Disillusionment and Marriage

Janie as the main character of the story takes her first steps into womanhood in the novel when she marries Logan Killicks. The act itself presents considerable development for the plot of the story because Janie undergoes character growth. Her initiation and transitioning from girl to woman is characterized by the “Hero’s Journey” archetype; this is simply known as monomyth. However, Janie often wonders before her marriage is arranged by Nanny if she could realistically love Logan. Hurston makes it explicitly clear to the reader in the beginning of Chapter 3 that Janie is unsure, still naive as a young black female in a world that “…[made] a spit cup outa [them]” (Hurston 20). Janie was curious as well as nervous to get ready earlier on because she needed to know if marriage did “compel love like the sun the day” (Hurston 21). She soon would learn in the less-than-full year the answer to her question.

Janie quickly realizes that marriage was (and in many cases still is) not all that great. She experienced repeated, prolonged and painful disappointment in the near year she lives with Logan on his land. Janie goes into the marriage expecting the famed and mythical substance of ‘love’ to kick in and take over their lives, but sadly it never does. Janie often criticizes her new husband Mr. Killicks for forcing her to chop wood, no longer smiling at her, never “talking in rhymes” (Hurston 26), having mule-like toenails and overall disliking his presence very much. Janie complains to Nanny, who tells her to deal with it since it was the best she could offer before she died. It is then and only then that Janie finally realizes “marriage did not make love” (Hurston 25), and it was a lie all along.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt2Y78VgfNQ

Bringin' On The Heartbreak - Def Leppard 

This is a Youtube link to a hit 1980s pop rock/glam metal song by a popular band at the time: Def Leppard. This song is relevant to Janie's experience in realizing she is trapped in a loveless marriage because the speaker in the song deals with a painful love exchange with a past lover of his which is commonly known to be the result of unrequited love or "heartbreak"

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. 

Perhaps an explanation for Joe's uncalled for actions: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/out-the-darkness/201208/why-men-oppress-women

Envy

With power comes jealousy and envy. And as Eatonville’s first mayor, Jody Starks was sure to experience it first hand.

Just after reaching their destination of an all black town, Jody and Janie were almost sure that they were to get what they had dreamed so profusely; a buzzing community thriving in prosperity and success. Yet to their dismay, they were welcomed with the complete opposite, but a change was soon to come shortly upon arrival. As soon as they met the townspeople, the orders and demands had begun and the leadership had been established.

A great deal of the townsfolk didn’t take too kindly to the sudden changes. Among the irritated was Hicks. Hicks can be described as “the average mortal” (Hurston 39), and he despised the confidence displayed by Jody Starks. Witnessing the changes that Starks proposed to the citizens of Eatonville, Hicks began to foster a deep resentment towards Jody, as he found it troubling to “get used to the world one way and then suddenly have it turn different.”
(Hurston 39) As a result, Hicks would often impugn Starks’ capabilities.

Perhaps Hicks’ pessimism served as a coping mechanism. Hicks harbored a great pride, and seeing Starks’ accomplishments was like pouring salt on an open wound. However, is it possible that Hicks’ pride was a display masking the fact that he was truly jealous of Starks’ confidence?  It hurt to look at someone getting things done as he sat idling, but it pained Hicks even more to look within himself and realize that he was practically good for nothing.

https://365reasons2sober.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/jealousy-is-just-a-lack-of-self-confidence.jpg
The weight that insecurity has on the conscious is truly significant. A lack of self-confidence can drive a man to different extremes, and exhibiting jealousy is among the most prominent.

The Generation Gap

SHAKESPEARE

The article linked above explains a universal archetype made world known by William Shakespeare, particularly in Romeo and Juliet: the generation gap. The Montague and Capulet parents attempt to instill the same animosity toward the opposing family in their children, though the teenagers find no reason for such hate. Shakespeare exaggerates on the contrasting views of old and young as Hurtson does in Chapter three with Nanny and Janie.

Nanny as a former slave reasons hardheadedly about marriage. For her, it is the gateway to a higher social standing. Contrastingly, Janie’s naivety and more privileged upbringing evoke her yearning for love, passion, and desire. When the two discuss Janie’s love affairs with Logan, Nanny disbelieves Janie’s unhappiness to be married to someone she does not love. If Janie has protection and financial security to last her a lifetime, how could she possibly be unhappy? The idea alone should infatuate her, yet Janie shows almost disgust for the man in the way she describes his physical features.

When Nanny attempts to reason with Janie, she remarks “Grandma done been long uh few roads herself” (Hurtson 24). This comment implies wisdom, but it is controversial whether Grandma has the wisdom to lead Janie toward the right path. Nanny’s perspective is based on her hardships at Janie’s age, decades apart from each other. Kurtson acknowledges Nanny’s aging bones in a poetic way when she eloquently states, “Nanny entered this infinity of conscious pain on her old knees” (Hurtson 24). Nanny’s dying soul is ironically similar to how her viewpoints on marriage are becoming dead in society.

 

 

Who is Joe Starks?

Joe Starks is a charismatic, charming character who knows his dreams in life and is fearless and confident that he will achieve them; “They would… talk about when he would be a big ruler of things with her reaping the benefits” (page 29). The reader watches as he makes Janie live in his shadow because he believed that “the mayor’s wife is somethin’ different again” (page 61). Joe loves to be in control, that is why he doesn’t allow Janie to go to public gatherings, such as the mule’s funeral; he too afraid that she may tarnish his reputation. His thirst for control prompts him to rule more like a dictator “he’s got a throne in the seat of his pants” (page 49). The people felt like they were taken advantage of by Starks because he bought “little lady-size spitting pot for Janie to spit in” (page 47). The people definitely skeptical of him because “when one of your own color could be so different it put you on a wonder” (page 48).


 Despite his dark side, Joe has a soft side. He masks his compassion and care for Janie in harshness. He is very observant; when he saw a man touching Janie’s hair in the store he orders her to wear it up; he does this to protect her out of love, not to punish her. Also, he observes Janie’s disgust of people mistreating a mule, so Joe buys the mule from Matt for Janie as a way of saying he loves her. Overall, Joe Starks’ character is a very strong leader and loves to be in control. He only wants what is best for Janie and does all he can to protect her.

Ungrateful Men

            Chapter four of the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God introduces a problem many women in the world face today with their spouses. This problem is men getting too comfortable, and not doing the things they used to do when it comes to things for their wives. It was something that can   easily be picked up on because  many have seen similar instances in movies on Lifetime. Marriages such as this one in the novel or in the modern day movies all start out happy until something changes whether it is adultery or simply unhappiness with one another, either way the ending isn't as great as the beginning. How could a marriage remain strong and healthy if the spouses are not happy with each other?
          In chapter four,  Janie's first husband Logan begins to boss her around which makes Janie's already bad perception of her husband lessen. Janie grows sick of being ordered around by Logan which leads to continuous arguments of the two. Logan feels as though Janie has been "spoilt" (Hurston 26) and he will continue to spoil her but he still requests her help. Logan felt that he should not do all the work alone and that she could contribute a little more than what she was. Keep in mind that during this time, it was not really common for wives to do the farm work or work outside their homes. Janie was supposed to be a loving housewife taking care of the inside chores and children who were nonexistent. Nanny thought she was leaving her granddaughter in good hands with Logan, little did she know that he was no good for her granddaughter.
            Janie then crosses paths with a young male eventually becoming her second husband after finally being fed up with Logan. Joe Starks is the ideal man that Janie always imagined having. Hurston does a good job of describing his characteristics and features so that the reader knows Janie has a strong interest in this man. Joe Starks sweeps Janie off her feet by saying "Ah wants to make a wife outta you" (Hurston 29). By reading Janie's reactions and actions after Joe confesses his love, the reader is signified through the text that Janie finally finds happiness and a man who appreciates her and doesn't judge her by her past and family experiences.



           

"Gointer Love Him"

  As the novel progresses we start to learn more about Janie. We see her go from man to man, searching for certain attributes to fulfill her wants and needs. Janie no longer desires to be with  Logan, she didn't really love him. She told Nanny, "you told me Ah mus gointer love him, and, and Ah don't. Maybe if somebody was to tell me how, Ah could do it."(Hurston 23) Janie was not really sure if she was capable of loving Logan. She meets "Jody" Starks, who she sees as better looking, with more money and bigger ambitions. He filled more of Janie's expectations in a man, compared to Logan. She described Logan as having toe nails that "look lak mule foots." Janie searched for who she could connect with more easily, and it was Jody now. "Janie pulled back a long time because he did not represent sun-up and pollen and blooming trees", but "He spoke for far horizon. He spoke for change and chance."(Hurston 29) She wasn't sure how it would feel to deal with him regularly but she saw the "change" in the "chance" she would take with him. 

  Jody is a symbol of "power" because he tends to show the authoritative side of him. Janie seems to like Jody's "powerful" ways. She hopes it will give her a better life than the one she had with Logan. Jody ends up creating a different woman out of Janie. He becomes mayor and turns Janie into a woman with such a lavish lifestyle. He shows his controlling side when he doesn't let her give a speech. Even the townspeople noticed how Janie had changed around Jody. They notice her long hair pinned up and figured "maybe he make her do it."(Hurston 50) 

 When I think of Janie's situation I think of the movie "The Perfect Guy" because the movie is based on a woman who leaves her current relationship for one she thought would be better for her, but ends up being something that isn't necessarily for her...

A Slave Owner can be Black

    "They bowed down to him rather, because he was all of those things, and then again he was all of these things because the town bowed down to him." (page 50)
     What suddenly makes a person the leader? Is it appearance over disposition, or brains over brawn, or wealth over impoverishment? One strong aspect is the driving force in the unconscious choosing of a leader, who you put above yourself before even realizing that you have. There is something about Joe Starks that has the town of Maitland, avowedly "bowing" down and it may not just be about his beautiful wife and two story home that "looked like servants' quarters" (page 47). And yes, that is ironic in more ways than one. However, everyone in town speaks highly of the mayor, Joe Starks - ""Our beloved Mayor,"" but "it was one of those statements that everybody says but nobody actually believes..." (page 48) The town folk began to talk about him on his own front porch - because you couldn't say those kind of things directly to your beloved. No, one must only talk about "de devil" only when he was away sorting the mail.
     What really seemed to make Joe Starks the leader is how he made himself the leader. From the moment he entered Maitland he had announced that there must be a mayor, and the next moment -look no further- he was the mayor, and when he said that there must be a town post office, he became the post master. Starks has no time to wait, after all the towns' name is Maitland and not Waitland. Moreover, the fact that the other black folk can "feel the switch in his hand when he's talkin," (page 49) to them is enough proof that the way he views himself determines the way the others view themselves, and although they can talk all they want about "slavery being over"(page 47) they were sure going to continue listening to "Mayor--post master--landlord--storekeeper" Joe Stark because "he's de wind and" they're "de grass."(page 49)
   
   

The Mule

In the sixth chapter of the novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God" the story about Matt Bonners mule is introduced. Immediately the reader is able to identify the symbolism of the mule. Mules always tend to be overworked and under appreciated such as this one. Bonners mule in particular is treated horribly succumbing to the cruel tendencies of its owner. They are overworked and enslaved just like Janie. They are both bound to a life that they don't want to be apart of anymore. Janie just like the mule, wants to escape a discover a new world of freedom and happiness rather than regret and sorrow. 

Through this symbol we are also able to see the development of in character of both Janie and Jody. Jody at the beginning of the novel was charming and intriguing leading Janie to break her marriage to Logan. Yet once in the relationship we see his true egotistical tendencies. He tries to buy Janie’s love just like how he bought the mule. Because of Jody’s ways we see the change in Janie’s character strengthening the comparison between her and the mule. As the mental abuse grows the more secluded Janie gets ultimately strengthening her urge to escape. She wanted to scream but instead she succumbed to the “silent rebellion” taking place in her mind (Hurston 54).  These events show the strength of Janie’s character, to be able to deal with all of this heartbreak and still persevere.

Janie's growth as a character despite all of the hardships that she has faced reminds me of the song "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. No matter what is happening or what difficulties there are, eventually things will be positive once more. Just how Janie is riding the roller coaster that is life. There will be misfortunes and failed marriages but soon enough everything will be back to normal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k8craCGpgs

Eatonville Slaves

            As the story continues, the readers begin to become more familiar with Joe Starks. From the beginning readers can tell Stark has a very controlling nature. He wants to be mayor of the town and treats Janie like a trophy wife. However, after reading about what the people of the town have to say about him, the novel makes it similar to slavery.

            It appears that Joe Starks is trying to be like his “used-to-be boss man” (46).  In a sense he wants to be white. He wants to be master. Hurston makes several references of this. The town’s people whisper that “You kin feel a switch in his hand when he’s talkin’ to yuh” (49). The way Joe speaks and acts intimidates people. When Joe Starks speaks, he likes to be heard and he likes to be obeyed. He talks “to folks wid books in his jaws” (49). Joe makes the town’s people feel inferior by degrading them with all of his knowledge. This makes the town’s people feel as though they know nothing and need to follow him.

Constantly Joe Starks states that he wants to make a difference in Eatonville, he wants to be a “big voice” (46), but in reality he just wants land to rule. Take the description of his house for instance. Zora Neale Hurston describes it as looking like the “big house” (47), with the “rest of the town [looking] like servants’ quarters” (47). As mayor, Joe Starks owns Eatonville and the people are just his servants. When Joe demands, the people bow-down without daring to challenge him just like slaves. 

 

http://usslave.blogspot.com/2012/07/philip-morgan-early-american-slave.html

This picture depicts how a master is watching his slaves work; this image is similar to how the people of Eatonville view John Stark.

  



Janie vs. Ophelia: Inexperience

Ophelia, from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, and Janie share distinct qualities in which they are both inexperienced and naïve. The female characters carry out their part in similar environments of male influence and lack of a motherly figure. Hurston does mention Janie’s mother in the novel, but she does not have a large presence throughout Janie’s life. Since Janie is the product of rape, her mother Leafy, took towards the life of alcoholism. Nanny says to Janie, “And after you was born she took to drinkin’ likker and stayin’ out nights” (Hurston 19). Shakespeare never brought a mother figure into the play for Ophelia, leaving both Janie and Ophelia among the presence of solely men. Hamlet being published around 1600 and Their Eyes Were Watching God in 1937 shows a great time difference, yet the two female characters possess similar qualities and face comparable obstacles.

The two girls are very young in age, most likely around their early teenage years, which contribute to their inexperience in life. Both Hurston and Shakespeare throw the girls into an environment suited for women twice their age, but the time periods the play and novel are set in allow for these occurrences. In Janie’s situation Nanny assigns her a husband and Ophelia faces conflict whether to choose her brother and father whom she is loyal to or her lover, Hamlet. Janie faces similar conflict regarding whether she stay loyal to her husband Killicks or leave for a better man, Starks. “S’posin’ Ah was to run off and leave yuh sometime” (Hurston 30). Ophelia and Janie similarly face conflicts with the men in their lives with no mother to guide them thus causing inexperience to take over. The Disney film Alice and Wonderland incorporates a female character resembling the inexperience present in both Ophelia and Janie.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q93VrYOXSe8

Alice, from Alice in Wonderland, does not face all the conflicts Ophelia and Janie do, but she does possess the quality of inexperience. She decides to follow a rabbit towards its habitat and run into trouble.  The video portrays her falling down the large rabbit hole filled with strange household items. Not realizing the potential dangers of following the animal contributes to her inexperience.

 

Mistreatment of Women

Logan Killicks, the man that once loved Janie unconditionally, becomes an arrogant figure that tends to “bully” Janie. He treats her as if she were a possession, as if she was like his mule. Although Logan does care for his wife, he has his own abusive form of affection. Logan views black woman as if they were from Janie’s grandmother's time, when a black woman was satisfied to play the lowest role in society.   Logan continues to develop into a monster of a husband, threating to kill his own wife. “Ah’ll take holt uh dat ax and come in dere and kill yuh!” (Hurston 31).  He knows Janie is a spoiled girl “You done been spoilt rotten.” (Hurston 26), and he fails to treat her as a woman of society. It is not long before Janie leaves Logan for another man, a man of great power and control, Jody Starks.

Jody Starks, the handsome, caring gentleman comforts Janie with lines such as “A pretty doll-baby lak you is made to sit on de front porch” (Hurston 29). Janie eventually realizes that Jody Starks isn’t the man she expected him to be. He is a conceited, power-hungry politician whose main focus is to dominate his surroundings. As Jody grows more comfortable with Janie, his true character begins to reveal itself. Both husbands of Janie portray the typical man of the 1900s. They show little to no respect for woman by belittling them and treating them as if they were at the bottom of the social class.  The film “Enough” depicts the idea of a man mistreating a woman. The antagonist (the husband) in this film consistently attacks his wife. His abusive characteristics lead her into fleeing their home. This man portrays both Jody and Logan, maybe not physically abusing Janie, but mentally.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl2r8hyUuRg

 

             In this part of the film, Slim (Jennifer Lopez) and her husband are in the middle of an argument. Her husband reaches a breaking point which leads to him smacking her and punching her in the face, knocking her to the ground. Her husband portrays both Jody and Logan, in that they’re abusive and see themselves as a higher power. “I’m a man honey, it’s no contest.”

 

 

New Beginnings

During Janie’s marriage to Logan Killicks, she realizes how unhappy she is with him. Janie spent much time contemplating her loveless marriage and when she one day meets a man named Joe Starks, she makes her decision to leave Killicks. This decision Janie has made is representative of new beginnings. After Nanny dies, Janie realizes she has no one left to love, besides Logan Killicks, but Janie refuses to give him her love. Killicks believes in male dominance and often bosses Janie around, commanding her to help him with his house chores but Janie is reluctant to obey him, arguing “You ain’t done me no favor by marryin’ me. And if dat’s what you call yo’self doin’, Ah don’t thank yuh for it.” (Hurston, 31). When Janie finally has enough of this, she runs off to a new town with Joe Starks and they start a new life together. Starks could tell that Janie was unhappy and trapped in a loveless marriage, and so this change was a new beginning for Janie. Choosing to run away from Logan Killicks, either with or without Joe Starks was something Janie had to do for herself. She thinks to herself “Even if Joe was not there waiting for her, the change was bound to do her good.” (Hurston, 32). Logan Killicks’ behavior towards Janie is emotionally abusive and so she made the decision to run away to help protect herself, and her happiness. The death of Nanny and her escape from him signifies one part of her life coming to an end and another part that is just beginning. Hurston emphasizes this change with the concluding sentence of chapter 4, “They sat on the boarding house porch and saw the sun plunge into the same crack in the earth from which the night emerged.” (Hurston, 33), which is a metaphor for the new changes that are being made in Janie’s life. 

This quote is significant to this part of the story because it relates to Janie’s regret and how she often wishes that she would have never married Logan Killicks in the first place, but finds hope when she runs off with Joe Starks.

Narcissistic Jody Stark

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.

Off to the Races!

     Soon after her marriage to Logan, Janie quickly discovered that “marriage did not make love,” and essentially, she did not want to be with her husband (Hurston 25). So, not even a year into their marriage, Janie meets a new man, Joe Starks, with whom she runs away with. This event along with the statement Nanny made earlier, “You just wants to hug and kiss and feel around with first one man and then another, huh?” (Hurston 13) foreshadows that Janie will most likely meet different men and never stay committed to one relationship. Janie’s lack of parents as a guide for how she should live a respectable, married life will cause her to stay on the run. Even though Nanny tried her hardest to teach her, Janie is still influenced by the world's increasing liberties for women and her lack of guidance. She will never settle down and stay married. The very beginning of the novel even shows that Janie does not get married to Tea Cake, and she is a disgrace to the neighborhood because of it. 

This theme within the novel connects to the song “Off to the Races” By Lana Del Rey. The song describes a girl who has a “flat broke down life” who is with a man who gives her “gold coins,” and “chases her all over town” (Del Rey). Joe Starks persuades Janie to escape her bothersome husband to live a novel life with him. He “buys her the best things” (Hurston 34) and together they went to new towns. Janie also raises “hell all over town” (Del Rey) with her lack of marriage. She is the topic of gossip among many of the women. The title of the song also specifically relates to Janie because “off to the races” means starting anew, which is what she decides to do. Essentially, this song portrays a girl who has a messy life and is confident about it, so she continues to live happily with whoever her mate is; this girl represents Janie. 

This is a link to the lyrics of "Off to the Races."

Jody Starks is no Jay Gatsby

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.

Archetype & Symbol

Joe Starks is an archetype of a leader and “bringer of light”. He is the hope of the new town, their “savory” and has come to fix all their problems. Joe Starks shows up to town, but it is "nothing but a raw place in de woods" (34). Because it is so unorganized everyone fall in line behind him. Unanimously "... Brother Starks [was made] Mayor until [they] kin see further" (43).  He proceeds to sets up a post office and grocery store. He even goes as far as setting up lamps, so that the town will never be dark. Finally Eatonville is starting to look like a real town.

Joe wants himself and the town to be recognized. In Joe’s speech, he says “ … if we want any light after de settin’ or befo’ de risin’, is tush make some light ourselves” (45). He is addressing the community saying that we cannot sit back because no one will do it for us, we must go out and do it ourselves. This town breaks down the stereotype that blacks need "white master" because they cannot function civilly on their own. The light also symbolizes African Americans escaping the limelight prior to the Civil War.  For the first time, African Americans are seen as American citizens rather than slaves.

The light from the lamp is a beacon drawing in other African American. This is a safe place for renewal. It is “de first lamp in de color town” (45). The picture below shows how the light stands out; people will notice it for miles. Joe wants everyone to see the light and the town.

Unpredictability of Life

In recounting Janie’s experiences past her first marriage to Logan Killicks, Hurston incorporates a recurring theme of the unpredictability of life that is utterly unique to the novel’s previous events (more specifically - the concepts of death and ‘moving on’, so to speak). The theme consistently encompasses Janie’s love experience so much to the point of contrasting with her previous state of naivety found in her earlier years. This Hamlet-reminiscent concept even offers us a vague reminder of Shakespeare’s Ophelia.

Following the passing of Nanny (a figure whom has stood as an adept mentor who is no stranger to life’s most gruesome experiences), it seems as if significant individuals in Janie’s life follow suit. After Janie renews her acquaintance with love itself in Joe ‘Jody’ Starks (who genuinely serves as an archetype of a stereotypical politician), she experiences a newfound hope for a better future that is, unfortunately, once again yanked from her grasp when she discerns that he is oblivious to his own controlling nature. In doing so, Hurston in a sense integrates some dramatic irony in which neither Janie nor Jody are cognizant of their situation. Hurston makes this apparent on page 71, stating. “Time came when she fought back with her tongue as best as she could, but it didn’t do her any good. It just made Joe do more. He wanted her submission and he’d keep on fighting until he felt he had it.” (Hurston 71). It is on this very same page that Hurston truly exposes the fading (once again - ‘moving on’!) nature of her second love through the means of a metaphor, writing, “The bed was no longer a daisy-field for her and Joe to play in. It was a place where she went and laid down when she was sleepy and tired.” (Hurston 71).

The concept of life’s unpredictability is an omniscient truth that can be portrayed in a multitude of ways, for each human being interprets feelings of shock in their own unique way. Pictured below is a quote from Pixar’s 2007 film Ratatouille that highlights this particular paradox.