In class we talked loosely about Jody's physical deterioration and the effect that had on his behavior towards Janie. As Jody's physical health deteriorates due to a combination of age, the luck of the draw (liver disease), and stubbornness (seeing the witch doctor lady instead of a medical doctor), Jody begins to lash out with increasing severity. Mr. Mitchell said something about the episode sadly making sense to us, and I agree with that. It reminds me very much of super old people who get very bitter when they realize that they can't do certain things on their own any more (drive, care for themselves, etc.).
In Jody's case it is even worse. Jody built his life around control and power, and slowly withering away must have really got to him. Right before he dies we see that he has completely lost control of one of the people he controlled best: Janie. Instead of Jody making Janie be quiet and listen to him, the tables have turned and Janie is telling Jody her mind whether he wants to hear it or not (he doesn't).
They are the final words that Jody Starks hears before he dies. Janie, finally free, casts off her hair binding and walks out of the house ready to find something (or someone) in life to make her happy. From the prologue I'm guessing that's going to be Tea Cake.
I think you bring up a couple really good points here. The whole idea that Jody's severe crankiness is because he is slowly losing control and power is spot on. Jody is an ambitious man, perhaps to an extent of being overambitious. He is also a domineering figure who expects his orders to be followed. When he begins to lose his physical health, he knows that his mental and emotional capacities will begin to fade as well. However, I do not sympathize with him. I think he got what he deserved.
ReplyDeleteThe phrase 'sad familiarity' really works here. We can understand Jody, perhaps not quite to the point where we can sympathize with him, but we see where he is coming from. He is really losing all control of his own life, and this understandably distresses him. When Janie feels like she loses control of her life, she takes charge and attempts to take control, and Jody physically cannot do that anymore.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that Jody's slipping grasp of power is what causes him to lash out as violently towards Janie. Once his body starts failing him and Janie's is still relatively fine, he starts to realize that the monopoly he's had on her over the course of their marriage is failing. Bedridden and withered, he still refuses to face the fact that she is more than just a "trophy wife." I agree that it is probably the only time she can confront him about the past, and it really is a stab at his ego--that's the way he leaves this world. He totally had it coming, as he was disillusioning himself from facing the natural circle of life. I think this relates to a theme I've seen in the book so far; that most of the characters we've met seem to feel they are all-powerful. Of course, they aren't, which leads to their personal tragedies throughout. Logan represented this cockiness when he believed Janie felt lucky to marry him, and no further romancing was necessary. Similarly, Janie failed to realize the hardships of marriage before getting herself in one (and later another), thus leading to her general unhappiness in both. Since we are only about halfway through the book, I wonder if this is a theme we will continue to see, or if the newfound independence she displayed after Jody's death will enhance her as a person.
ReplyDeleteJody's lose of power is definitely brutalizing to him and its very clear how he lashes out on Janie for it. What's interesting to me though is that Janie stays despite all of it. Earlier in the book, with Logan, we learned that she has no problems just walking away, and it is interesting to see that she decides to stay with him all the way to his death, despite her clear hate for him now. Weather this is a result of the intimidation of Jody or just a matter of not knowing what else she could do, either way, it is interesting to see this change from earlier in the book.
ReplyDeleteThis idea that Jody's physical decline corresponds to a loss of power and influence calls to mind Janie's observation about how his belly--which was always prominent--had once seemed pugnacious and a symbol of his power and influence (what others are "cowed" by), but in these later months just starts to sag and swing in a helpless kind of way. There's an almost literal physical manifestation of the dynamic you're talking about right there.
ReplyDeleteThis post made me realize that through the entire book the characters are defined very physically. Janie's strength is portrayed primarily through her rough clothing and attractiveness. Jody's strength wanes as he physically ages. The woman who ran away with a younger man tries to stuff herself into flashy clothing when she feels vibrant and young and sags and sort of rots when the man runs away with her money. Janie's perspectives of the men she's married to depends heavily on their appearances... I don't know how I feel about this.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Janie's strength is portrayed through her physical appearance. More than that, however, much of what sets Janie apart to the average person--and definitely Joe--is her beauty. She gets out of the Logan situation because of it. I mean, Hurston mentions that Janie ran to the pump so her hair would fall down and be prominent. Janie is automatically set apart from other women in Eatonville because of the beauty she possesses, not just because of her status as mayor's wife. One thing to ask ourselves (as readers) is if Janie's beauty attracts us towards her--does that make her special to us outside of her character. Are the frequent mentions of her hair, and beauty alluring?
ReplyDeleteAs teenagers, this mysterious concept of aging is completely unknown to us, but I can definitely see why Jody would lash out at Janine because she looks so young still while he is definitely putting on the pounds and years. I guess the biggest thing about aging is that you slowly start to lose control of your own body and mind, and Jody who is a control freak, can't come to terms with this.
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