Throughout history, women have been subjects of physical oppression and social prejudice in households and in public. Their lives have been limited to a single role – a certain lifestyle without an opportunity for freedom. Having lived in a patriarchal society, women such as Neale Zora Hurston have faced discrimination and subjugation by the men who have trapped them, refusing to give them equality. Hurston expresses her feelings about the unjust society through Janie Crawford’s words and actions thereby, revealing her dissatisfaction and restlessness. Though Janie is forced to abide by the ideals of the patriarchal society she lives in, throughout her life she reveals her independence psychologically and emotionally. Inspired to write this
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Indirectly she asserts her strong rebellious spirit into society by not only dressing in the way she pleases, but also through her hair style. She has “black hair swinging to her waist” (Ch1) which the whole town envies, yet censures her for. By having this long and straight Caucasian-like hair, Janie presents herself as independent and distinct from society. Her neighboring women consider it undignified of women that are of Janie’s age to wear their hair down and blatantly question, “What dat ole forty year ole ’oman doin’ wid her hair swingin’ down her back lak some young gal?” (Ch1). Her refusal to conform to these expectations reflect her bold figure and unwillingness to give in to society’s arbitrary customs. Through the town’s gossips the reader also learns that people, more specifically Janie’s husband, are threatened by the shape of her hair. In its braided form, Janie’s hair represents her refusal to be dominated by men and societal constraints; rather, her hair represents the power she possesses to evade such domination and it renders her as an independent. It’s no surprise that Jody is unsettled when Janie has her hair down and consequently forces her to tie it up. He feels threatened by Janie’s individualistic and attractive nature as Janie is able to attract men with her hair. For the first time, Janie is the one in “control”, not a
Indirectly she asserts her strong rebellious spirit into society by not only dressing in the way she pleases, but also through her hair style. She has “black hair swinging to her waist” (Ch1) which the whole town envies, yet censures her for. By having this long and straight Caucasian-like hair, Janie presents herself as independent and distinct from society. Her neighboring women consider it undignified of women that are of Janie’s age to wear their hair down and blatantly question, “What dat ole forty year ole ’oman doin’ wid her hair swingin’ down her back lak some young gal?” (Ch1). Her refusal to conform to these expectations reflect her bold figure and unwillingness to give in to society’s arbitrary customs. Through the town’s gossips the reader also learns that people, more specifically Janie’s husband, are threatened by the shape of her hair. In its braided form, Janie’s hair represents her refusal to be dominated by men and societal constraints; rather, her hair represents the power she possesses to evade such domination and it renders her as an independent. It’s no surprise that Jody is unsettled when Janie has her hair down and consequently forces her to tie it up. He feels threatened by Janie’s individualistic and attractive nature as Janie is able to attract men with her hair. For the first time, Janie is the one in “control”, not a