One of the main, and most important themes, in this novel is the idea of whether to marry for money and protection or the marry for love. Janie faces this dilemma throughout her life multiple times with the several different men she marries.
Early in her childhood, her grandmother first instills the idea that in Janie's situation, it was far more important to marry for money, because money led to protection. "Tain't Logan Killicks Ah wants you to have, baby, it's protection." (15). Nanny says this because she knows Janie has no one in her life besides her grandmother so she feels the only way to protect her granddaughter is to set her up with someone reliable, not necessarily loveable. Janie's marriage with Logan becomes emotionless and miserable as he turns into just someone who is there to clean his house and work for him. So, she runs off with Joe Starks into a marriage that she originally believes is for love. As Joe becomes more powerful in the town, her marriage very quickly becomes more and more like her marriage with Logan. Joe soon orders her around and wants to control every aspect of her life. Also, he wants her to admire him for his money and the protection he offers her. Both of the marriages for money and protection turn out miserable.
After Joe's death, many new men try to woo Janie but the only successful one at this is Tea Cake. Even though Tea Cake has very little, if anything at all, to offer in the means of money but his admiration and love of her attracts Janie far more then the money of Logan and Joe. "Dis ain't no business proposition, and no race after property and titles. Dis is uh love game. Ah done lived Grandma's way, now Ah means tuh live mine." (114). Janie says this to Pheoby shortly before her and Tea Cake get married, and she how she is starting a new chapter in her life where she concentrates on love over money. So they get married and move off and ultimately live a much happier then Janie's past two marriages. Their marriage only ending because Tea Cake gets rabies and becomes crazy. The novel shows that marrying for love provides of a much happier life then marrying for money and protection.
I'm liking the picture Jake.
ReplyDeleteJake, I agree with Annie. You're picture is prime.You can see Janie's life as a parallel to Hurston's when she was a child. Except Janie's relationships didn't exactly resemble Hurston. Hurston had left two lovers in pursuit of her dreams. And believed that her dreams were more important than personal interest. Janie's relationship is probably what Hurston envisioned for herself if she did marry.
ReplyDeletei really like your picture
ReplyDeleteJake-
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your interpretation of the main theme. I think the main theme is "being true to yourself."
I agree with your theme that it is more important to marry for love than for security and wealth. The only person Janie was ever happy with was Tea Cake because he allowed her to stay true to herself and he loved her for who she was. Tea Cake didn't have the money that Joe had, and Janie didn't have a very luxurious life with him, but because she loved him she was happy.
ReplyDeleteJake......................... you are SOOO good looking.
ReplyDeleteI second what jocelyn said
ReplyDeleteI agree with this idea. I find it funny how Janie never really had any money but used her previous husband's money. In her relationship with Tea Cake, I love how it is genuiinely priceless. =)
ReplyDelete