"Death, the strange being with the huge square toes who lived way in the West. The great one who lived in the straight house like a platform without sides to it, and without a roof. What need has Death for a cover, and what winds can blow against him? He stands in his high house that overlooks the world. Stands watchful and motionless all day with his sword drawn back, waiting for the messenger to bid him come. Been standing there before there was a where or a when or a then." (84)
What does death represent?
Friday, March 25, 2011
Jody & Janie's Relationship
The tension between husband and wife is so tight that it is about to break at any moment. They have been married for some years now. They have no husband-wife relationship. They have a master-servant relationship. Jody has ideas of how a woman should behave. Janie has instincts that she resists follow for her safety. She keeps the peace. She just wants to get along.
"The years took all the fight out of Janie's face. For a while she thought it was gone from her soul. No matter what Jody did, she said nothing. She had learned how to talk some and leave some. She was a rut in the road. Plenty of life beneath the surface but it kept beaten down by the wheels...mostly she lived between her hat and her heels..." (76).
Could this be foreshadowing to her freedom? Will she escape "her hat and her heels" (the chains that restrict women)?
"The years took all the fight out of Janie's face. For a while she thought it was gone from her soul. No matter what Jody did, she said nothing. She had learned how to talk some and leave some. She was a rut in the road. Plenty of life beneath the surface but it kept beaten down by the wheels...mostly she lived between her hat and her heels..." (76).
Could this be foreshadowing to her freedom? Will she escape "her hat and her heels" (the chains that restrict women)?
Monday, March 21, 2011
First 100 Pages...
So far I see a poor black and beautiful woman who walks her own path. She is a powerful woman who "should not" be powerful according to cultural standards. Hurston uses Biblical references frequently which I appreciate.
I am excited to see where Janie's path will lead. From what I have heard this was supposed to be a love story of epic proportions, but I see a sad tale of a woman who must use men to get where she wants to go. She wants to get out of the house, she marries Logan Killicks. To get away from Logan, she runs off with Joe "Jody" Starks. I know this won't last long since Joe was initially described as an older man who amused Janie. The tale of love is still to come. Teacake (mentioned in the first chapter) has yet to arrive.
I see a similarity with Gone With the Wind, Scarlett married to advance her position in society also.
I am excited to see where Janie's path will lead. From what I have heard this was supposed to be a love story of epic proportions, but I see a sad tale of a woman who must use men to get where she wants to go. She wants to get out of the house, she marries Logan Killicks. To get away from Logan, she runs off with Joe "Jody" Starks. I know this won't last long since Joe was initially described as an older man who amused Janie. The tale of love is still to come. Teacake (mentioned in the first chapter) has yet to arrive.
I see a similarity with Gone With the Wind, Scarlett married to advance her position in society also.
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