Self-Actualization In Joe And Janie By Zora Neale

In the novel Joe and Janie are unequal mainly because Janie is a female and Joe is a male. In society women are often restricted, or limited when it comes to growing mentally. Men in society were often placed with the belief that they are the more masculine figures therefore, they have a more power over women in their eyes. In the novel, Janie is disproportionately placed at a disadvantage because of her gender, for examples, the author says, “Joe spoke out without giving her too say anything one way or another” (Neale 43). Joe, being the more masculine than Janine, treats his wife as if she does not have as much power as he does. Joe treats Janie like women are supposed to be treated in society, because of the fact that she is a women this prevents Janie from growing mentally. Although Joe puts his wife at a disadvantage, it is not intentional because of how society has rooted sexism in society. However, even though the setbacks Joe places on Janie are indirect does not mean they are ignored, because soon they start to realize how …show more content…
Most men in society do not have to go through as long of a journey of self-actualization like women do because they are not the ones met with the social disadvantages. Since Men do not have anyone preventing their journey of self-actualization they mentally grow faster than women, cause them to gain that feeling of superiority over women preventing the women to grow. A example in the novel where women are slowed down in their journey is when Jody says, “You oughta be glad, cause that makes an big woman out of you” (Neale 46). Jody was slowed down in her journey for self-actualization because she believes that where women are then is where they should be. Jody growing up with having a man stronger and more superior over her shows her lack of self-actualization. However, Jody's lack of self-actualization being a woman sparks Janie's growth in her own