Rejuvination in a Relationship

Rejuvenation in a Relationship

Often times (especially in today’s society), men and women are inclined to choosing their significant other based upon sheer first impression, especially that which is influenced by forms of media such as movies and television shows. However, in Janie’s case, such an influence is initially absent. Given Janie’s time period, the presence of media is miniscule (in comparison to our own time period), and it is therefore logical that she is presented as a stranger to love whom, through the essence of each relationship, undergoes a sort of “metamorphosis” that is ubiquitous throughout Their Eyes Were Watching God.  

Throughout Their Eyes Were Watching God, we are introduced to several themes encompassing the notion of love. One of such themes  is that of conflict within the relationship (specifically its influence upon both individuals), and in Janie’s case, this “theme” adapts concurrently with her ever-changing love interest. As Janie transitions from her love life with Logan Killicks to one with Jody Starks (and eventually Tea Cake), her behavior as a character appears to change as well. From a slight “spark” with Logan Killicks to her one interest who served as the impetus to her development as a character (Tea Cake), we observe Janie’s changing perspective of love itself as well as upon the world and with those whom she’d interacted with, and by the end of the novel, her archetypal portrayal as a self-made woman is justified.

As well as this, a theme of loyalty within the relationship is briefly introduced by Tea Cake when he says, “If Ah ever gits tuh messin’ round another woman it won’t be on account of her age. It’ll be because she got me in de same way you got me – so Ah can’t help mahself.” (Hurston 121). Pictured below is a quote relating the tradeoff between loyalty and “opportunity” that might present itself in one or many forms..