Transcript Their Eyes Were Watching God

Chapter 4: Long before the year was up, Janie noticed
that her husband had stopped talking in rhymes to her.
How do the motifs of the horizon, the pear tree and
the bees factor into Janie’s leaving?
What is ironic about Nanny’s plan for Janie?
Complete reading of Ch 4 and dialectical journal.
Be prepared to identify and discuss vital passages of
this chapter.
Turn in Questions for Ch 3 (if you haven’t already
done so
Chapter 4: Logan
“The sun from ambush was threatening the world with red
daggers, but the shadows were gray and solid looking
around the barn”(31). Personification, imagery
“Logan with his shovel looked like a black bear doing some
clumsy dance on his hind legs’(31). Animal imagery – simile
“He hoped that he had hurt her as she had hurt him”(31).
“Ah guess some low-life nigger is ginnin’ in yo’ face and lyin’
tuh yuh. God damn yo’ hide!”(32). She is out of there and
he knows it.
Joe Starks (husband number 2)
“citified, stylish dressed man with his hat set at an
angle…”(27).
He was from “Georgy” saved $300.00; “It had always
been his wish and desire to be a big voice and he had to
live nearly thirty years to find a chance” (28).
“You aint got no mo’ business wid uh plow than uh hog is got
wid uh holiday!” (29). Idiom
Den all de rest of yo’ natural life you kin live lak you
oughta”(30).
Chapter 4: Janie
“But springtime reached her in there so she moved everything to
a place in the yard where she could see the road” (27). On her
way out – metaphorically speaking, imagery, motif, symbol
“Janie pulled back a long time because he did not represent the
sun-up and pollen and blooming trees [her ideal] but he spoke
for the far horizon [freedom from Killicks – change]” (29). motif
“Janie hurried out of the front gate and turned south”(32). motif
“The morning road air was like a new dress. That made her feel
the apron tied around her waist. She untied it and flung it on a
low bush beside the road and walked on, picking flowers and
making a bouquet”(32). Simile, imagery
Chapter 4: Janie
“From now on until death she was going to have flower dust
and springtime sprinkled over everything” (32).
“A bee for her bloom” (32).
“Her old thoughts were going to come in handy now, but new
words would have to be made and said to fit them” (32).
Joe Starks is not the pear tree but he is closer to her ideal
and freedom from being Logan Killick’s mule.
“Green Cove Springs” (33). We all know the symbolism here
Chapter 4: Janie’s hair
“He [Logan Killicks] had ceased to wonder at her long black
hair and finger it” (26). The honeymoon is over.
When Janie first sees Joe Starks she goes to the pump to get
his attention and “also made her hair fall down” (27). She
is attracted to this new man.
Joe Starks tells Janie, “Kiss me and shake yo’ head. When
you do dat, yo’ plentiful hair breaks lak day” (30). Feeling
is mutual.
Janie’s hair is a symbol of her femininity and sexuality.
It also represents freedom – when she sees Joe Starks as a
possible way out of her situation – her hair falls out of its
restraints – braid
Summary of Ch 1-4
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Janie does not care about how other’s judge her.
Janie was unaware of racial differences that would limit
her (as a child and teenager)
Nanny felt that Johnny Taylor would kill her dreams of a
better life for Janie. Logan at least would protect her,
provide for her, and make her respectable. The irony here
is that although Killicks owns property, he will try to use
Janie as a work mule – the very thing Nanny was trying to
protect Janie against.
Janie hoped that marriage would bring love. Realizing
that it does not, kills her dream, but makes her become
more realistic.
Chapter 1-4
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Joe Starks holds out the promise of a better future
than Logan Killicks does, but he is not her romantic
ideal.
Janie gives up domestic life with Killicks, adjusts her
dream, and begins a new life with Joe Starks.