Reaction to Peer Post: Annie

After reading Annie's post on a potential theme for the novel, I wanted to support her ideas on fate since she appeared to be somewhat undecided. Death plays a major role in this novel what with the death of Nanny, the mule, Joe, and Tea Cake. Janie's character is affected by each death and she continues to discover more of her indivduality. To expand upon Annie's comment about how "death will come when it is supposed to" I would like to add something about how there is a finality to death, and yet within the novel those who are dead appear to live on for Janie. This connects directly to the idea of fate because the fact the dead are, to some extent, living for Janie eludes to the possibility of a higher power, or fate. The novel also is deeply steeped with divinity and conflicts and illusions to God or the biblical world. One such example is simply within the title, "Their Eyes Were Watching God." This title is connected to the quote that, "...their eyes straining against crude walls and their souls asking if He meant to measure their puny might against His. They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God" (160). This scene occurs when Janie and Tea Cake are in the midst of the hurricane. All that Janie can do is to give herself up to nature and believe in fate itself, the idea that whatever happens will happen and she can not do anything about her circumstances or to change events that will take place. This is a direct illusion to Janie's belief in fate and the fact that fate has played a large role in the actions that she takes. Janie is a free spirited woman who is led by her whims and emotions; essentially she is led by a belief in fate.

I disagree with Annie about the innevitability of fate in that I believe that Janie's fate is inevitable because of the kind of character that she is. Janie is led by her emotions to enter into a relationship with Joe, it is not fate but her actions that lead her to flirt and draw his attention but it is Janie's fate in how her relationship ends. Janie could not perceive Joe's true character and therefore did not have control over his treatment of her. Janie yearns for love, so it is her fate that drives her to enter into numerous relationships because she continues to ceaselessly search for love and her independent freedom.

Fate also plays a large role with Janie's relationship with Tea Cake. Janie finds her true love, and yet she cannot control Fate's power to take people away. Janie's fate is to find everlasting love, no matter whether the person continues to live or not, therefore Tea Cake's death is fitting for her character.

I agree with Annie that fate plays a major role within this novel, although as for the uncertainty and inevitability I believe that there is evidence to the fact the Janie's fate was due to her type of character and personality.