Eatonville & The Porch
The all-Black town where Janie settles with Jody Starks and becomes a central figure.
What is Eatonville, Florida?
Janie's first husband, a wealthy, older man Nanny forces her to marry for security.
Who is Logan Killicks?
This natural object symbolizes Janie's search for true love and self-fulfillment.
What is the pear tree?
Janie learns she is not white when she sees herself in this.
Who is the main character's best friend, to whom she tells her story?
Who is Pheoby Watson?
The group of men who gather on this public space to gossip and comment on Janie's return.
What are the Porch Sitters (or porch)?
The man who buys the general store, becomes mayor, and represents Janie's lost voice and dreams.
Joe Starks
According to Nanny, this is what a black woman is in the world.
Janie goes to her grandmother after three months of marriage to Logan because she wants to understand this emotion.
Who is Janie's first husband, chosen by Nanny for security?
The first big public project Jody introduces to the town, which he wants Janie to lead a speech for.
What is incorporating the town and electing a mayor?
The first two things Joe Starks buys and builds when he arrives in the all-Black town of Eatonville.
What are land and a store?
In the opening paragraphs, the "ships at a distance" represent this for men.
Joe strikes Janie for the first time after she does this to a plug of tobacco.
Who is Janie's second husband, who becomes the mayor of Eatonville?
Who is Joe Starks (Jody)?
The specific innovation Jody brings that establishes his dominance and changes town life.
What is the street lamp (or lamppost)?
The task Logan wants Janie to help him with in the fields, which triggers her decision to leave him.
What is plowing the field?
Joe Starks forces Janie to wear this item to hide her hair from other men, symbolizing his control over her.
After Joe's death in Chapter 9, this is the first physical change Janie makes, symbolizing her newfound independence.
What is burning her head-rags and wearing her hair down?
Who raised Janie after her mother ran off and her grandmother was a slave?
Who is Nanny Crawford?
The reason Janie is forced to wear this item, which symbolizes her silencing and imprisonment by Jody.
What is a head-rag (or headwrap)?
The name of the man who teaches Janie to play checkers and treats her as an equal partner.
Who is Tea Cake?
A primary theme of the first ten chapters is Janie's journey toward finding this.
On his deathbed, Janie tells Joe he never let her show her love because he was too busy listening to this.
Who is the author of "Their Eyes Were Watching God"?
Zora Neale Hurston