Janie

Janie

             Janie is an interesting character. She has struggled her whole life to find independence from others, but cannot find it because she is expected to have someone controlling her at all times. She first realizes this when her grandmother tells her not to kiss anyone because she’s liable to be a woman soon and should be married to Logan Killicks. Then, when she goes to marry Joe Starks, she realizes that although she is wealthy, she is distant from her partner, unlike how she envisioned love to be. She is never free, constantly forced to be a fixture in the town store, even though she yearns to join the others in playing checkers and talking about the mule. Once Joe dies, she is finally free – until Tea Cake arrives. While he doesn’t force her to do anything, unlike Joe, he dictates to her some things. He tells her to wear blue, as he finds her pretty in it. Tea Cake doesn’t control her in the same ways as Joe did – Joe controlled her with his wealth and his words, while Tea Cake controls her with his love and actions. When she does what he wants her to, he will comb her hair or help her in doing some task. Janie searches for freedom, but will she ever find it?