In Chapters 5 and 6, Hurston reveals a new dimension to Jody Starks' character. Starks, who at first "bow[ed] down tuh love... straightens up" (Hurston 23). In the beginning, his love for Janie was promising. She thought that through Jody her dreams to succeed would come true. Unfortunately, Mrs. Starks was mistaken. When the couple arrived at Eatonville the true side of Jody began to appear.
The stereotypical businessman or politician is one who is ‘power-hungry’ and ‘money-greedy’. They treat people as objects and believe everyone else is beneath them. After only a few short weeks, Jody has become one of them.
Throughout the two chapters a sharp contrast between Jody Starks and the infamous Jay Gatsby becomes present. Although both characters in the novels are businessmen, the townspeople somewhat turn against them, and they flood their significant others with lavish items;Mr. Starks is no Mr. Gatsby.
Unlike Gatsby, Starks flaunts his wealth instead of caring for his partner. Janie’s hair is not like the other women in the village. Her long hair not only shows her “whiteness” but intrigues men. As the green eyed monster takes over, Jody makes her tie her hair with a rag whilst working in the store (Hurston 49). He also believes Janie is inadequate of thinking for herself and tells her this in the middle of the store. “Somebody got to think for women and chillun and chickens and cows. I god, they sho don’t think none theirselves” (Hurston 71). Want a sure fire way for your wife to be mad at you? Embarrass her in front of people she knows.
Gatsby cared for Daisy. He gave her the world, respected her decisions, and never let money be the apple of his eye. He was a true gentleman even when he could not flaunt their relationship in public. Jody flaunted Janie to the public in luxurious outfits, but their relationship faltered because instead of helping Janie grow, he was merely a block in the road.
The gif represents how love is a cycle of reciprication, whilst the photos describe the passion of what love in an ideal relationship should be - no matter how much wealth or fame is invloved.
I agree that Gatsby and Starks are foils of each other; however, I believe it is also important to note how similar Jody Starks and Mr. Tom Buchanan (Daisy's husband) are. Both the females are stuck married to them and these husbands constantly hurt them. Like the Starks, the Buchanan's relationship seemed luxurious and flawless but Tom constantly cheated on Daisy.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great observation of parallelism between the two texts. Jody's flaw is definitely his lack of love for Janie; he treats her as an accessory to enforce his superiority over everyone else, not as a woman. Gatsby, unlike Jody, treats Daisy like a princess, doing nothing out of vain desires to make himself look better.
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