To begin, the first example is found in the beginning of chapter two, right before Janie begins to tell her closest friend, Pheoby, what has happened in her life since they were last together. To quote, “Janie saw her life like a great tree in life with the things suffered, things enjoyed, things done and undone (8).” So many things—unimaginable, happy, and sad—had happened in her life between the time she left town, until this point. This passage tells the reader that Janie’s life was full of good, simple times and bad, complicated times.
The second example takes place right before Janie marries her first husband, Logan Killicks, and says, “There are years that ask questions and years that answer. Janie had had no chance to know things, so she had to ask. Did marriage end the cosmic loneliness of the unmated? Did marriage compel love like the sun the day? (21)” Here, it is announced that Janie is longing for love, but since she isn’t attracted to Logan Killicks, she wonders if marriage itself will cause her to love him. After her nanny’s prodding, Janie married Logan and finds out that marriage does not “make” love happen (25). Logan did not treat her special, did not appreciate her, and did not love her. From this point, Janie’s mindset changed and she realized that her childhood dream for true love would not be fulfilled with Logan Killicks. “Janie’s first dream was dead, so she became a woman. (25)”
The third example can be found in the fifth chapter, after Janie left her first husband, Logan, to run off and marry Joe Starks—a charming young man who swept her away. The newly wed couple lived in a new town, and Janie’s new husband, Joe, has become mayor of the town. Their relationship started out great. Joe promised Janie all the things that Logan Killicks could never offer her. However, unfortunately, the "power" of being mayor was too much for Joe and he began to change. Soon his wife was put on the back burner. We then find that “a feeling of coldness and fear took hold of her (Janie). She felt far away from things and lonely. (46)” At this point, Janie doesn’t know what love really is. She thought she found true love, but it turned its back on her—again.
Later on in the story, Joe Starks died. He and Janie were married for years, but their relationship had deteriorated. Although they continued to live in the same house, they barely knew each other. Janie felt freedom like she hadn’t felt in a long time. Soon, a man called “Tea Cake” came on the seen and was instantly attracted to Janie. Even though the two were about twelve years apart, Janie returned his feelings.
The fourth example can be found when her friend Pheoby came to talk to her about Tea Cake and Janie noted, “Ah'm older than Tea Cake, yes. But he done showed me where it's de thought dat makes de difference in ages. If people thinks de same they can make it all right" (115). Janie really loved Tea Cake, and she realized that age doesn’t matter when you’re in love.
The fourth example can be found when her friend Pheoby came to talk to her about Tea Cake and Janie noted, “Ah'm older than Tea Cake, yes. But he done showed me where it's de thought dat makes de difference in ages. If people thinks de same they can make it all right" (115). Janie really loved Tea Cake, and she realized that age doesn’t matter when you’re in love.
The fifth and final example is found at the very end of the book, after Tea Cake’s death. Sadly, after Tea Cake was bitten by a dog with rabies, Janie was forced to shoot him out of self defense. However, her love for him never diminished. Janie ended her story to Pheoby with these words about love, "Love is lak de sea. It's uh movin' thing, but still and all, it take its shape from de shore it meets, and it's different with every shore." (191) This passage ties up the whole message of love that is present throughout the whole book. Janie realized that each person’s experience with love is different, and each experience is special. She never took Tea Cake’s love for granted, and their love would always live on.
In closing, Janie’s life was definitely full of ups and downs. During some times, she had to brave the storms of life. Other times brought laugher and joy. All in all, she learned that love is real, but that it is not something that just happens over night. Janie also found that even true love brings good times and bad times. At the end of the story, although her husband is dead, Janie acknowledged that “he could never be dead until she herself had finished feeling and thinking.” With this in mind, Janie found peace.
Works Cited: Their Eyes Were Watching God. Zora Neale Hurston
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