Journal #1

I perceive Janie as a strong and bold character, yet with loyal characteristics. As she walks down the road, she walks to her home confidently, not affected by the staring eyes. She quickly acknowledges her "audience" and proceeds to walk. "Her speech was pleasant enough, but she kept walking straight on to her gate." (2) She knows what they are thinking and knows they are hungry for answers regarding what happened to her and Tea Cake. However, she does not even think about answering the questions. She boldly tells Phoebe, "Ah don't mean to bother wid tellin' 'em nothin', Phoebe. 'Tain't worth de trouble." (6) Also, she is not afraid to criticize those that were on the porch gossiping. She tells Phoebe that "people like dem wastes up too much time puttin' they mouf on things they don't know nothin' about." (6) Her loyalty is seen through her relationship with Phoebe. She is able to converse easily with her best friend upon being gone for a while, and able to share jokes. She also seems loyal to Tea Cake. She clearly explains what happened, making sure Phoebe does not see Tea Cake as a villain. She is defiant in her words when she says, "Tea Cake ain't wasted up no money of mine, and he ain't left me for no young gal, neither. He give me every consolation in de world. He'd tell 'em so too, if he was here." (7) Her confidence shows her loyalty to Tea Cake.

The narrator seems to know all about the characters. The thoughts of the main character and less important characters are revealed. The narrator knows exactly what the women on the porch are thinking and how they are looking at Janie. The narrator explains that the women, "chewed up the back parts of their minds and swallowed with relish. They made burning statements with questions, and killing tools out of laughs." and "took the faded shirt and muddy overalls and laid them away for remembrance. It was a weapon against her strength if it turned out of no significance, still it was a hope that she might fall to their level some day." (2) This explanation that the women on the porch are judging Janie as she walks by is confirmed through the dialogue that follows. By including a narrator that knows a lot, the reader is able to gain a full understanding of what is going on. The narrator also depicts very clear images through the use of figurative language. The opening paragraph of the book is one example.