After reading up
to chapter 7 in Their Eyes Were Watching
God the character Jody Starks was introduced. Through out the chapters Jody
Starks motivations become very clear- he wants power over people. “Thank yuh
fuh yo’ compliments, but my wife don’t know nothin’ bout no speech-makin’. Ah
never married her for nothin’ lak dat. She’s uh woman and her place is in de
home” (Hurston 43). Jody Stark can be considered a bully. Jody continues to put
down others in order to feel empowered or even better than someone else. For
example, “Stop mixin’ up mah doings wid mah looks, Jody. When you git through
tellin’ me how tuh cut uh plug uh tobacco, then you kin tell me whether mah
behind is on straight or not” (Hurston 78). Stark has little respect for Jamie
as shown in the story. Jody’s character can be described as a typical male
figure during the time period of 1937. He belittles women while having zero respect
for them. As a character Jody believes he is superior to women, this is shown
through out his interactions with Jamie. “Somebody
got to think for women and chillun and chickens and cows. I god, they sho don’t
think none theirselves" (Hurston 67). Jody Stark is an egotistical,
narcissistic, and a megalomaniac character. Jody attempts to dominate
everything and everyone around him. Jody Stark seems to only be happy when he
feels that he hold power over the people around him. For example, owning the
title of Mayor. Jody expresses his need to be a force of “irresistible
maleness” in order for people to respect and worship him.
I could not agree more!!! In today's society, Jody would be the one belittled for his mistreatment of people in general. He believed he was Mr. Big-Shot ever since he and Janie walked on the land of Eatonville. Not only is he a modern-day robber baron, but a flat out bully.
ReplyDeleteJody is definitely narcissistic in the story and he shows little respect for women. This is shown most when he doesn't let Janie make a speech. I agree when you say he belittled everyone else in order for him to feel empowered. I love the connection Tinah made about him being a modern day robber baron, he has his greedy ways for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that Jody cares about is his image. I completely agree with your previous observations, his egotistical tendencies destroys Janie and his' relationship. What he thinks is helping Janie ultimately is what is making her more secluded. Nothing he does is for the good of Janie, it is only for the good of himself.
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