Story Structure & Ideas
The novel begins with Janie returning home and telling her story through this type of structure.
What is a frame narrative?
Janie’s first marriage is based on safety, not this.
What is love?
This symbol represents Janie’s idea of perfect love.
What is the pear tree?
Joe does not allow Janie to speak freely in this setting.
What is in public (or on the porch)?
This town represents community, gossip, and judgment.
What is Eatonville?
Before Janie speaks, the town already judges her based on this.
What is gossip?
Logan Killicks expects Janie to do this kind of work.
What is physical/labor work?
Janie looks toward this symbol when thinking about her future.
What is the horizon?
Janie’s silence shows she does not have this.
What is power (or control)?
Janie lives here with Tea Cake, where life feels more free and social.
What is the Everglades?
This idea explains how Janie understands her life by thinking back on her experiences.
What is reflection?
Joe Starks cares more about this than emotional connection/ love in his marriage.
What is power/ his image?
The mule represents people who are treated this way.
What is burdened or oppressed?
As the story continues, Janie begins to gain this.
What is her voice?
This natural event forces everyone to focus on survival.
What is the hurricane?
Hurston does NOT tell Janie’s story in order. Instead, she reveals the past through this.
What is flashback?
Tea Cake allows Janie to experience this kind of relationship.
What is freedom and companionship?
Joe forces Janie to cover this part of herself to control her.
What is her hair?
This place shows how people gain power by telling stories and joking.
What is the porch?
Mrs. Turner shows this issue within the Black community.
What is colorism?
This big idea shows the difference between what people say about Janie and what is actually true.
What is gossip vs truth?
Across her three marriages, Janie learns more about this.
What is her identity (or herself)?
The hurricane shows that humans are not in control of this.
What is nature?
This theme explains the struggle between controlling others and being free.
What is power vs freedom?
Hurston uses this type of language to show culture and realism.
What is dialect (or vernacular)?