Their Eyes Were Watching God: week 2
Post your second response by Tuesday, February 13. Throughout the week, engage in discussion by replying to a combination of six posts and replies.
The Road: Week 3
Post your second response by Tuesday, February 20. Throughout the week, engage in discussion by replying to a combination of six posts and replies.
Chapters 6-14 in the book, "Their Eyes Were Watching God" written by Zora Neale Hurston, we start to learn a lot more about the lifestyle of people back then. A good example of lifestyles of people is when the mule passes away and the Mayor, along with the town make jokes of it like it wasn't a living, hard working animal at one point. Also during the time of the ceremony, Mayor Jody made Janie stay home because he didn't feel like she belonged there in the mess. I believe that if this occurred recently then the women would be the ones mourning the loss of the mule and the men would be the ones to stay home. The culture is so different back then compared to now. Men back then also didn’t like to show their woman off, Jody was jealous of the other men that awed over Janie’s hair but now men tend to show those features about their women off.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there has been a vast change in our culture. People were strictly traditional back in the 1900s. Women were always subdued by men and followed them blindly. How do you believe Janie's life would be different if the book took time in a more modern time period?
DeleteI agree, this book is very traditional due to the fact that it was written in the 1900s. But looking at the way Janie's actions are, you can definitely tell that if this book was written during a more modern time period like for example early 2000's or even now, Janie would be a strong feminist. She was not a big fan of being bossed around by a man and being controlled. She likes to be in control as well.
DeleteI agree that the book is very traditional and shows what it was like back then for women. Back then rules were very strict and they had to follow them. Do you think the book would be different if it was set in a different time period?
DeleteYeah, this book is very different to read because it does take part in a different time and culture. It allows for us to take a peek into a world that isn't ours. Do you think that someone would be able to write a book like this in the 21st century?
DeleteIn chapter six, we begin to see more of the dynamics between Janie and Jody. Mainly more of how Jody likes to control Janie, asking her to cover her hair and keeping her from interacting with the other townspeople. We also begin to see how connected the whole town is as well. Both of these play a part into Janie discovering more about herself. Obviously learning that the traits Jody has that her first made her attracted to him, is now what keeps control of her. But by living in a close community, she is able to take a glimpse into a life that she wants to have. Throughout chapter seven, we see Janie start to detach from her life. While Jody also begins to age. Finally things come to a turning point, Janie insulting Jody about his aging body and him reacting out physically to her, which drives her away from the store. Jody makes the decision to move into a different room into the house. In chapter eight, Jody’s age catches up to him and his body slowly begins to give out. Jody eventually dies, freeing Janie from their marriage. In chapter six we see how intimately Jody’s control is related to language. He uses language to belittle Janie. While in chapter seven and eight focus more on the disintegration of Jody and Janie’s marriage. Once Jody dies, Janie almost immediately rips off her headwrap, showing that his death has allowed her freedom she has yearned for. Chapter nine we see a different side of Janie, after ultimately gaining freedom from Jody’s death, she has new independence that inspires her from being tied down but yet still mourns her loss. During chapters 10-14, we see Janie met a man called “Tea Cakes”. A much younger, poorer man but very obviously loves Janie. We their relationship develop and them fall more in love but also see Janie questioning the state of their relationship. Sometimes Tea Cakes leaves for days on ends, but when he returns, Janie is so much more in love with him.
ReplyDeleteAs you mentioned, Janie had been belittled by Jody for years. It got to the point where Janie felt detached from her life being with him. I also believe her releasing her hair from her kerchief symbolized her freedom. She very well needed those few months of independence to grow as a person. Do you think Janie's questioning of her relationship with Tea Cakes will effect their relationship in the future?
DeleteJanie was automatically free once Jody passed away, you would expect her to be sad but it instead was like taking off to heavy weights off her shoulders. You also mention Tea Cakes 'obviously' loved Janie, What made you think he did? Do you think he really loves her or is it just the money?
DeleteI feel as if Tea Cake genuinely does care for Janie. She let her walls down and let this man enter her life from this point. It's like she's allowing herself to trust again after all the abuse she endured. But do you think this man Tea Cake will be a better influence on her? Or do you think Tea Cake is simply using her?
DeleteAs you mentioned Janie was belittled by Jody and she felt like she wanted to detach from her life. Will he be different because he is younger than Jody? She has allowed her self to let down her walls with Tea Cakes but will she end up in the same situation
DeleteI think Tea Cake genuinely does care for Janie and isn't just using her for his advantage.
DeleteReading through chapters 6-14 Janie undergoes a huge change in her life. She first began as a woman who was subdued by her husband, Mayor Starks. She was expected to act and behave a certain way. It seemed as if her husband Starks controlled every move and every decision she made. It wasn’t until chapter 8 when Starks began to feel ill, people in the town blamed Janie for his inconvenient health issues. They later discovered that he was awaiting death based on a kidney failure. At the end of the chapter, Janie got the courage to speak against Starks. It was unfortunate that Starks passed away as Janie told his he was a narcissist who cared of no other person besides himself. This was her moment of revelation, this was indicated in the text when she let her hair down and combed her hair. She felt liberated without the chains her husband Starks had on her. Months passed, and Janie met Tea Cake. There was an age difference between the two, however they overlooked age as just a number. Tea Cake made her truly happy, though people doubted their happiness they were indisputably content with each other. Being married to Tea Cake allowed Janie to discover a side of her she never knew she had.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Janie was much happier with Tea Cake and her life has been way better then when she was with Jody. Jody was toxin in Janie's life, she loved him but he was not the same guy she fell in love with in the beginning. But just like her previous husband and Jody, do you think Tea Cake will eventually change and its just the honeymoon stage right now? And what was the side she never knew she had?
DeleteWhen you contrast with Janie's previous relationships with her current one with Tea Cake, you can definitely feel that sudden release within Janie. Like you can feel her barriers and her walls go down when she is with Tea Cake. Almost like a gentle vulnerability. But in her past, her ex husbands have caused her build such a hard exterior to the point where she would have no suitors approaching her. Janie has definitely found like a safe haven with this man. Do you think this will change her outlook on love? Or will it only seal in Janie's mind that men aren't worth it?
Delete@Stacy Martinez
DeleteI personally believe that Tea Cake will turn out to be different than Jody and Logan. Unlike them, Tea Cake makes her fall in love much more every day they spend together. And the side I mentioned Janie didn't know she had was freedom. All her life she had been controlled. First her grandmother who married her onto Logan, and then Joe who controlled her actions as a 'Mayor's Wife'. After Joe's death, she got to experience her freedom for the first time.
@Kaelonni Soukraskmy
DeleteI agree with your concept of liberation and 'safe haven' Janie finds in Tea Cake. After being with a man like Tea Cake, I can strongly infer that Janie's look on love will change. Being in unhealthy relationships, she was glad to be free. However with Tea Cake, she feels safe and content in his arms. Her outlook on love will absolutely change after Tea Cake.
I agree that her look on love will change with Tea Cakes because she feels safe with him and that he is different than Jody. I think this will change the way she looks at men because of the different way Tea Cakes treats her.
DeleteI like how you focused in on how symbolic and important it was for Janie to let her hair down. How women wear their hair is so important to them and it was extremely empowering for her to wear her hair the way she liked it.
DeleteIn chapters 6-14 we begin to see things change in Janie's relationship. A big change is that Joe had taken control of her life and that was one thing that she did not want. “He slapped Janie until she had a ringing sound in her ears and told her about her brains before he stalked back to the store” (72). Joe also made her wear a scarf over her head so nobody saw her hair. He showed signs of jealousy when she would be in the store and Janie did not like that. Soon after Joe starts getting sick and dies. After he passes away she meets Tea Cakes. At first she thought that he was going to take her money but in the end they fall in love. “ He’s aimin’ to make hisself permanent wid me. We done made up our mind thu marry” (113). They end up moving to Jacksonville. One night she sends him fishing and he does not come back. Janie hid money in a pocket and when she looked for it she thought that Tea Cakes took it and left her. They next day he comes back to find her on the floor crying. “Ah see whut it is. You doubted me ‘bout de money. Thought Ah had done took it and gone. Ah don’t blame yuh but it wasn’t lak you think”(121). She thinks he took the money and left. He explains he would never do that to her. You can tell by the way they speak and act around each other that they are madly in love with each other. You can also tell that she likes being in this relationship because he treats her better that Logan and Joe did. Throughout the text her relationship with Tea Cakes blossoms and you feel like you are there with them.
ReplyDeleteAs many town folk predicted, Tea Cake was after Janie for her money. Although it was clear that they had true feelings of love for each other. As a reader who feels there with them, I am glad that she finally found the true love she was searching for in Tea Cake. What do you think made Tea Cake different than Joe and Logan?
DeleteI think he is different because he is younger, so that he grew up in a different time so he thinks that women should be who they want to be, so he lets her not be like a traditional woman figure.
DeleteI agree that Janie finding out that Tea Cake did not take her money was a important for their relationship to grow stronger.
DeleteIn the beginning chapters as I predicted, Jody was not who he claimed he was, In chapter 6 his true colors were beginning to show, and it was truly sad because Janie really loved him. On page 77 when Joe said “You oughta throw somethin’ over yo shoulders befo’ you go outside. You ain’t no young pullet no mo’. You’se uh ole hen now.” This is when I for sure disliked the character a lot. I already disliked him because of the way he treated her but, this was disrespectful, especially is he was old himself. Joe dying at the end of Chapter 8, was very shocking, because he was obviously not young anymore, but he was also not really old as well. But shortly after Joe’s death she met Tea cake, who is way younger than her and also poor. She began to know him and day by day she fell in love with him, until she decided to go away to Jacksonville and start fresh since everyone was talking bad about her because they thought he just wanted her for her money. As we know now Tea cake is the character in the beginning of the story that has passed away, but as of right now in the story I think he is a great guy for Janie. It is a bit weird she is way older than him but I think she might have finally found the true love she has been looking for.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about the chemistry between Janie and Tea Cake. You can feel the aura around Janie being enlightened by his presence. Whereas when she was with her former husbands, it seemed the honey moon phase evaporated and the air between the former was thick, heavy, and anxious. Tea Cake had become this breath of fresh air to Janie. This little pang of happiness she feels within her body resonates from her. You can feel the glow from her knowing she has found a certain companionship with Tea Cake. Do you think this may result into something she'd never expect? Like marriage again?
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DeleteIt was clear to see that Jody was not who he said he was. He made Janie happy for a while, although he faded away. When she met Tea Cake however it was very clear that their love was real. Janie finally found the love she had been searching for. As you mentioned, Janie was earlier than Tea Cake. Although I believe this reminds the reader what time period this was written in. In the 21st century it would be more than weird to marry a man years younger than you. However, in the 1930s it was very common among married couples to have a vast amount of years of age difference. As a reader, why do you believe Janie fell for Jody among the many men who wanted to be with her?
DeleteAfter meeting Tea Cakes Jaine said she found the love she was searching for. After Jody had told her he would give her everything he had a different side. Do you think this will happen with Tea Cakes or will he live up to what he said ?
DeleteAs soon as Janie and Tea Cake's relationship begin to grow you can so many differences compared to the relationship of Janie and Jody. All of their age differences, money differences, and how the men treat Janie.
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