Their Eyes Were Watching God - Journal # 6

Outline

I. By not revealing the exact 'thing' that brought about Annie Taylor's death, Hurston is able to build upon the concept of a death brought about by waiting.

II. Janie is confident that even without Tea Cake, she is able to financially support herself and essentially continue to make the decisions that govern the direction of her life.

III. In the latter half of the second paragraph, Janie's prayer reveals that even though she is capable of forging yet another life by herself, she would very much rather keep the one she had at that moment.

IV. In the third paragraph Tea Cake embodies the sun making him the beginning, the end and the light that brightens Janie's life.

Purpose Statement:
This selection emphasizes Janie's ability to command her life. She was fully aware that starting yet another 'life' was an option she had, compared to other women in her time period who had no such luck, while at the same time was doubtful of whether or not it would be worth the effort.

"But it was always going to be dark to Janie if Tea Cake didn't soon come back" (Hurston 120)

This is probably one of the most critical lines in the passage. Janie doesn't see anything in her future without Tea Cake at her side. If that isn't character development then I don't know what is.

Comments:

To Kevin:
I like your third topic sentence, mainly because mine was relatively similar. Tea Cake does seem to be the bright and relaxed one of the two.

I do have a question about your second topic sentence though, how did you come to the conclusion that Janie dismissed her fears? I would have expected the third paragraph to not have ended with her on the floor. Perhaps you meant that it was an attempt? The relation you made between Janie and Annie's lives was nicely worded though.
Nicely done!

To Carmella:
I agree with your thesis entirely. I can relate with it after all.
I really like your fourth topic sentence, as Janie did progress through several stages before finally ending up on the floor with her head on the rocking chair. Broken down I'd say.

To Corinne:
Wow. I have to say that all of your analysis' are very well written!

The way you linked Janie's physical body to what she was thinking was an excellent connection I didn't think much of. Your second topic sentence was interesting as well. Hope and loss being experienced at the same time... strange concept but it works the way you describe it.