Perhaps an explanation for Joe's uncalled for actions: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/out-the-darkness/201208/why-men-oppress-women
Friday, November 20, 2015
Men Will Talk
Jody. Janie's good ol Jody. He wasn't all he was cracked up to be. At first he was her night in shining armor but he ended up being just like Logan, eventually. Joe like Logan thought that materials things were all you needed. To be showered with gifts so Janie's mind wouldn't wander to the actual love aspect in a relationship. It started off small, Janie hated working in the store but grew. She was his possession his robot. She would try to engage in conversation and Joe's reaction was always something along the lines of "She's uh woman and her place is in de home"(43). Joe was so controlling and didn't feel the same lust she did when she ran off with him. Joe was too busy gaining power that he didn't realize or care to realize he was also losing his wife. She often tried to show concern for their relationship for example she was concerned that all his new responsibilities left no time for their marriage. She asked "but don't yuh think it keeps us in uh kinda strain"(46). His response was just more excuses as to why he had to do what he had to do. He just wanted his town to be successful. It even seem like the town men were more appreciative of Janie than Joe was. Small things like not understanding why her beautiful hair had to be tied up. Or why she couldn't talk when she made a great deal of sense. All that was cool and all but Joe didn't think that was her place. There was no love in their relationship left. Their bed was just that and Janie never opened up to Joe. Communication was dwindling. When she publicly embarrassed Joe about his age after holding her tongue for an eternity he couldn't take it. It didn't help that she degraded him, a man of power, infront of people who wanted to be like him. Since he couldn't think of anything to say to make it seem like he had control of her he chose his last option. The only way he could still over power her; physically. He "struck Janie with all his might"(80). The events that follow this traumatic event aren't much of a surprise.
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I strongly agree with you. During the chapters Jody was "too busy gaining power that he didn't realize or care to realize he was also losing his wife". I feel as though Jody was very egotistical and narcissistic through out his time as a character. Jody focused on gaining power rather than enjoying his life with his wife with having enough power already.
ReplyDeleteKirsten, you make a valid point. After escaping from Logan's grip, Janie falls into the arms of Jody, her new high, the new addiction she is left to deal with. Jody had first spotted Janie and between the two of them lust had flourished. After moving into the "new town" Jody takes charge and makes changes, including the change in love and respect he had once had for his wife. Jody is mainly concerned with gaining power and showing it off. In the process he belittles his wife, and their love slowly dies out. Jody wants the power to control all matters, but Janie is one matter he can't fully control.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your perspective of these events completely. Janie left her ex husband because she was unhappy, only to find more sadness in another marriage. It seems like Janie is having some bad luck with the men she chooses. Janie needs to slow it down if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteAnd even still, after all he put her through, Janie still loved him. When Joe's kidneys began to fail, she sat at his bedside, against his will, to not only check up on him, but get some things off of her chest as well. The oppression of the woman lies deep within the tangled web of insecurities fostered by prideful men. It's certainly a defense mechanism of some sort, one that continues to baffle me, and I am a man. Great topic!
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