In Zora Neal Hurston’s, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie went through a series of metaphorical stages that transformed the way she viewed life; her journey towards independence required her to depart from Logan, battle for her voice with Jody, and finally to achieve individuality with Teacake. Throughout Janie and Jody’s relationship, Janie was constantly silenced by Jody’s dominating personality. Jody treats Janie as if she were an animal that has no mind. For example, Jody silenced Janie by saying “Thank yuh fuh yo’ compliments, but mah 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 40). Jody does not believe that Janie is smart enough to
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Jody’s aggressive personality was revealed when he demanded that Janie wear her hair up. Janie’s hair symbolizes how important she can be because it resembles the all “powerful” white man. By making Janie wrap her hair, Jody is exhibiting a possessive behavior. He does not want any other man admiring Janie’s beautiful hair because he knows that all of those men want Janie as a wife. Jody is jealous of the admiration that these men have for Janie, therefore he makes Janie cover up her greatest asset. With Jody’s jealousy, comes the physical and verbal abuse towards Janie. He embarrasses her by mentioning her sagging butt and old age in front of several people from the community. In that case, Jody was deflecting his aging appearance by drawing the attention to Janie. Another instance of abuse was when Jody hit Janie because she ruined dinner. These examples show how Jody wants Janie to feel like she is the lesser spouse. Although, when Jody is on his deathbed, Janie is able to tell Jody that he prevented her from loving him because of his endless power. Janie finds the strength to say “You got tuh die, and yuh can’t live” (Hurston 81). Jody was finally the weaker of the two; Janie told Jody what he is
Jody’s aggressive personality was revealed when he demanded that Janie wear her hair up. Janie’s hair symbolizes how important she can be because it resembles the all “powerful” white man. By making Janie wrap her hair, Jody is exhibiting a possessive behavior. He does not want any other man admiring Janie’s beautiful hair because he knows that all of those men want Janie as a wife. Jody is jealous of the admiration that these men have for Janie, therefore he makes Janie cover up her greatest asset. With Jody’s jealousy, comes the physical and verbal abuse towards Janie. He embarrasses her by mentioning her sagging butt and old age in front of several people from the community. In that case, Jody was deflecting his aging appearance by drawing the attention to Janie. Another instance of abuse was when Jody hit Janie because she ruined dinner. These examples show how Jody wants Janie to feel like she is the lesser spouse. Although, when Jody is on his deathbed, Janie is able to tell Jody that he prevented her from loving him because of his endless power. Janie finds the strength to say “You got tuh die, and yuh can’t live” (Hurston 81). Jody was finally the weaker of the two; Janie told Jody what he is