Janie is a confident, independent, ambitious, young woman who is reflective and deep. She yearns for the fulfillment of her dreams, and exhibits a rebellious and naive spirit.
If she is confident why does she let the people in her life (her grandmother and husbands) dictate what she does?
- She gets confidence from her experiences
Janie- Chapters 5-6
Janie is a naive woman who obsesses over the perfect picture love, but through her cycle of love she discovers that she can not find it. She matures through this passive resistance, forming her own opinions but not strongly advocating herself.
Joe
Joe Starks is an egotistical tyrant who overcompensates to hide his insecurities about himself and his relationship with Janie.
- He uses his voice to compensate for his insecurities.
- We learn more about his insecurities on his death bed.
- He is frustrated that Janie is not completely happy with him.
- He is a good mayor and everyone likes him.
When Mrs. Robins comes in and asks for food he gives her a tiny piece even though he has the means to give her more. His reason is that her husband comes in and buys lots of food each week. Why does she need more? Joe then charges the food he gives Mrs. Robins to the account. It is an example of how women are being put down by men.
Janie and Joe Notes
Janie is threatened by Joe's control
Joe wants to be King and have everyone be his peasants.
Joe is a horrible communicator which is why their marriage has so many problems.
Symbol and significance of the mule
- the mule symbolizes women
- Logan and Janie? Working?
- does it symbolize Joe or Janie?
- foreshadowing Joe's death
- the mule is stubborn like Janie. Janie wants true love and she is fighting for it. The mule runs away from work until he gets what he wants.
- mule could represent both
- when the mule died he got his freedom from everything and when Joe dies Janie got her freedom
- "A free mule in town was something new to talk about" - when Janie in the first chapter walks back into town and everyone is talking about her
How do you picture Janie? Is she old?
She is not that old at all. She feels she is still very young!
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