Chapters 9-10 By: Lizbeth Martinez and Kathleen McNeill
Plotline Chapter 9 - Joe's funeral occurs, everyone is there, and
it is regarded as a celebration - Janie seems to be sad but in
reality, she is happy - Janie burns all her head rags and puts her
hair in a braid - In the evenings Janie sits on the porch and
Hezekiah becomes in charge of the store - Janie ponders about
lonesomeness - a moment of self-reflection
- Janie admits that she hated her grandmother - None of the suitors
were able to gain access to the house porch - Ike Green sits on the
porch and warns Janie on marriage - Janie goes 6 months wearing
black and she is happy except that the store reminds her of Joe -
Hezekiah imitates Joe in almost every aspect and does the tasks
that Janie is unable to do - Janie starts wearing mourning white -
Admirers arrive from everywhere, but nobody is able to get further
than the store
- Janie is treated like a Empress of Japan - Pheoby and Janie have
a conversation regarding freedom
Plotline Chapter 10 - Hezekiah goes to the ball game, cautions
Janie and leaves Janie alone in the store - Janie decides to close
the store early - A man (Tea Cake) comes into the store who looks
familiar to Janie but does not tell Janie his name - He asks for
cigarettes and matches and gets Janie to laugh - He questions Janie
for not being at the ball game - He asks Janie to play checkers and
Janie finds herself “glowing inside” - The man and Janie play
checkers and he beats Janie at checkers - The man finally tells
Janie his name- Vergible Woods- Tea Cake - Tea Cake throws his hat
at Janie’s feet - Tea Cake stays with Janie, bantering with
everyone, until everyone leaves and helps her close up the store
and walks her home - Janie sits on the porch and watches the moon
rise
Extended Metaphor - Ships and Sea - “It was all according to the
way you see things. Some people could look at a mud-puddle and see
an ocean with ships.” (Page
89)
Extended Metaphor - Horizon - “She had been getting ready for her
great journey to the horizons in search of people; it was important
to all the world that she
should find them and they find her.” (Page 89) - “Here Nanny had
taken the biggest thing God ever made, the horizon--for no matter
how far a person can go the horizon is still
way beyond you--and pinched it in to such a little bit of a thing
that she could tie it about her granddaughter’s neck tight enough
to choke her.” (Page 89)
Extended Metaphor - Time - “She would have the rest of her life to
do as she pleased.” (Page 89) - “Joe ain’t had time tuh git cold
yet.” (Page 91) - “Ah mean, at dis present time it don’t come befo’
me. Joe ain’t been dead two months.” (Page 91) - “Dat’s whut you
say now, but two months mo’ and you’ll sing another tune.” (Page
91) - “Six months of wearing black passed and not one suitor had
ever gained the HOUSE PORCH. Janie talked and laughed in the
STORE at times, but never seemed to want to go further. She was
happy except for the STORE.” (Page 91) - “Another time she
overheard him using Joe’s favorite expression for pointing out the
differences between himself and the
careless-living, mouthy town.” (Page 92) - “She and Pheoby Watson
visited back and forth and once in awhile sat around the lakes and
fished.” (Page 93) - “No hurry. Such things take time to think
about, or rather she pretended to Pheoby that that was what she was
doing.” (Page 93) - “It was time for him to go but he didn’t. He
leaned on the counter with one elbow and cold-cocked her a look.”
(Page 95) - “Ah’ll come teach yuh some mo’ another time.” (Page 96)
- “If none don’t come, Ah got good shoe leather. ’Tain’t but seben
miles no how. Ah could walk dat in no time.” (Page 97) - “They
joked and went on till the people began to come in. Then he took a
seat and made talk and laughter with the rest until
closing time.” (Page 98) - “Ah reckon ah done over-layed mah
leavin’ time, but Ah figgured you needed somebody tuh help yuh shut
up de place.” (Page 98) - ““Who ever heard of uh teacake bein’
called Mister! If you wanta be real hightoned and call me Mr.
Woods, dat’s de way you feel
about it. If yuh wants tuh be uh lil friendly and call me Tea Cake,
dat would be real nice.” He was closing and bolting windows all the
time he talked.” (Page 98)
Extended Metaphor - Janie’s WORLD - “She sent her face to Joe’s
funeral, and herself went rollicking with the springtime across the
WORLD”(pg 88) - “Before she went to sleep that night she burnt up
every one of her head rags and went about the HOUSE next morning
with her
hair in one thick braid swinging well below her waist.” (Page 89) -
“She kept the STORE in the same way except of evenings she sat on
the porch and listened and sent Hezekiah in to wait on late
custom.” (Page 89) - “Most of the day she was at the STORE, but at
night she was there in the big HOUSE and sometimes it creaked and
cried all
night under the weight of lonesomeness.” (Page 89) - “Ike Green sat
on her case seriously one evening on the STORE PORCH when he was
lucky to catch her alone.” (Page 91) - “Ah’m gone tuh de HOUSE.”
(Page 91) - “Six months of wearing black passed and not one suitor
had ever gained the HOUSE PORCH. Janie talked and laughed in
the STORE at times, but never seemed to want to go further. She was
happy except for the STORE.” (Page 91) - “One day as she came in
the back door of the STORE she heard him bawling at Tripp Crawford,
“Naw indeed, we can’t do
nothin’ uh de kind! I god, you ain’t paid for dem last rations you
done et up. I god, you won’t git no mo’ outa dis store than you got
money tuh pay for. I god, dis ain’t Gimme, Florida, dis is
Eatonville.” (Page 92)
- “Men of property too among the crowd, but nobody seemed to get
any further than the STORE. She was always too busy to take them to
the HOUSE to entertain.” (Page 92)
- “She could close up the STORE herself this once.” (Page 94) - “Ah
guess standin’ in uh STORE do make uh person git tu be known in de
vicinity. Look lak Ah seen you somewhere”(Page
94) - “But it was no place to show her fear there in the darkness
between THE HOUSE and THE STORE.” (Page 99) - “So she sat on THE
PORCH and watched the moon rise. Soon its amber fluid was drenching
the earth, and quenching the thirst
of the day.” (Page 99)
Extended Metaphor - Feet - “She had been getting ready for her
great journey to the horizons in search of people; it was important
to all the world that she
should find them and they find her.” (Page 89 - “She had found a
jewel down inside herself and she had wanted to walk where people
could see her gleam it around” (page 90) - “God never meant ’em tuh
try tuh stand by theirselves.” (Page 90) - “Janie jumped upon her
feet.” (Page 91) - “So Ah got uh ride tuh where dis road turns off
from de Dixie Highway and walked over here and then Ah find out de
game is in
Winter Park.” (Page 95) - “Dey jes won’t stand fuh it.” (Page 96) -
“If none don’t come, Ah got good shoe leather. ’Tain’t but seben
miles no how. Ah could walk dat in no time.” (Page 97) - “Seben
miles is uh kinda long walk.” (Page 97) - “But Ah’m seen women walk
further’n dat.” (Page 97) - “He made an elaborate act of tipping to
the door stealthily. Then looked back at her with an irresistible
grin on his face. Janie
burst out laughing in spite of herself.’ (Page 97) - “He turned and
threw his hat at her feet” (Page 98)
Extended Metaphor - Eyes - “It was all according to the way you see
things. Some people could look at a mud-puddle and see an ocean
with ships.” (Page 89) - “Before Jody had been dead a month, she
noticed how often men who had never been intimates of Joe, drove
considerable
distances to ask after her welfare and offer their services as
advisor.” (Page 90) - “She’d laugh quietly at his no-harm posing
and pretend she didn’t see it.” (Page 92) - “Ah guess standin’ in
uh STORE do make uh person git tu be known in de vicinity. Look lak
Ah seen you somewhere”(Page 94) - “Ah’m easy tuh see on Church
Street most any day and night.” (Page 95) - “It was time for him to
go but he didn’t. He leaned on the counter with one elbow and
cold-cocked her a look.” (Page 95) - ““Well, Ah see somebody else
besides me ain’t dere. Ah just sold some cigarettes.” They laughed
again.” (Page 95) - “How about playin’ you some checkers? You looks
hard tuh beat.”(Page 95) - “He set it up and began to show her and
she found herself glowing inside.” (Page 95-96) - “Those full, lazy
eyes with the lashes curling sharply away like drawn scimitars.”
(Page 96) - “Yeah, but Ah wuz lookin’ off when you went and stuck
yo’ men right up next tuh mine.” (Page 96) - “You ain’t supposed
tuh look off, Mis’ Starks. It’s de biggest part uh de game tuh
watch out.” (Page 96) - “But Ah’m seen women walk further’n dat.”
(Page 97) - “Tea Cake! So you sweet as all dat?” She laughed and he
gave her a little cut-eye look to get her meaning.” (page 97) -
“You better try me and see.” (Page 97) - “He made an elaborate act
of tipping to the door stealthily. Then looked back at her with an
irresistible grin on his face. Janie
burst out laughing in spite of herself.’ (Page 97) - “Look how she
had been able to talk with him right off!” (Page 99)
Extended Metaphor - The Sun - “So they beat him down to nothing but
sparks but each little spark had a shine and a song.” (Page 90) -
“And the lonesomeness in the sparks make them hunt for one another,
but the mud is deaf and dumb. Like all the other
tumbling mud-balls, Janie had tried to show her shine.” (Page 90) -
“He set it up and began to show her and she found herself glowing
inside.” (Page 95-96)
Extended Metaphor - Hair - “Before she went to sleep that night she
burnt up every one of her head rags and went about the HOUSE next
morning with her
hair in one thick braid swinging well below her waist.” (Page
89)
Extended Metaphor - Mule-fur-Skin - “People on farm horses and
mules; babies riding astride of brothers’ and sisters’ backs.”
(Page 88)
Extended Metaphor - God - “Here Nanny had taken the biggest thing
God ever made, the horizon--for no matter how far a person can go
the horizon is still
way beyond you--and pinched it in to such a little bit of a thing
that she could tie it about her granddaughter’s neck tight enough
to choke her.” (Page 89)
- “When God had made The Man, he made him out of stuff that sung
all the time and glittered all over.” (Page 90) - “God never meant
’em tuh try tuh stand by theirselves.” (Page 90) - “One day as she
came in the back door of the STORE she heard him bawling at Tripp
Crawford, “Naw indeed, we can’t do
nothin’ uh de kind! I god, you ain’t paid for dem last rations you
done et up. I god, you won’t git no mo’ outa dis store than you got
money tuh pay for. I god, dis ain’t Gimme, Florida, dis is
Eatonville.” (Page 92)
Extended Metaphor - Mouths, war with words, kisses, laughter,
chewing, and a dish
- “Janie talked and laughed in the STORE at times, but never seemed
to want to go further. She was happy except for the STORE.” (Page
91) - “He had even taken to smoking, and smoking cigars, since
Joe’s death and tried to bite ’em tight in one side of his mouth
like Joe.” (Page 92) - “She’d laugh quietly at his no-harm posing
and pretend she didn’t see it.” (Page 92) - “Another time she
overheard him using Joe’s favorite expression for pointing out the
differences between himself and the careless-living, mouthy
town.” (Page 92) - “She laughed outright at that.” (Page 92) -
““Good evenin’, Mis’ Starks,” he said with a sly grin as if they
had a good joke together. She was in favor of the story that was
making him laugh
before she even heard it.” (Page 94) - “He broke the pack and
thrust one between his full, purple lips.” (Page 95) - “They both
laughed and she handed him two kitchen matches out of a box for
that purpose.” (Page 95) - ““Well, Ah see somebody else besides me
ain’t dere. Ah just sold some cigarettes.” They laughed again.”
(Page 95) - “She screamed in protest against losing the king she
had such a hard time acquiring.” (Page 96) - “They scrambled and
upset the board and laughed at that.” (Page 96) - “ She laughed and
he gave her a little cut-eye look to get her meaning.” (page 97) -
“She did something halfway between a laugh and a frown and he set
his HAT on straight.” (Page 97) - “He made an elaborate act of
tipping to the door stealthily. Then looked back at her with an
irresistible grin on his face. Janie burst out laughing in
spite of herself.’ (Page 97) - “She picked up the hat and threw it
after him with a laugh” (Page 98) - “They joked and went on till
the people began to come in. Then he took a seat and made talk and
laughter with the rest until closing time.” (Page 98) - ““ He was
closing and bolting windows all the time he talked.” (Page 98) -
“Look how she had been able to talk with him right off!” (Page
99)
Extended Metaphor - Darkness - “All things concerning death and
burial were said and done. Finish. End. Nevermore. Darkness. Deep
hole. Dissolution.
Eternity.” (Page 88) - “Inside the expensive black folds were
resurrection and life. She did not reach outside for anything, nor
did the things of death
reach inside to disturb her calm.” (Page 88) - “Before she went to
sleep that night she burnt up every one of her head rags and went
about the HOUSE next morning with her
hair in one thick braid swinging well below her waist.” (Page 89) -
“Most of the day she was at the STORE, but at night she was there
in the big HOUSE and sometimes it creaked and cried all
night under the weight of lonesomeness.” (Page 89) - “Before Jody
had been dead a month, she noticed how often men who had never been
intimates of Joe, drove considerable
distances to ask after her welfare and offer their services as
advisor.” (Page 90) - “Ah mean, at dis present time it don’t come
befo’ me. Joe ain’t been dead two months.” (Page 91) - “Six months
of wearing black passed and not one suitor had ever gained the
HOUSE PORCH. Janie talked and laughed in the
STORE at times, but never seemed to want to go further. She was
happy except for the STORE.” (Page 91) - “He had even taken to
smoking, and smoking cigars, since Joe’s death and tried to bite
’em tight in one side of his mouth like
Joe.” (Page 92) - “Ah’m easy tuh see on Church Street most any day
and night.” (Page 95) - “But it was no place to show her fear there
in the darkness between THE HOUSE and THE STORE.” (Page 99) - “He
tipped his hat at the door and was off with the briefest good
night.” (Page 99)
Extended Metaphor - Nature - “She sent her face to Joe’s funeral,
and herself went rollicking with the springtime across the
WORLD”(pg 88) - “She and Pheoby Watson visited back and forth and
once in awhile sat around the lakes and fished.” (Page 93) -
“Somebody thought it was natural for her to play.” (Page 96) - “De
name mah mama gimme is Vergible Woods. Dey calls me Tea Cake for
short.” (Page 97) - ““Who ever heard of uh teacake bein’ called
Mister! If you wanta be real hightoned and call me Mr. Woods, dat’s
de way you
feel about it. If yuh wants tuh be uh lil friendly and call me Tea
Cake, dat would be real nice.” He was closing and bolting windows
all the time he talked.” (Page 98)
- “So she sat on THE PORCH and watched the moon rise. Soon its
amber fluid was drenching the earth, and quenching the thirst of
the day.” (Page 99)
Extended Metaphor - Sweets - “Lemme go inside and help Hezekiah
weigh up dat barrel uh sugar dat just come in.” (Page 91) - “His
sense of ownership made him honest too, except for the occasional
jaw-breaker, or a packet of sen-sen.” (Page 92) - “De name mah mama
gimme is Vergible Woods. Dey calls me Tea Cake for short.” (Page
97) - “Tea Cake! So you sweet as all dat?” She laughed and he gave
her a little cut-eye look to get her meaning.” (page 97) - “You
needs ten pounds, Mr. Tea Cake.” (Page 98) - “Thankyuh, Mr. Tea
Cake.” (Page 98) - ““Who ever heard of uh teacake bein’ called
Mister! If you wanta be real hightoned and call me Mr. Woods, dat’s
de way you
feel about it. If yuh wants tuh be uh lil friendly and call me Tea
Cake, dat would be real nice.” He was closing and bolting windows
all the time he talked.” (Page 98)
- “Thank yuh, Tea Cake.” (Page 98) - “Tea Cake wasn’t strange.”
(Page 99)
Joe’s Funeral
Celebratory - Used or intended to publicly acknowledge a
significant or happy day or event; the townspeople all celebrated
Joe’s life while Janie celebrated his death
“The Little Emperor of the cross-roads was leaving Orange County as
he had come-with the outstretched hand of power.” (Page 88)
Joe is compared with a “Little Emperor”, and when combined with the
imagery of Joe’s “outstretched hand of power”, it shows his power
and influence over the town of Eatonville. This also demonstrates
that he had the money to be able to make the funeral into a big
party, a giant celebration. Joe’s power has caused the people of
Orange County to think very highly of him, implying that he has the
characteristics of royalty even within his funeral which is viewed
as a celebration to honor Joe’s successes. Hurston’s choice of
“cross-roads”, rather than just saying “road” or “town”, brings to
mind the idea of being at a major event, on the cusp of a big
change, in the lives of the townspeople. The town is losing their
mayor and are now faced with the decision of electing a new mayor.
Additionally, “cross-roads”, the intersection of two or more roads,
demonstrates Janie’s struggle because she is now faced with a major
decision about her future since her husband is gone. Janie has to
decide whether or not she wants to get married again or accept her
independence. This is ironic because the funeral of the a beloved
public figure should be a sad and somber affair, but instead
everyone is having fun and celebrating, especially Janie, his wife,
who should be grieving the most. Janie is actually extremely happy
at his funeral because it means she is now free of Joe and his
influence.
Metaphor, imagery, diction, and irony
Janie The imagery of Janie sending her face to Joe’s funeral
demonstrates how Janie is required to attend Joe’s funeral because
of her role as the mayor’s wife. The word “sent” displays Janie’s
lack of interest in attending Joe’s funeral because it’s just an
extension of Joe's influence which will only restrain her from
being able to express her happiness without judgment. “Rollicking”
means exuberantly lively and amusing. Hurston use of “rollicking”
rather than just saying “happy” or “lively” brings to mind to the
word “frollicking” which means to play in a frisky, light-mannered
manner. The imagery of Janie happily “rollicking” while at her
husband’s funeral introduces a juxtaposition and an irony. Hurston
juxtaposes “funeral” and “rollicking”--juxtaposing death and life,
sadness and happiness--startling the audience because people don’t
generally think of someone being happy at a funeral. On the
outside, Janie is not happy as evident when Hurston says, “she sent
her face to Joe’s funeral”. She plays the part of grieving widow,
when, in actuality, she isn’t exactly unhappy about her husband’s
death. This juxtaposition leads to the irony of Janie being happy,
having fun, and playing in her mind because she knows that she is
now free of Joe’s influence, when it is expected that she be
extremely upset at her husband’s funeral. In addition, Janie
struggles to reconcile her happiness at the freedom she now has the
chance to enjoy--the door to which was opened by the death of her
husband--with her unhappy facade that she must present to the world
because it is expected by society.
Free - Not under the control of another or in the power of another;
with Joe dead, Janie was no longer under the influence of her
husband
“She sent her face to Joe’s funeral, and herself went rollicking
with the springtime across the world.” Page 88
Imagery, diction, juxtaposition, and irony
The Store
The imagery of Janie wearing black for six months evokes sympathy
for Janie as the audience recognizes what she has lost. The “black”
also keeps all the suitors at arm's length as it reminds them that
she has only just recently lost Joe--which, ironically, she is in
fact happy about--and that they shouldn’t approach her yet about
possibly marrying her. The imagery of Janie wearing black also
embodies the sense of control, independence, and strength that
Janie has gained through Joe’s death--but to have full control of
her independence Janie must continue to appear as though she is
grieving--as demonstrated by Janie’s resistance to the efforts of
the suitors. “Suitor” implies a distance between Janie and these
men. It also implies that while they may be interested in her, she
has absolutely no interest in them. Hurston’s choice of “gained”
instead of “got to” gives the sense that the suitors have to earn
their right to the house porch, but it also implies that the porch
can be accessed, thus demonstrating the sense of hope that Janie
has in regards to future love. The “house porch” and the “store”
are the major pieces in her life at the moment, they are her world.
The store is like a barrier between Janie and the suitors because
it keeps everything public and lets the suitors know that she won’t
marry them because they haven’t been able to make the journey from
the store to her porch in order to truly reach Janie. This is
ironic because Janie feels trapped by and ruled by the store
because it constantly reminds her of Joe and, yet, it becomes her
sanctuary from the “well-wishing” men, most who she assumes will be
no better than Joe.
Protective - Capable of or intended to protect someone or
something; the store is a barrier between the suitors and
Janie
“Six months of wearing black passed and not one suitor had ever
gained the house porch. Janie talked and laughed in the store at
times, but never seemed to want to go further.” (Page 91)
Imagery, diction, extended metaphor, and irony
Hezekiah The biblical reference of Hezekiah’s name is a reference
to the son of the King Ahaz, who later became king himself.
Hezekiah’s father was one of the most wicked rulers that had
reigned as a result Hezekiah spends his reign repairing the damage
done by his father. After Joe’s death, Hezekiah takes over Joes
position in the store which is depicted by Hezekiah’s imitation of
Joes actions. The imagery reveals various ways that Hezekiah’s
behavior changed after Joe died. Hezekiah started acting like Joe,
just as a fanatic who acts like their idol. He starts smoking
cigars like Joe and tries to sit in Joe’s chair like he did. The
imagery also shows how Hezekiah admired Joe since he goes through
the effort of trying to be like him. The word “reared” amplifies
Hezekiah’s youth thus displaying the nature of children who imitate
those they admire. However, unlike Joe, Hezekiah’s intentions are
pure, as referenced by his name, since he is only trying to protect
Janie but without being abusive. The biblical name thus enhances
Joe’s harm caused by his excessive control. Therefore, Hezekiah’s
emulative behavior becomes a representation of the good that
replaces evil. It is ironic because Hezekiah was a better man, to
Janie at least, than Joe so one wouldn’t expect him to want to be
like Joe. Yet, there he is, trying to act like Joe because he
looked up to him, likely because of his success.
Emulative - Trying to equal or excel, imitating with effort to
equal or surpass; Hezekiah imitated Joe and wanted to be like
him
“ He had even taken to smoking, and smoking cigars, since Joe's
death and tried to bite 'em tight in one side of his mouth like
Joe. Every chance he got he was reared back in Joe's swivel chair
trying to thrust out his lean belly into a paunch.” (Page 92)
Allusion, imagery, diction, contrast, and irony
Tea Cake
The image of Tea Cake and Janie playing checkers provides the
setting. The imagery of “she found herself glowing inside” evokes
the visage of a very happy woman as evident by the word “glowing”.
“Glowing” is used as a representation of Janie’s internal
happiness. This happiness was brought about by Tea Cake because he
is nice and sweet to her; he makes her feel good about herself
despite the fact that Janie had only just met him and didn’t
actually know him at all. “Wanted”, despite the happy and hopeful
tone, shows Janie’s bitterness toward Joe since he had never let
her--he never “wanted” her--to play checkers. Hurston’s choice of
“natural”, rather than just saying “okay”, implies that Janie
playing checkers could have been unnatural, which most other people
would have thought it was. Tea Cake, on the other hand, was
perfectly fine with a woman playing checkers. This introduces the
irony because Tea Cake was the only one who saw Janie for who she
really was and wasn’t afraid of it. Sometimes, he even pushed her
to defy everyone else’s expectations. Ironically, everyone else
disapproved of their relationship because they thought they Tea
Cake couldn’t see Janie clearly because of her money, but in
reality, he actually saw her the clearest.
Sweet - Pleasing in general; Tea Cake is a very likable person and
people tend to take to him very easily due to his likable
nature
“He set it up and began to show her and she found herself glowing
inside. Somebody wanted her to play. Somebody thought it natural
for her to play.” (Page 95-96)
Imagery, diction, and irony
Hair Extended Metaphor Main Literary Device: Extended Metaphor
Other Literary Devices: Imagery, diction, irony
- “Night” is associated with darkness. In this case darkness
becomes representative of Joe’s control over Janie which is an
overall depiction of the oppression of African American women.
African American males were oppressed for an extended period of
time that they would release their frustration on African American
women in order to feel powerful.
- The imagery of Janie burning her head rags displays Janie’s
resentment towards Joe marking a shift in Janie’s character. Janie
doesn’t throw away her head rags she decides to burn them, every
single one of them. By burning her head rags, Janie is liberating
herself form Joe’s control by permanently eliminating the presence
of Joe which is embodied through the head rags.
- Head rags cover the hair and are meant to keep the hair in place.
During slavery many slave owners used head rags as an indication of
enslavement in order to establish control. Thus, Joe becomes
equated to a white slave owner. The “head rags” represent Janie’s
confinement due to the restraints imposed by Joe in order to
control Janie. Joe had made Janie tie her hair and kept her from
speaking, keeping Janie from being able to display her
individuality within her marriage.
- The shift from night to morning signifies Janie’s transition and
outlook on life after Joe’s death. Morning, marks the beginning of
a new day. Ironically Joe’s death becomes an opportunity for Janie
to be free and is viewed as a commencement of a new chapter in
which Janie is finally able to take full control of her life.
- Janie’s hair represents Janie’s individuality, her hair is often
the first thing that people notice due to its Caucasian
characteristics. By putting her hair in a braid Janie is finally
taking control of her individuality and independence. After Joe’s
death her hair is described as “thick” an indication of her
strength after having to endure years of subjugation. The imagery
of Janie’s hair swinging displays her excitement and profound
happiness. The connotation of the word “swinging” brings to mind an
image of a child thus Janie’s happiness is seemingly childlike
which highlights Janie’s deprivation of happiness within her
marriage and throughout her life.
“Before she slept that night she burnt up every one of her head
rags and went about the house next morning with her hair in one
thick braid swinging well below her waist.” (Page 89)
Spark Metaphor
Main literary device: metaphor Other devices: imagery,
alliteration, juxtaposition, and irony
- The jewel is Janie’s uniqueness, individuality, independence,
beauty, and strength. - Janie had been the property of her
grandmother. She had been sold to the highest bidder and she had
been forced to allow it to happen. - One man originally and no
mention of women. Hurston make man out to be happy, joyful, good,
and beautiful. The Man is better than
humans. This brings to mind the idea that no one is born evil,
despite what people think. It is only through the dark experiences
that people go through and their bad reactions to this darkness
that causes people to become evil.
- Hurston changes the Man into many men who are still good despite
the cruelty of their betters - Hurston changed many men into lots
of little humans, still good and beautiful. The only difference is
that now each is
individualized, they are their own person with their own will.
“Shine” is divine purpose and “song” is their path. - The angels
want to put down the sparks to assure themselves of their
superiority and covered them with filth, introducing darkness
into
the lives of humans. - Mud has all the colors of every race which
puts everyone on equal standing. This goes to show that Hurston was
trying to show
that no one is excluded from this journey to find their potential;
she wasn’t trying to limit this to black women only. - Humans
instinctively group together, but it’s hard because you can’t judge
whether someone is like you based on their appearance so
they tend to give up and let their sparks go out - Janie had
fumbled through life as best she could, trying to stay true to
herself even as society had tried to keep her down and
obscure
her shine. “Tumbling” implies chaos, like the chaos in life
“She had found a jewel down inside herself and she had wanted to
walk where people could see her and gleam it around. But she had
been set in the market-place to sell. Been set for still-bait. When
God had made The Man, he made him out of stuff that sung all the
time and glittered all over. Then after that some angels got
jealous and chopped him into millions of pieces, but still he
glittered and hummed. So they beat him down to nothing but sparks
but each little spark had a shine and a song. So they covered each
one over with mud. And the lonesomeness in the sparks make them
hunt for one another, but the mud is deaf and dumb. Like all the
other tumbling mud-balls, Janie had tried to show her shine.” (Page
90)
Spark Metaphor
- This section basically explains her entire reason for Janie’s
journey, the entire reason for Hurston writing the book.
- The spark is the god-like quality within humans, their divinity.
Some people, like Janie, are aware of it their whole lives. Some
see theirs once they see it in others. Others lose sight of it
completely or never see it because they get distracted by earthly,
material life and human darkness.
- Janie went on a journey throughout the book in an effort to
discover, understand, protect, and preserve this spark. This
journey is illustrated in this section. The angels are Janie’s
grandmother and Logan who tried to beat her down and keep her from
gaining her potential. This journey gives Janie her divine purpose,
her “shine”. Through this journey Janie finds perspective and
independence. She’s the first of her kind: powerful black women.
Her purpose, as she discovered on her journey, is to show other
woman her shine and convince them to find and nourish their own
shine. She’s starting with Pheoby, who she’s telling her story to,
because Pheoby is the only one who’s ready to hear what Janie has
to tell her.