Throughout chapters six through fifteen, Janie's life begins to change drastically. After her argument with Jody in chapter seven, Janie and Jody's relationship begins to slowly deteriorate. Not only does Jody move his things into a separate room in the house, but his health begins to collapse as well. Janie, on the other hand, has reached the point where she has lost all hope and begins to feel resentful toward Jody. Although both Janie and Jody seem to be complete opposites at this point in the novel, they both realize that they have constructed lives that haven't given them what they originally desired.
After Jody's death, Janie looks in the mirror and discovers that although she has aged, she is still a beautiful woman. "The young woman was gone, but a handsome woman had taken her place. She tore off the kerchief from her head and let down her plentiful hair. The weight, the length, the glory was there(87)." From here until chapter fifteen Janie continues to live her life more freely, doing as she pleases. During this time of new found freedom, Janie meets a young man named Tea Cake, who seems to do everything to impress her and win her over. As Janie surrenders her true feelings and realizes how intense her love for Tea Cake truly is, Tea Cake wins Janie's love once and for all. "He could be a bee to a blossom-a pear tree blossom in the spring. He seemed to be crushing scent out of the world with his footsteps. Crushing aromatic herbs with every step he took. Spices hung about him. He was a glance from God (106)."
Although all seems to be going extremely well in Janie's life, I can't help but question if Tea Cake is in the relationship for something more than just Janie's love and affection. I suppose we will have to wait and see.
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I think every reader questions Tea Cake's intentions with Janie. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt when I say I don't think he's just after her money. I think there's something much more that exists between the two of them. I hope so for Janie's sake because it seems like that's what she is looking for in life, someone she loves and who loves her back and to be herself around.
I really liked the section of the novel after Joe died when Janie finally took off her kerchief and let her hair down. This was a major symbol that represented Janie's new freedom and appreciation for herself. I was waiting for a moment like this in the novel. I knew that eventually Janie would realize that she didn't need Joe to keep her from being the beautiful woman that she is. This part of the novel was written so descriptively that I could almost see Janie becoming a new woman at that very moment.
I liked this part of the story because Janie began to live like she wanted. I think this is what she needs to realize who she is and where she belongs. I think she needs that sense of freedom to explore and discover new things. I also wonder what Tea Cakes intentions are and am curious to find out.
hmm i saw that janie was a bit resentful of jody when he was making fun of her--but i thought she really felt bad about their relationship after she knew he was so sick. I know she got over his death and was at peace with him--but did she really hate him? I think she realizes that despite him picking on her he was really a good guy who did alot for her. He left her with wealth and life lessons.. I dont know about teacake--- he is a gambler... there is probably more to the relationship than the money aspect but since he is younger he will be ablet o inherit her wealth and than gamble it away. id like to hope that he is more genuine but i dont know after he steals her money and than that bullshit story
I really loved the section of the novel where Janie looks in the mirror and decides to let go of the role she was forced to play during her marriage to Jodie. I sensed a huge burden being lifted off of her shoulders as she gathered the courage to let down her hair and put aside her kerchief. I just felt so proud of her, and sensed that a change was coming in her life -- and then in walked Tea Cake.
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