As soon as Joe's character was introduced in the novel, I began to make connections between Janie and Zora Neale Hurston. Most important of these similarities, is the idea that both women felt as though they were being hindered by the men in their lives. Originally, Joe served as a convenient alternative to Logan. In Janie's mind, being with Joe meant the promise of a life in which she could someday find her true self. Janie believes that this is the love she has been searching for.When Joe and Janie later move to Eatonville and Joe takes up position as mayor, Janie soon comes to regret her decision to be with Joe. With his new found power, Joe becomes a new person. His attitudes become selfish and chauvinistic. He suppresses Janie's ideas and stifles her voice. It is not until Joe's deathbed that Janie finally confronts him and releases all of her bitterness towards him, but by that point it was too late. Janie could never get back that wasted time that she spent with Joe.
Zora Neale Hurston, like Janie, geared towards a very individual lifestyle. She married Herbert Sheen and their marriage lasted a mere four years. Her second marriage was to Albert Price was equally as unsatisfying to her and she ended it after just months. Both Hurston and Janie could not be tied down by men. They believed that they could not reach their ultimate potential when hindered by any one person.
As a side note: I truly dislike Joe's character. What I don't understand is why he abused his power when he knew what it was like to be the one whose ideas and voice was suppressed. The reason why Joe and Janie moved out the Eatonville in the first place was because he wanted a voice. He was unable to speak out and be heard in white-dominated neighborhood, yet when he is given power in Eatonville, one of the first things he does is suppress the opinions of others, but more signicantly, Janie.
Carly, I completely agree with your post. In both Janie and Hurston's cases, marriage and self-enlightenment cannot happen together.
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