Janie’s Responses to Getting Beat
In Their Eyes Were Watching God, both Jody and Tea Cake beat Janie. However, Janie reacts in very different ways to the two men--she’s heavily affected when Jody beats her, but seems to just brush it off when Tea Cake does it. I think this contrast can be connected to her personal development and empowerment throughout the book. Before Jody beats Janie, and even more so after, Janie is submissive to Jody and she has no power in their marriage. Her life revolves around satisfying Jody’s wishes, and she seems to have accepted it. After Jody beats her, Janie stays with him because she feels that she doesn’t have a choice. Jody’s total control over her has left her powerless, and she doesn’t yet have the strength to do anything about his abuse. In contrast, Janie’s reaction to Tea Cake beating her could show that she has become much more powerful. I think the fact that it doesn’t have the same destructive psychological effects on her indicates that she has become stronger mentally--she b