Characters & Traits
What do we mean by "character traits"?
Character traits are words that describe character's personality or qualities that make them who they are.
Why is Janie able to at least appear to be of a different class than her peers at a young age?
She is half white, and she was able to wear the clothes of the white children whose family Nanny worked for.
Analyze the meaning of the following quote: “'Ah told you in de very first beginnin’ dat Ah aimed tuh be uh big voice. You oughta be glad, ‘cause dat makes uh big woman outa you.' A feeling of coldness and fear took hold of her.”
In this quote, Jody explains to Janie his goals and defines Janie's success as a mere reflection of his own success. This makes Janie feel small and unimportant.
What does the pear tree represent for Janie? (Provide one interpretation).
The pear tree represents:
1. Janie's budding sexuality.
2. Her hopes and dreams for her life: specifically, equality in a relationship: a give and take.
3. The course of her life and the men who come in and out of it.
Provide three character traits to describe Jody.
(Can also say: abusive, domineering, intimidating, selfish, insecure, ambitious).
As the mayor, Jody is part of the upper class during his life time both due to his money and his reputation. Contrastingly, Tea Cake is in a lower class, working jobs that require manual labor and growing his money through gambling.
Analyze the meaning of the following quote:
"It was bad enough for white people, but when one of your own color could be so different it put you on a wonder. It was like seeing your sister turn into a 'gator. A familiar strangeness" (pg. 48).
The use of "'gator" in this quote shows how the town sees Jody as threatening and intimidating because of the power he has occupied. He is filling the role of a white person, and is even compared to a slave owner. However, as a Black man, he is also still one of their own, which is why he is called their "sister."
What does the mule represent?
The mule represents the struggle of black women, who face oppression in every aspect of their lives, especially at this time. This applies to Janie, but does not exclusively relate to her.
Provide three character traits to describe Nanny.
Could also say: abusive, abused, anxious, wounded
'Jody classed me off. Ah didn't" (pg. 112).
In this quote, Phoebe explains how the town looks down on her for dating someone below her class. They are used to her "classing off", determining who she socializes with and what kind of activities she attends based on their affiliation with her class. Janie fights back, explaining that this was something Jody forced her to do, not her own choice.
Analyze the meaning of the following quote:
"'Naw, it ain't all right wid you. If it was you wouldn't be sayin' dat. Have de nerve tuh say whut you mean'" (pg. 109).
This quote shows Tea Cake challenging Janie to open up about her real feelings, rather than suppressing them, as she's become accustomed to doing. This makes him stand apart from other men of her past and shows his concern for her feelings.
What does Janie's hair and hair rag represent? (Give us one interpretation)
Janie's hair represents her sexuality and self-expression, while the hair rag Jody gives her represents her oppression.
Also could say: Janie's hair represents her proximity to whiteness, which elicits desire and jealousy from the community (internalized racism).
Provide three character traits to describe Tea Cake.
Tea Cake is caring, irresponsible, and spontaneous. Could also say: validating, considerate, adventurous, down-to-earth, insecure, ambitious.
Analyze the meaning behind the following quote. "'Ah'm uh man even if Ah is de Mayor. But de mayor's wife is somethin' different again. Anyhow they's liable tuh need me tuh say uh few words over de carcass, dis bein uh special case. But you ain't goin' off in all dat mess uh commonness. Ah'm surpised at yuh for askin'"(pg. 60).
Analyze the meaning of the following quote:
"The room inside looked like the mouth of an alligator -- gaped wide open to swallow something down" (pg. 118).
In this quote, the image of the alligator resurfaces. It is used to convey the idea that Tea Cake may be a traitor, as he may have abandoned Janie. It is also used to represent Janie's fear of this being true.
What do the checkers represent? Explain.
The checkers represent intelligence and equality or inequality in a relationship. Jody did not allow her to play the game, deeming her too dumb, while Tea Cake empowers her to learn how.
How has Janie changed as a character from the beginning to the end of her second marriage (the moment Jody dies?) (Provide 3 traits from beginning, and 3 traits from that point.)
At the beginning, Janie is hopeful, imaginative, and naive (could also say: impressionable, gullible).
By the end of her second marriage, Janie is jaded, repressed, and more independent (could also say: disillusioned, hopeless, doubtful, and more discerning.)
Analyze the meaning of the following quote:
"She had found a jewel down inside herself and she had wanted to walk where people could see her and gleam it around. But she had been set in the market-place to sell. Been set for still-bait. When God had made The Man, he made him out of stuff that sung all the time and glittered....Janie had tired to show her shine" (pg. 90).
Analyze the meaning of this quote -- and the possible motivations of Janie's actions: "She cut him short with a blow and they fought from one room to the other, Janie trying to beat him, and Tea Cake kept holding her wrists and wherever he could to keep her from going too far" (pg. 137).
In this quote, Janie is using the conflict resolution technique she's accustomed to using from her marriage with Jody -- violence. Feeling more empowered than she did in her last relationship, she is the one who initiates this behavior, but Tea Cake stops her.
What does the horizon represent?
The horizon symbolizes the realm of what could be possible for Janie, and what she can dream about.