Comments by Abigail Fabre Most recent public comments by Abigail Fabre https://nowcomment.com/users/144024 the irony of this in the greater context of the novel. Janie's entire journey is searching for freedom and authenticity in a world where she is expected to perform and do as she is told. https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290488 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290488 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:37:10 -0700 those who once were her community, she now must be protected from. andthose her nanny warned her about are standing in her support. this role reversal is interesting https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290487 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290487 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:35:43 -0700 community judgement https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290483 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290483 like the town at the beginning of the novel, they are starting to craft thier own version of Janie's story, one barely based in reality Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:33:56 -0700 I love this sentence https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290479 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290479 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:32:21 -0700 I think it also shows the community turned on her. Before she and Tea Cake were both beloved pillars of the community, that same community has turned its back on her, like the town in the beginning of the novel https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290478 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290478 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:31:41 -0700 I think its so sad that Janie loved Tea Cake so much that she rationalized his behavior and tried to take another route until she had no other choice https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290474 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290474 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:29:56 -0700 foreshadowing. Janie puts him out of his misery https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290469 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290469 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:25:26 -0700 This is really the only white character of the book, at least one with any dialogue, except for the court scene. This white man is intergrated into Black society https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290466 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290466 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:23:41 -0700 in death and tragedy, we are all the same https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290462 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290462 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:19:52 -0700 as this takes place during JIm Crow, this reminds me of all the anti-loitering laws that were put in place that targeted Black people simply standing around in public in order to incarcerate them and be able to get free labor from them, like in this scene https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290461 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290461 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:19:10 -0700 this is kind of off topic but I love the character's personal idiosyncracies and sayings. Tea Cake uses the phrase "shot with tacks" a couple of times throughout the novel and I just think it makes his dialogue so distinctive (among other things), https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290456 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290456 especially in these long stretches of dialogue Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:16:02 -0700 this whole section is just so much foreshadowingggggg https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290453 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290453 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:14:02 -0700 i think the staging of this is also interesting. A furious dog riding a cow is an evocative image to be sure. The possesive nature of the dog, the almost victimhood of the cow in everything, it almost reminds me of Janie's past marriages. Her husbands https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290452 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290452 were possesive and used her for their own gain while she was left to struggle beneath them Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:12:44 -0700 Even now they are equal, both having to hold one another up, both trying to support and car fr each other https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290437 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290437 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:08:40 -0700 I googled this, and apparently its a refence to folk tales that say that people's souls would fly back to Africa! Cool! I love all the cultural details Hurston weaves into the novel to create an authentic tapestry of Black society at this time and place https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290433 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290433 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:03:48 -0700 I love the syntax here, it really portrays the rationalizing of an obviously poor decision https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290432 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290432 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:58:53 -0700 references the diversity present within the Black community! this is so cool https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290431 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290431 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:56:31 -0700 maybe my reading comprehension is failing me right now because it's kinda late, but what does this mean?? https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290430 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290430 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:55:49 -0700 AND THEM TALKING ABOUT HOW YOU CAN SEE IT????? genuinely makes my stomach turn. https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290429 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368826?scroll_to=3290429 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:52:02 -0700 could be a metaphor for their love, they stay even when it is harder and when others quit https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290414 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290414 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:41:44 -0700 the language and context clues here are, I think, intentionally vague. He has a good excuse but he also looks shameful. It is up to the reader to either place their trust in Tea Cake or not, just as it is Janie's choice https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290413 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290413 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:37:51 -0700 I think this is part of Janie's growth as a character. As Janie learns love and what it means to cherish someone's love, she also learns the fear that comes with the chance of losing it. Love is not without pain https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290412 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290412 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:36:27 -0700 While Tea Cake's wins are played up, his losses are minimized by the narrator. This could reflect Janie's 'rose colored' recollection https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290411 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290411 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:34:09 -0700 foil https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290409 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290409 where joe was very serious and didn't really joke around, much less make people laugh, Tea Cake is filled with joy and laughter Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:32:00 -0700 this also foreshadows janie defending herself against the rabid tea cake later in the novel and establishes the irony as he was the one that taught her to shoot in the first place https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290407 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290407 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:30:07 -0700 Her old self or the persona that was created for her is crushed by this love and allows her true self, her soul, to come out https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290404 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290404 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:25:24 -0700 this is also another way where Tea Cake shows that he wants Janie to be an equal. Where Jodie wanted Janie to have nice clothed to parade her around as a status symbol, Tea Cake wants to share his life with Janie, even during harder times. He doesn't want https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290401 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290401 to cage her or put her on a pedastal Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:23:31 -0700 I feel like this also foreshadows his protection of Janie from the dog. He is willing to sacrifice himself for her https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290387 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290387 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 19:58:12 -0700 this made me giggle https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290386 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290386 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 19:51:32 -0700 This is the first relationship that Janie is an equal. She is able to actually respond to and even fight with Tea Cake as an equal, unlike her previous husbands. https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290385 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3290385 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 19:50:37 -0700 It is interesting to see the narration veer off into dialect to show Janie's desperation. I think it's really effective, showing how Janie is begging God to let her lover return and love her back. Hurston's narration is intentional, moving from standard https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3289009 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3289009 english to dialect to show the heightened emotional state of Janie Tue, 16 Apr 2024 07:49:31 -0700 This is just so raw, Janie really loves him, despite all that has gone wrong and what may still go wrong. All Janie wants is love https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3289008 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3289008 Tue, 16 Apr 2024 07:46:11 -0700 Annie Tyler was likely in a similar position to Janie. She wanted something out of life greater than just being a wife. Perhaps she wanted love, or desire, or adventure, or companionship. However, we will never know because her story, through the gossiped https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3289007 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3289007 way Janie heard it, is focused more on the wrongness and shame of what Annie did than what Annie sought. She is reduced, like many women, to other's judgement of her. She has no voice, no way to speak for herself or what her life was missing. Janie fears being left, yes, but I think she also fears being silenced again for she has been silent for so long. Tue, 16 Apr 2024 07:45:04 -0700 In a weird way I both agree and disagree? I think she uses it that way but with a twist. Typically, it would be garnering sympathy or humor because it shows the character is not intelligent. However, I don't think Hurston is implying that these people are https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3288990 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368832?scroll_to=3288990 not intelligent, in fact quite the opposite. These characters are deeply complicated and Hurston still choosing to use eye dialect is, to be, a subversion of how people view those who speak in dialect (like our characters). Hurston is asserting that, despite our assumptions based on the dialect, these characters have rich inner lives. This is also asserted by the contrast between the narrator and the dialogue. Because of the more 'formal' English of the narrator, we understand the complexity of Janie's inner world. To the world of story, however, Janie's dialogue is informal and alone does not clue the reader into the intricacies of her mind. Hurston is reminding readers to check their biases i think :) Tue, 16 Apr 2024 07:37:09 -0700 Tea Cake is an acts of service king https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3277013 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3277013 Tue, 02 Apr 2024 04:05:30 -0700 cooperation in the kitchen https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3277011 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3277011 every other husband has viewed the kitchen as solely Janie's responsibility, Jody even beating her over it. However, Tea Cake views this as a collaborative experience. He wants to work with her, not have her work for him Tue, 02 Apr 2024 04:04:11 -0700 youthfulness in love https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3277009 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3277009 this also makes Janie feel young and recall herself before the first guy (whose name im forgetting) and Jody Tue, 02 Apr 2024 04:00:45 -0700 even nice p.2 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3277005 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3277005 Tea Cake's use of even nice means that maybe, to Bella's point, that this is Tea Cake's word choice (as this is the first time it's been said aloud) sticking out in Janie's (or whoever's) mind in retelling this story Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:55:04 -0700 vernacular https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3277004 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3277004 this is one of the few instances that Hurston chooses to explain vernacular or slang terms Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:52:29 -0700 Even nice! https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3277002 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3277002 For me, this repetition of nice shows that what may seem like the bare minimum to us is outstanding to Janie, given the time period and her history. It is incredible that a man to be nice to her Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:45:32 -0700 porches https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3277000 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3277000 Maybe I just watch too much Bridgerton, but I love the idea of social gain and territory represented through physical spaces. Also this calls back to the importance of porches earlier in the novel Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:36:43 -0700 I love this sentence https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3276998 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3276998 I just think that this is such a succinct way of putting something that is honestly a pretty widely experienced thing. I also think that this and Janie's late night soul searching in general is indicative of an overall maturing as Janie learns to be true to herself Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:27:07 -0700 The Little Emperor Joepoleon https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3276997 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368824?scroll_to=3276997 "The little emperor" is sometimes used to refer to Napoleon Bonaparte, a man who was exceedingly power hungry and took control of france, dubbing himself Emperor. Though he did help France in the wake of the French revolution, he was deeply authoritarian. This description also fits Joe. Power hungry, helping the town at the cost of being a dictator to it. This historical allusion gives us insight to Joe's legacy and the sense of importance surrounding his death Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:23:06 -0700 I think it is interesting that Janie chooses to also tell this man her maiden name. For me, this showed her interest in him and her disconnect from her marriage as she still feels connected enough to her maiden name to want to tell it to a virtual strange https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268900 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268900 r Sun, 17 Mar 2024 21:33:03 -0700 this description also somewhat fits what Nanny predicted Janie would prefer and fall for and warned her against it. https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268899 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268899 Sun, 17 Mar 2024 21:30:05 -0700 I also think this is somewhat of a callback to the opening paragraph of the novel with men v. women and dreams. I think this is part of a greater commentary on womanhood and what it means to be and become a woman in this society https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268898 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268898 Sun, 17 Mar 2024 21:27:23 -0700 I disagree. I think it is more that Janie is still 'kept.' Before as a child and now as a wife. However, I agree that she has always been denied what she truly desires and that is why she continues to be enamored with what is beyond the gate https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268897 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268897 Sun, 17 Mar 2024 21:25:42 -0700 I think that this sentence and this exchange in general is really interesting because, to me at least, it is clear that Janie is the 'problem.' Logan loves or at least wants Janie and he treats her very well. Janie doesn't love him and knows that and seek https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268896 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268896 to change that. I cant help but wonder if Janie and Logan's marriage would have ended up differently if Nanny had given Janie some advice on how to like Logan better rather than brushing her off because Janie does want to want him, as she says here. I think that Janie being told to initially deny herself of what she wants (love, in this case) is really going to be the trigger for the rest of this novel as Janie learns to be an adult Sun, 17 Mar 2024 21:21:24 -0700 I think this is also a huge sign of janie's youth and immaturity. she has never had a relationship, much less been in love so she just assumes that it will happen. I agree with Holden that this will be one of the first things that Janie changes her mind https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268895 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268895 on as she starts to change and mature Sun, 17 Mar 2024 21:15:44 -0700 Hurston has such a way of summing up the human experience in just a few sentences. I feel like everyone has had years of questions and years of answers. She just puts it into words so simply and poignantly https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268894 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268894 Sun, 17 Mar 2024 21:12:45 -0700 YES THIS HURT. but also I think the inclusion of Nanny's story and perspective is very important and adds a lot of nuance to Janie's story. It would be easy to paint Nanny as a villain or any number of things as she is forcing Janie into a marriage that https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268893 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268893 she doesn't want. however, in learning how Nanny had to fight for her own and her daughter's life only to have her daughter be raped and traumatized so young it is a lot more reasonable that Nanny wants Janie married and more protected. Even if Janie is not happy or in love, at least she will not be hurt like Nanny's daughter was. Additionally this story throws new light onto why Janie's mother is so absent. Again, it would be easy to simply state that she is an absentee alcoholic mother, which she is, but it makes much more sense when we learn that she was raped and bore a child from it at a very young age. I think this is setting a precedent for the rest of the novel that characters, especially those who can easily be demonized (like the town does to grown Janie), are a lot more complex than they seem Sun, 17 Mar 2024 21:10:21 -0700 this sentence was SO. also just the general contrast between the popular portrayal of a first kiss and Janie's first kiss. The stereotypical first kiss is romantic and almost innocent, indicative of youth. In contrast, Janie's first kiss is not out of https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268888 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268888 love but rather plain old curiosity and instead of being youthful, this kiss is the end of her childhood. But I agree completely, Hurston is able to pack such a punch by stating it so plainly as the end of something, especially childhood is something that is so hard for us to admit to ourselvles Sun, 17 Mar 2024 20:58:57 -0700 I disagree that race is downplayed in the novel. I think race and gender are very central to this novel as they are central to Janie's lived experience. Through Janie's life, race relations, gender roles, and the intersection of the two are explored. https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268887 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268887 I personally find this kind of political commentary much more moving and I think that the fact that this novel's discussion of race and gender is through the eyes of an individual rather than a monolith makes it that much more profound. In their eyes were watching god, Janie's personal life is political. It is a radical act for her to marry and remarry and run away and everything else she does (idk yet but i guess we will find out). Additionally, I think it is really interesting how this novel shows the different perspectives of Black people on race through different characters. Nanny obviously views her blackness differently than Janie views hers. this is a really long comment sorry julia Sun, 17 Mar 2024 20:52:44 -0700 I think this sentence is just stunning. We learn so much about Janie in this sentence alone. Not only do the other women of the town dislike her and look for ways to tear her down, but we learn that it is because they are jealous of her strength and of https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268883 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268883 perceived 'above-ness.' For some reason, Janie is above these women and they wish to bring her back down Sun, 17 Mar 2024 20:42:34 -0700 I agree! the use of vernacular gives this novel's characters such depth. I also think its a really interesting way to develop the setting of the story and show the culture of these people to the reader without necessarily having to explain it https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268876 https://nowcomment.com/documents/368823?scroll_to=3268876 Sun, 17 Mar 2024 20:38:08 -0700