Pattern #1: Multiple assumptions based on what they think “is” or what must be determined by visual ‘proof’. This dependence on visual sight repeats often.
a) “Unless you see de fur, a mink skin ain’t no different from a coon hide.” (7)
b) “’Den dey all laughed real hard. But before Ah seen de picture Ah thought Ah wuz just like de rest.” (9)
c) “Maybe it’s some place way off in de ocean where de black man is in power, but we don’t know nothin’ but what we see” (14)
d) She could see no way for it to come about, but Nanny and the old folks had said it, so it must be so […] It was just so.” (20)
Pattern #2: Instances where a physical experience is considered differently by the characters
a) “Lawd, Ah know dat grass-gut, liver-lipted nigger ain’t done took and beat mah baby already!” (21) [Note: already implies expectation in the status quo]
b) “’’Cause Ah hates de way his head is so long one way and so flat on de sides and dat pone uh fat back uh his neck.’” (23) [Note: Janie disagrees with Nanny as to whether physical features are important in a marriage]
c) “Nanny used to ketch us in our devilment and lick every young’un on de place and Mis’ Washburn did de same” (8)
d) “She slapped the girl’s face violently […] Nanny wouldn’t harm a hair uh yo’ head. She don’t want nobody else to do it neither if she kin help it.” (14)
e) “She begin to slap mah jaws ever which a’way. Ah never felt the fust ones ‘cause Ah wuz too busy gittin’ de kivver back over mah chile. […] Ah had too many feelin’s tuh tell which one tuh follow so Ah didn’t cry and Ah didn’t do nothin’ else.” (17)
Patter #3: The use of dreams or wishes also appears consistently
a) “The dream is the truth” (1)
b) “Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board.” (1)
c) “Janie’s first dream was dead, so she became a woman.” (24)
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