"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. It didn't seem sensible at all. That was because Joe never told Janie how jealous he was. He never told her how often he had seen the other men figuratively wallowing in it as she went about things in the store." (55)
Joe is the type of man where he will not show his emotions. It seems to me that the character does not want other characters to know he has weaknesses, it would make him less "powerful". Jealousy is a type of fear, and by being fearful of something, in this case, losing Janie to another man, would be nerve wrecking to the character Joe. Also, by not being able to communicate with his wife, the reader will notice how strong, or in this case, how weak their marriage is. Communication is the key to any relationship, with out communication bonds start to weaken and feelings tend to be hurt. Another note, hair is a sign of youth, and by putting up Janie's hair, it makes the character seem older, may not be physically, but possibly mentally. I am starting to get a little frustrated with this book, because this seems to be foreshadowing the relationship between Joe and Janie, and how it is breaking. I believe Hurston is trying to show that everyone has weaknesses and Joe's weakness is his wife.
I agree! Joe doesn't show any emotion whatsoever. All he does is boss Janie around in a rude way.
ReplyDeleteAnd I never thought of that: by Janie putting up her hair, it makes her seem older. I can see that...
Do you not want their relationship to end? Because I got frustrated with their relationship. I wanted Janie to just leave him for another man. He doesn't deserve Janie!
Anyway, there's my two cents.
See you tomorrow in class!