janie's power, but she regains it when he is on his deathbed. You wouldn't listen. What does the mule symbolize in their eyes? What does Janie mean when she says, "Let 'em say whut deh wants tuh, Pheoby. the porch men don't know as much about women as they think. He dies and Janie leaves yet another marriage without experiencing love and respect. There is a rumor that Janie is trying to kill Jody after he becomes ill, so he stops eating her cooking. Feeling used and unloved, Janie leaves him for Jody Starks. After his untimely death, Janie dons widow's clothes and lives happily as a single woman until she meets a slick and fun-loving vagrant named Tea Cake. Joe Watson tells Janie that Joe is about to die. Joe Watson tells Janie that Joe is about to die. What does she say? Similarly, on the hierarchy of society, Janie and her fellow black women are depicted on the lowest rungs of society. She asks Sam if it would be all right to visit Joe, but Joe refuses. . Simply so, who is tea cake in Their Eyes Were Watching God?