How Is Nany's Idea For Janie Different In Their Eyes Were Watching God

Nanny’s idea for Janie’s life is different from her own idea. Nanny wanted Janie to “‘school out and pick from a higher bush and a sweeter berry’” (13). She wanted Janie to have a man that would protect her and provide for her. At this time, Janie was 16 and she was still a child. She did not understand why Nanny wanted her to marry a much older man. Logan Killicks did not meet her standards that she acquired from the pear tree. Throughout the novel, Janie makes many changes, including location, clothing, social status, and marriages. As a child, Janie got picked on at school and home for being darker than the rest. Janie and Nanny lived together in a house that was Nanny’s employers’ house. Furthermore, Nanny had to work for a living and they were still poor.

Janie was married to Logan Killicks for a year, before marrying Joe Starks. Janie and Joe were married for 20 years, until Joe became sick and died. When Janie was married to Logan and Joe, they were possessive and demanding. Janie wore nice, elegant dresses when married to Logan. When married to Joe, she wore a head wrap to keep her hair up. After Joe died, Janie “tore the kerchief from her head and let down her plentiful hair” (87). Janie doing this could be an act of rebellion against Joe because he could no longer tell her who to be. Later when Janie meets and marries Tea Cake, she wear overalls, which puts her back to where she began. Janie began in a lower social class, then she was middle class with Logan and Joe, then regressed to a lower class with Tea Cake. This makes Janie realize that money is not everything and happiness comes with someone you truly