“She liked being lonesome for a change. This freedom feeling was fine.” (Hurston 90) Soon after the death of Jody Starks, Janie became her own woman again. She released her hair of those wretched rags and regained herself. “The weight, the length, the glory was there,” in her hair (Hurston 87). This shows Janie’s hair is a strong symbol of her confidence and her individuality. People all over are intrigued by Janie’s hair—that is why Jody forced her to keep it tied up. He felt threatened by that kind of power. Nevertheless, Janie was finally free to “do as she pleased.” (Hurston 89)
Janie’s individualistic nature, and glorious hair represents the generation gap between the mindset of women who were slaves and women who were not. Janie is perfectly fine with living her life without somebody telling her what to do. However, the townspeople (mostly the men) insisted “God never meant ‘em [women] tuh try tuh stand by theirselves.” (Hurston 90) Through Janie’s situation, Hurston is conveying that the African American women of that time were constantly looking for somebody to follow—like a slave master. The black women sought whatever “God” they could follow, whether it was Mayor Jody Starks or their own husband. Even Nanny wanted Janie to marry someone who would take care of here; So, she resultantly married Logan. However, Janie did not want to be ruled. She wanted to be free to live for herself, and not for anybody else. Few women during that time were similar in mindset to Janie because most of them were still stuck in the time of slavery.
Janie wanted to be her own person the entire time. Even when Nanny was alive she didn't know much about love but she did know she didn't want to be with Logan. That gives Janie a sense of dependence in this novel. She is able to think for herself and realize when something does not feel right to her. Janie is a strong woman and continues to show that.
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