Death. It’s a natural experience that everyone goes through and knows of. We all have to die some day, it’s just a matter of when and where it will happen. Death can cause many changes in someone’s life after the fact. Some people are never the same after someone they love passes away.
Hurston uses death as a symbol for the character Janie in the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God starting with her grandmother’s death. Janie always respected her grandmother when it came to her opinions and statements because that was the person who raised her. She always appreciated her for being there since her mother couldn’t. Janie’s grandmother dying brought out a little bit of courage in her. Janie finally breaks it off with her husband Logan after she was promised by her grandmother that she was “gointer love him,” (Hurston 23). janie stayed with Logan because she knew it meant security to her grandmother. Since she n0 longer had to worry about her grandmother, she could focus on herself.
Another instance of death used by Hurston to represent change in Janie’s life is the death of Joe Starks in chapter 9. Janie not only goes through emotional change, but physical change as well. She “burnt up every one of her head rags,” (Hurston 89) and began wearing her hair in a chunky braid. It seemed as though Janie was nonchalant about the whole situation.Hurston does a good job of writing this chapter because the reader is able to see Janie’s progression of emotions and thoughts of her grandmother. Hurston does a great job of using imagery to really imagine what Janie is feeling.
Many people can relate to Janie since people die every day and experience the same feelings grievances.
I agree that Janie was nonchalant about Jody's death. We could tell that she clearly cared for him and was hurt that he did not want her by his death bed, but she welcomed the freedom that came with his death. After years of bottling up her feelings and having to answer to someone else she was in no hurry to get married again saying "Ah ain't even give marryin' de first thought." (91). This death is a new chapter in her life; she is able to make her own decisions for the first time and maybe have the life she has wanted for so long - a "country road at sun-up" (76) .
ReplyDeleteI like how you related death in general and how it affects everyone to how it specifically affected Janie. Janie was much more loved and respected Nanny and her wishes because Nanny loved and respected Janie. Janie was so nonchalant about Jody's death because he didn't treat her well and certainty didn't care about Janie's opinions or feelings.
ReplyDeleteLike Anna said, she truly did care for him and was hurt that he did not want her by his death bed. She really was by his side through everything. He just turned his head to face death in the end.
ReplyDelete