Their Eyes Were Watching God-Journal 4

References to mules

“De nigger woman is de mule uh de world so fur as Ah can see.” (14)

“Take for instance the case of Matt Bonner’s yellow mule.  They had him up for conversation every day the Lord sent.” (51)

“‘…You got uh town so you freed uh mule.’” (58)

In the beginning of the book it is mentioned that colored women are “the mules of the world.”  The mule in Eatonville is stubborn and does what it wants.  This is what Janie wants to be able to do.  Later in the book, she does gain her independence in a way and becomes like the mule.  After the mule dies it is left to the buzzards.  After Tea Cake dies, Janie goes back to her hometown and the people there that are judging her are like the buzzards.

The Porch

In the beginning of chapter five the porch is mentioned a lot, but the word “porch” is used to describe the inanimate object in front of the store.

“Just about time for the committee meeting called to meet on his porch the next day…” (40)

Towards the end of chapter six the word “porch” is not only used to describe an actual porch, it is also used to describe the group of people that are always on the porch.

“This was what the porch was waiting for.  They burst into a laugh.” (73)

Janie is forced by Jody to stay in the store and not participate in the gossip and talk that happens on the porch.  She’s kind of on the outside looking in.

Janie’s Hair

Jody requires Janie to tie her hair up in a rag.  He doesn’t want other people to see her hair because he doesn’t want them thinking of Janie in a way they shouldn’t be.  He’s jealous of them and wants her all to himself.

“This business of the head-rag irked her endlessly.  But Jody was set on it.  Her hair was NOT going to show in the store.”

Because Janie wears the head-rag it causes other people to judge her.  Sam and Hicks are an example of this when they talk on the porch.

“‘Whut make her keep her head tied up lak some ole ‘oman round de store?  Nobody couldn’t git me tuh tie no rag on mah head if Ah had hair lak dat.’”

Jody wants to have power over Janie and making her wear a head-rag is a way of doing so.  The head-rag issue lends itself to helping other motifs, judgment and power, be developed.  As the character of Janie develops in the book, her hair changes to reflect the state of life she’s in at the time.