December
2008
ch. 11 & 12 & 130
A lot happens in these few chapters including an attempted intervention by Janie’s friend Phoebe, who we saw in the beginning of the book for a short time. The people of the town cannot understand why Janie would act in such free, outgoing ways, just 9 short months after the death of her husband. However what the people don’t know are the true feelings that existed between Joe and Janie and how she is actually happier without him.
“Ah ain’t grievin’ so why do Ah hafta mourn?” (pg. 113) ~ Janie to Phoebe when Phoebe questions her lack of black clothing and new blue style
Is it true that all families have their own problems? Even the ones we are supposed to look up to and admire, such as a mayor’s family? I think so. Just recently I learned a whole lot of garbage that has been going around a family that i know. I used to think their life was perfect with lots of kids, grandparents, and all living within 20 minutes of each other so a family dinner or activity was a breeze. However my vision is not true. I was shocked when i learned this as i always used to be embarrassed by my own family, believing we were not up to par. I used to be embarrassed with myself as I believed all the other girls my age were too good for me. However there can never be a perfect family, even if they make everything seem fine on the outside. Janie’s family was never perfect, and although they were able to fool the people of Eatonville, she was not able to fool herself.
“…buy Jody wouldn’t ‘low me tuh. When Ah wasn’t in de store he wanted me tuh jes sit wid folded hands and sit dere. And Ah’d sit dere wid de walls creepin’ up on me and squeezin’ all de life outa me.” (pg. 112)
Hurston makes it easy to see the transformation of “sit at home proper women Janie” to “free, fun loving, life loving Janie.”
“He drifted off into sleep and Janie looked down on him and felt a self-crushing love. So her soul crawled out from its hiding place.” (pg. 128)
For the first time in Janie’s life, she is taking direction of her life herself. She is finally happy and content with where she is in life with Tea Cake. And although she will not live in a big house, with plenty of furnishings, and her own little spit cup, she is living happily as her own free women.
