In this passage, Hurston creates an image of the Virgin Mary cradling her son Jesus in her lap after he is crucified. Although Janie is not Tea Cake’s mother, she is twelve years his senior. After shooting Tea Cake in self defense, Janie places Tea Cake’s head in her lap and holds him tightly, all while thanking him for his constant support and jovial attitude that made Janie feel years younger. Tea Cake serves as a Christ figure for Janie. Hurston shapes Tea Cake to be a Christ figure in order to deepen the importance of his sacrifice, as well as to add another dimension to Janie’s perseverance. Tea Cake fell ill and lost his life as a result of a dog bite he received while attempting to save Janie during the hurricane. Although he dies as …show more content…
Before Joe succumbs to his illness, he has an argument with Janie where he accuses her of being unappreciative throughout the course of their relationship. Janie fires back and expresses her anger regarding how Joe never let Janie’s true colors shine through. Throughout Joe and Janie’s relationship, Joe attempts to shape Janie into a submissive woman who simply agrees with whatever he has to say. He silences Janie’s voice and does not let her express her true emotions or viewpoints. On the contrary, Tea Cake does not marry Janie simply for her money; rather, he marries her because of her intellect, sense of stability, and wit. This passage serves to emphasize the extent of the sacrifices Tea Cake makes to give Janie the loving life she long yearned …show more content…
Janie cannot stand to be reminded of Tea Cake, as painful feelings of despair and desolation flood her mind to the brim. However, Janie decides to keep a packet of Tea Cake’s seeds. Through repeatedly mentioning the act of planting through words such as “garden seed”, Hurston is stressing how Janie does not lack hope. Seeds are representative of growth and change. Although Janie now feels lost without Tea Cake as her guide, Hurston affirms that Janie will one day find her way. Janie has repeatedly expressed her independence, whether it be through standing up for herself when Joe mocks her “old” appearance in front of his friends or when she walks around the town with her hair down despite being told that she should not wear her hair this way because she is too “old” to do so, and will once again find comfort in knowing that, despite her long-lasting relationship wishes, she does not have to depend on others to provide her with a sense of