Chapters 6-7
The relationship Janie and Jody have is growing more and more phony. Thus far, it is clear that Janie has a strong self concept and personality, however it upsets me that she lets Jody control her life. She is a woman that men admire, and Jody should be proud that he has her. I continue to reflect upon the slideshow we saw in class. He expects her to keep her mouth shut and do her job, while he provides for her. However, this is becoming a growing issue. She supports Jody and expresses her opinions to him…but he doesn’t allow that. He doesn’t feel her opinion should be expressed, and here is where I see a downfall occuring. Earlier in the novel, Nanny expresses to Janie that Logan was a good man because he never put a finger on her. However, we now see that Jody does. His acts of beating Janie are unacceptable. To Nanny, as well as Janie herself.
Though Janie allows Jody to beat her, it’s clear this is going to be the downfall of their relation. She’s too strong of a character and regardless of what society may think of her, I believe she’ll retaliate. In the twentieth century, women have the right to stick up for themselves. Prior to reading these two chapters, I began to think, what if this novel was published now? If women had the rights they do now, and were equal to men in the 1900’s, how would Hurston change the novel and Janie’s reaction to her husband beating her. Then I also realized that no matter how Janie complains about her relationship with her husband, she never blames it on him beating her. He’s a successful man and his image is very important to him. He won’t be talked down to by any woman and Janie accepts that. It’s amazing how much times have changed. I would have love to see Janie in this time period. I feel she’d be much more self sufficient and happy. Maybe she’ll change…and follow in her grandmother’s footsteps; the woman who glued her life back together when it shattered into millions of pieces, and made it beautiful.
