Journal #10

Despite society's expectations for the role of women in a relationship, it is not necessary for women to conform to these unspoken rules.

I will then go on to explain Janie's transformation from the stereotypical woman in an unbalanced relationship to a woman with power in her relationship.

"'If you don't want him, you sho oughta. Heah you is wid the onliest organ in town, amongst colored folks, in yo' parlor. Got a house bought and paid for and sixty acres uh land right on de big road...'" (pg. 41) The expectation that women should marry for security as opposed to love.

"Jaine's first dream was dead, so she became a woman." (pg. 44) Shows that society marks womanhood by making compromises and giving up dreams.

"'Thank yuh fuh yo' complements, but mah wife don't know nothin' 'bout no speech-making'. Ah never married her for nothin' lak dat. She's uh woman and her place is in de home.'" (pg. 69) Society's expectations for women.

"'Somebody got to think for women and chillun and chickens and cows. I god, they sho don't think none theirselves.'" (pg. 110) Shows the mindset towards women.

"'It's too late fuh y'all tuh be splittin' up and gittin' divorced. Just g'wan back home and set down on yo' royal diasticutis and say nothin'.'" (pg 127) An example of society's expectations.

"Then she starched and ironed her face, forming it into just what people wanted to see..." (pg. 135) An example of Janie being what everybody else wanted her to be.

"'Uh woman be herself is uh pitiful thing', she was told over and again. 'Dey needs aid and assistance. God never meant 'em tuh try tuh stand by theirselves. You ain't been used tuh knockin' round and doin' fuh yo'self, Mis' Starks. You been well taken keer of, you needs uh man.'" (pg. 139) Shows the mindset towards women.

"He set it up and began to show her and she found herself glowing inside. Somebody wanted her to play. Somebody thought it natural for her to play." (pg. 146) This is the first time she ever got to play what society considered a "man's game".

"It was so crazy digging worms by lamp light and setting out for Lake Sabelia after midnight that she felt like a child breaking rules. That's what made Janie like it." (pg. 155) This is the first time Janie had the power over herself to do what she wanted, this is why she found breaking society's rules so pleasurable.