Throughout the portion of the novel read thus far, I find it interesting the type of realationships that Jaine has had. In her first marriage she is not drawn to him in a physical or psychologically sense. She is put before him in order to retain a sense of security. The void that he fills with the lack of family in her life is the only reason they are together. Her nanny seemed to exhibit a twisted sense of idealized material moral upon her. It seemed that the nanny figure was trying to make her believe that she should marry for material gain and security, apposed to a sense of love and affection. This caused her at a young age to be confused.
She runs away with her second husband in order to escape the confines and oppression put upon her. She marries her second husband for a sense of romanticism, while still holding onto the morals impossed upon her by her nanny. She starts the relationship with a taste of what she was really searching for, but in actuallity it ends up even worse than her first marriage.
Her final marriage with Tea Cake finally secures her the relationship she was really looking for. She finally feels as an equal and is able to express her individuality and opinions. Tea cake seems a great companion for her thus far in the book.
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Well, Shawn, the best thing I can say to your comment is sometimes the third time is the charm.
I also found it interesting that Hurston emphasizes relationships. It's funny how a women author is writing about a women character and how they should feel equal, to their husband. I also find it interesting to show the many relationships that a woman during this time period. It is meeting certain sterotypes, such as african american women are loose. I'm interested to see these relationships change for the rest of the novel.
I agree that Janie has had some twisted relationships with men, as well as, her grandmother throughout this novel. I felt that her first husband was more like a father figure than an actual lover. He constantly told her what to do and what not to do. However, her relationship with her new husband, Tea Cake seems to be working out fairly well.
Relationships are key to this novel. I feel like she uses relationships Janie has in order to empower her and show the problems in traditional male/female gender relations.
I agree that Janie's first two relationships were just not quite right. Janie married them for all the wrong reasons. She hardly knew either of the first two men. I was so glad when Janie found Tea Cake. She was actually able to get to know him on a personal level and have genuine feelings for him. This is the foundation from which a relationship should be built. I think that Janie has realized this and understands what she wants out of a relationship now.
I too felt that Janie's first to marriages were bad. I actually felt bad for her during them. Especially the first one, since she was forced to marry because of her nanny. I don't think ti was right for her nanny to want to marry just for material things. That's not what marriage should be about. During her second relationship I felt bad for her also. The second marriage was a controlling one for her. But finally her third marriage was good. I guess the third times a charm. I once again felt bad for her at the end of the novel when she killed Tea Cake because of his sickness. That had to be something that was really hard for her because of loving him so much. It was be very hard for anyone to do.
I agree. I like Tea Cake so far but I also liked Jody at first. Im not sure what will happen with him though. I agree though that I think she finally found herself in this match.
I found her relationships very interesting too! Her relationship with her first marriage was pretty much put in front of her because of her grandmother. Since she wasn't happy in her first marriage, she ran away for her second one...and again was not happy! I think that Tea Cake is a good companion for her as well
I agree, thus far, Tea Cake does seem to be everythiing Janie was truly looking for. However, Tea Cake seems to be sort of impolsive and immature. Also, we know that he is not with Janie when she comes back to the town, since the story is told in flash back. So I wonder if Janie will ever find a happy, secure relationship.
I also found the relationships to be interesting. It seems like with the first couple she never really knew who she was. She was always holding something back on her own or by the men in her life. With Tea Cake it seems as though she can finally discover herself and be who she truly is with out worrying about what people think of her.
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