Joe Stark’s death was the significant external event that illustrates Janie’s self-discovery and subsequent internal change that led to the actuality Janie covet, as well as the freedom away from the grating life Janie dread.
Joe’s death matured Janie. Janie no longer had high expectations for love like she did before she met Joe. Janie learned from Joe that in a marriage, responsibilities come before love. In addition, the marriage between Janie and Joe stayed the same for years. Joe was dominant among others and controlling towards Janie. Everyone had high expectations for Joe and Janie, and Joe knew Janie did not have the knowledge or intelligence he had, so Joe looked down upon Janie. Janie had no background, the only placed Janie seemed to have belonged was under control by a man, and that man happened to be Joe. “Thank yuh fuh yo’ compliments, but mah wife don’t know nothin’ ‘bout no speech-makin’. Ah never married her for nothin’ lak dat. She’s uh woman and her place is in de home.” (Hurston, 1937)
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Janie couldn’t help but feel thrilled about her future. “Tain’t dat Ah worries over Joe’s death, Phoeby. Ah jus’ loves dis freedom” (Hurston, 1937) The moment Joe died, both him and Janie’s souls were set free. Janie was now able to breathe. Nothing was holding Janie back anymore, and the possibility to learn about herself and what she wanted in life stimulated Janie, even at her age. Furthermore, after Joe’s death, it took some time for Janie to show interest in another man. Nothing regarding Joe, mainly because Janie didn’t want to settle down with another man that doesn’t treat her the way she wants to be treated. “You wants to be keerful ‘bout who you marry, Mis’ Starks. Dese strange men runnin’ heah tryin’ tuh take advantage of yo’ condition.” (Hurston,