Ali Field

September 12, 2012

Their Eyes Were Watching God Chapters 5-6 Journal

            Jody turns out to act the opposite of the man he promised Janie he would be. He once told her that he doesn’t want to “make a dog outa [Janie,]” (29) but “make a wife outa [her]” (29) instead. He orders her around the store and orders her to do his tasks, such as “you better go fetch me dem shoes.” (57) He also makes her “keep her head tied up lak some ole ‘oman” (49) because he is jealous of other men looking at her and he “never told Janie how jealous he was (55). Instead of telling Janie how he feels, he covers up his feelings by being forceful, shutting her out of the town life, by making her stay out of the “draggin’-out” (60) because of the “passle pushin’ and shovin’ ”(60). I think he keeps her away from the dragging out because he doesn’t want her to be around other men because he’s jealous, not because of the ill-mannered pushing or the speech he is going to give.  Jody continually treats her as if she were a dog that he controls. He also says that “he was no fist fighter,” (47) but hits Janie for burning dinner, and to show the other men his power. Jody is far from the man he said he was before he became mayor.

            Janie is oppressed by her husband, Jody. When given the opportunity to give “uh few words uh encouragement” (43) in front of the town, Jody imminently jumps in her way before she has the chance to say anything. Even though, she “didn’t know if she cared to make [a speech] at all,” (43) it’s the fact that Jody didn’t give her a chance that “took the bloom off of things.” (43) Janie is not allowed to partake in the conversations around or in the store. If she shows interest or laughs, Jody tells her to go do something in the back, get something for him. Janie does what she is told and, usually “[gets] up without a word” (57) to tend to Jody’s needs. When she finally gets the courage to speak her mind, Jody cuts her off. He tells her “you getting’ too moufy, Janie” (75) when she tries to defend that being a women is not the same as being a helpless baby chicken. Jody does not seem worried that Janie will ever leave him. He doesn’t think about her when he makes decisions or orders her around. Their relationship is more like slavery, rather than Janie’s ‘pear tree’ perfect relationship.