ctompo+Blog

So far the book has been a difficult read, mostly because of the Southern diolect. Though I really like the book so far, the underlying meanings, especially the first few pages have been very significant. I must say however that I have been ajusting to the fashion that the book is written in, as I find I no longer have to read it aloud. This book a reminds me of Huckleberry Finn and yes I am sure many others have the same sentaments. This is due to the simple fact that both books were written in a Southern diolect and emphisize the rashal injustices of the time period. But, the two books have quite different writing stiles, one relying on humorism (Huckleberry Finn), and the other a more serious tone (Their Eyes Were Watching God). Mark Twain always loved to give a good jab to some of his readers.

Chapters 3-4 conveyed quite the unsettling mood to me. I think Logan Killicks treatment of Janie was what purpitrated this the most. The later in the novel, she meets Joe Starks who I have my doubts about. My major reasoning for this assertion is that we are only thirdy some odd pages into the book and I am sure everything is not just clear skies and flurishing pear trees from here on out. Not to be pessimistic (as I so often am) but, I am quite sure there is much more suffering to be had by all and if you think otherwise, then you are living proof that "Denial ain't just a river in Egypt" (Mark Twain). The relationships the novel remind me of the relationships present in "The Great Gatsby". One person in the novel, in particular, by the name of Tom Buchanan has similar character traites to the two men that have been encountered by Janie in "Their Eyes Were Watching God" so far. Tom is both controlling and has a superiority complex. In "Their Eyes Were Watching God" Logan is controlling and Joe has a superiority complex.

Chapter 5- To begin I have had my suspicions about Starks, now much of those suspicions have been confirmed. Now I know how power hungry he is, how empty, with no success to wash away that maculation ordained to him at birth. My guess is that he has subconscious feelings, evoking the rationalizing, in his own mind, the need to be overly assertive and controlling. It also explains his discomfort with Janie's self-identity and hence is why he prevents her from making a speech. He wishes to subvert Janie's identity that she has made for herself, in order to control her. This section of "Their Eyes were Watching God" reminds me of the novel "Z for Zachariah". Ann Burden (protagonist) finds herself the lone surviver (at least she thinks) of a nuclear war and its ensuing fallout, living in small town, which is unaffected by the radiantion. Later on however, she finds a man in a radiation suit wandering around the town and sees him drink from the radoctive stream. Seeing the ensuing sickness, Ann attemps to nurse him back to health. But, after nursing the man (John R. Loomis) back to health, he develops to become controlling and harsh, which reminds me of what Stark is developing into (if he was not already that way). Also, I wonder how long Janie will stomach Stark's overly domineer personality?

Chapter 6- Well, it is no suprise that the tention between Janie and Stark has esculated. But, it did shock me when Stark paid five dollars to buy the mule and spare it of its torture. It is unclear however, if this action is of a genuine kindness or rather to further other motives. Was it to impress Janie? Was it to further highten his image in the town or something inbetween? Still, I have come to the coclusion that no character in the novel (so far) is instinctively evil, rather their acts are a concequence of the established social hierarchy that is the only way that many of the characters know how to live. This social hierarchy is illustrated through the ideals of the towns men, as it partains to the role(s) of women. In the previously stated sense, this section of the novel reminds me, however loosely, of "Brave New World" (I know, I know "How am I supposed to pull this one off?). In "Brave New World" child are genetically engineered and subliminally influenced into certian beliefs, which the state deems proper. Ultimately, the children become adults, who know nothing beyond the extents of what they have been "force fed". Is it that persons fault for what they have become? And, to parrallel, at what point is a person responsible for who they are?

Chapter (7-10) Joe Stark is no more... but, a least he meets his end relizing his mistakes and not staying in the "bliss" of ignorance. Now Tea Cake (Vergible Woods), I am apprehensive to pass any judgement upon him, yet. It is still a mystery as to who he truely is, sure he is flirtatious and he seems to respect Janie, as a person, by asking if she would like to play checkers, which no other man has ever done. The problem is that Janie has not had the most stellar record when choosing men, but maybe this one will turn out better then the last ones (that is setting the bar low). Well, considering I can't use "Taming the Shrew", I have found the next best thing. "McLintock!" is a movie with John Wayme that is based on "Taming the Shrew". In "McLintock!" Douglas, the man attemping to cort McLintock's wife (Katherine), wishes to do so only to gain her money and menipulate her. This reminds me of the suiters that try to court Janie after Joe Stark's death. They do not respect her as a person only as an object of desire and wealth. I truely hope that Vergible Woods is a better man then the previous lot, otherwise this novel might drag on with more misery and misfortune.

Chapter (11-14)- Tea Cake has grown quite rapidily on Janine. Even though Janie has her suspicions about Tea Cake those are eventually put to rest. But, I have a feeling that Tea Cake's gambelling will ultimately proove to be his undoing. This possible misfortune may be forshadowed when he is cut by an angry gambler, after Tea Cake won three hundred and twenty-two dollars from him. The cut might infact be a symbol of the dangers of gambling, but only the preceeding chapters will tell. Throughout these chapters I felt like I was watching the "Titanic", with the remantic relationship and the social class difference between the two star struck lovers. The setting of an oceanianic ship is in drastic contrast to the post-slavery South, but themes espressed in it are of similar content (class influence on love, for example). In all honesty, I am not the biggest advicate of the movie, to much dreamy, sophmoric "love mush" for me. Looking back, I feel as though I was reading some story written in the diary of some teenage girl, who thinks she knows what love is (not say I know what love is myself, as I have not lived long enough for the extacy of spring to fade away into a winter much wiser then bold).

Chapter (15-17)- These chapter's were of a great significance, specifically the quote //**"It was inevitable that she should accept any inconsistency and cruelty from her deity as all good worshippers do from theirs. All gods who receive homage are cruel. All gods dispense suffering without reason. Otherwise they would not be worshipped. Through indiscriminate suffering men know fear and fear is the most divine emotion. It is the stones for altars and the beginning of wisdom. Half gods are worshipped in wine and flowers. Real gods require blood." (145)**//, but I will go into details (meaning, author prupose, etc.). Infact, I would like to start a __discussion__. Tea Cakes obsessive gambling reminds me of the movie "21". A group of MIT students works on counting cards in order to eventually use the tactics at casinos. However, after having win after consecutive win the casinos begin to catch on. In the end the group losses everything do to internal conflicts. This is what I think Tea Cakes gambling will develop into (it might be similar).



Chapter (18)- Well, I am having a hard time not explicating instead of reflecting. The problem is that I do not want to reveal anything prior to the discussion form. But I digress, this whole chapter's main purpose was in weathering "the storm" both literally and in a metaphorical sense. Janie has weathered other "storms", though not in the litteral sense. The social doctrines of the Eatonville and of her past two husbands could parrallel the storm in that the storm is without conscience and Janie cannot defeat them, only weather them. The movie "The Perfect Storm" is similar to this chapter in that the crue of the Andrea Gial must endore the violent hurricane that has ensued, while they are at sea. In both the novel and in the movie the people choose to endure the storm .The diffence is that the storm ultimately ends the ship's crue in the "The Perfect Storm". The real question is what envokes the people to weather such a storm and to what ends?

Chapter (19- 20)- And here it is, the final two chapters of the novel. I must say the novel after Tea Cake's death is very anti-climatic, with Janie moving back to Eatonville and being completely satisfied and feeling at peace. I also must say that I throughly enjoyed when the people of the muck ran Mrs. Turner's brother out of town agian, because of their guilt at the funeral (I found it very humorous), talk about taking it out on someone else. Sadly, these anti-climatic chapters remind me all to much of America's world record holding baseball team, the Pirates. I remember it fondly, it is the beginning of brand new baseball season, talk show hosts and other die-hard sports enthusiasts are busy talking up the born again Pirates, as if they had a prayer. But, the Pirates have one major curve ball in their mit, consistency. Soon enough the Pirates are right back on track for to furthering their world record, bringing fans the fist clenching excitement they so crave. It is important to note that the Pirate have been well documented in psychology journals for helping to improve a viewer's self-esteem. The Pirates also offer great benefits to their fans, like their cheaply priced seats, buy one penut gallery ticket and you can have a front row box seat, it's not like anyone else will be there. But, since the franchize has had such difficulty carting in its exstatic fans to the stadium, they are now hosting fireworks every game night and give away a free Ken Griffey Jr card with every ticket perchase. So, come on down fans to another promising season of Pirate's baseball and remember your not a Pirate unless you play like you have scurvy.