"Their Eyes Were Watching God": Journal 3

I find Jody Starks to be absolutely fascinating. Out of all the characters in the book, I find his complex ego and complete lack of affection for Janie to be one of Hurston's most interestingly characterized characters. I would like to bring attention to the quote "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. And one night he had caught Walter standing behind loose end of her braid ever so lightly so as to enjoy the feel of it without Janie knowing what he was doing. Joe was at the back of the store and Walter didn't see him. He felt like rushing forth with a meat knife and chopping off the offending hand. That night he ordered Janie to tie up her hair around the store" (55) because it shows how possessive and controlling Joe is. In this quote especially, Joe's thoughts make it seem like Janie is more of his property than a woman he loves and respects. Hurston characterizes Joe as a man who must always be in power. If he doesn't feel a sense of power, then he retaliates and often takes it out on Janie. What I also found interesting about this passage was that this was one of the first times the narrator spoke from Joe's perspective. Hurston heavily focuses on the characterization of Joe in chapter six through his verbal and physical actions towards Janie.