Lit Heroines Their Eyes were watching God

Nanny Crawford

Is the grandmother to Janie. She dies early within the book. Is known to be a “accomplished storyteller and slave narrator”.

Janie Crawford

Is the main character within the book. Is known to be “independent, tough and cautiously romantic”.

Logan Killicks

Is the first husband to Janie. He is known to be a “beast, abusive and emerged”.

Joe Starks

Is Janie’s second husband and a born entrepreneur with a few good qualities

Tea Cake

Is the third husband to Janie. He is known to be supportive of Janie, kind and comforting.

Pheoby Watson

Is the best friend to Janie

Leafy Crawford

Is the mother to Janie, she never met her mother.

Mrs. Turner

Is a lady who has very high opinions of Janie, makes fun of her for marrying tea cake, believes she should marry someone of her own kind

What does the pear tree signify?

It helps to identify Janie’s inner self. Along with this, Janie’s questions, hopes and aspirations.

What does the horizon signify?

Signifies Janie’s overall “wholeness and self acceptance of herself”.

What does the high chair signify?

Refers to the being of social class. This mostly being within Joe and Janie’s life.

What does Janie’s hair signify?

Helps to identify the “symbol of her power an unconventional identity”.

What does the porch signify?

Helps to show a “symbol for community”.

What does Matt Bonner’s mule signify?

Helps to identify “Joe and Janie’s tense and deteriorating relationship “.

What does the muck signify?

Refers to the Everglades.

What does the hurricane/ Lake Okeechobee signify?

Helps to signify “the destructive fury of nature”.

What does Nanny want Janie to marry Logan Killicks?

Because he is a white man and it would look odd if Janie was hanging out with a man (especially not married). Along with this, she feels that “he’s unattractive and does not resemble her image of a blooming pear tree”.

Why was Janie unhappy with Logan Killicks?

Due to the fact that he did not represent the essence of true love love in which she imagined.

Why was Janie attracted to Joe Starks?

He allowed Janie to prosper her dreams in which she had in place for herself without taking into account gender roles.

What was important about Eatonville?

Is that it “became the first black-incorporated municipality in the United States in 1887”.

What was Joe Starks role in Eatonville?

Is known to be the “big man” within the town, in asperations to be the mayor.”

What was Janie’s role in Eatonville?

Was known to be “Mrs. Mayor Starks”, along with having little to no role in the town due to her husbands overall status to the town.

How did Janie’s marriage end to Joe Starks?

The marriage ends when Joe dies.

How did Janie shock Eatonville after Joe Starks death?

The town was shocked through the action of Janie killing him within the act of self defense.

What changes to herself does Janie make to herself after Joe Starks death?

One of the main changes was that she burned “her head rags to symbolize her new independence from Joe’s control”.

How is Tea Cake different than Joe Starks?

That Tea Cake was full of compassion to Janie, let her voice be heard and showed her what the meaning of true love was.

What significant doubts does Janie and the town have about Tea Cake?

That he is spending time with other women (in the field) and has a sense of control towards Janie.