With power comes jealousy and envy. And as Eatonville’s first mayor, Jody Starks was sure to experience it first hand.
Just after reaching their destination of an all black town, Jody and Janie were almost sure that they were to get what they had dreamed so profusely; a buzzing community thriving in prosperity and success. Yet to their dismay, they were welcomed with the complete opposite, but a change was soon to come shortly upon arrival. As soon as they met the townspeople, the orders and demands had begun and the leadership had been established.
A great deal of the townsfolk didn’t take too kindly to the sudden changes. Among the irritated was Hicks. Hicks can be described as “the average mortal” (Hurston 39), and he despised the confidence displayed by Jody Starks. Witnessing the changes that Starks proposed to the citizens of Eatonville, Hicks began to foster a deep resentment towards Jody, as he found it troubling to “get used to the world one way and then suddenly have it turn different.”
(Hurston 39) As a result, Hicks would often impugn Starks’ capabilities.
(Hurston 39) As a result, Hicks would often impugn Starks’ capabilities.
Perhaps Hicks’ pessimism served as a coping mechanism. Hicks harbored a great pride, and seeing Starks’ accomplishments was like pouring salt on an open wound. However, is it possible that Hicks’ pride was a display masking the fact that he was truly jealous of Starks’ confidence? It hurt to look at someone getting things done as he sat idling, but it pained Hicks even more to look within himself and realize that he was practically good for nothing.
https://365reasons2sober.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/jealousy-is-just-a-lack-of-self-confidence.jpg
The weight that insecurity has on the conscious is truly significant. A lack of self-confidence can drive a man to different extremes, and exhibiting jealousy is among the most prominent.
The weight that insecurity has on the conscious is truly significant. A lack of self-confidence can drive a man to different extremes, and exhibiting jealousy is among the most prominent.
Reading this chapter, I also noticed the jealousy of Hicks. As you said he does represent the average mortal. Hicks had the mindset of many African Americans during this time period. They were afraid of change which resulted in them not getting anything done. Instead of embracing new ideas and building each other up, they judged others and brought them down. In a way I feel as though this why many African Americans struggled because they did not support each other. This was an excellent topic you chose.
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