Journal #8

#1. The passage where Tea Cake combs Janie's hair is filled with connotative and loaded language (a very definite use of diction).

"Then Tea Cake went to the piano without so much as asking and began playing blues and singing, and throwing grins over his shoulder. The sounds lulled Janie to soft slumber and she woke up with Tea Cake combing her hair and scratching the dandruff from her scalp. It made her more comfortable and drowsy." (TEWWG 99)

Throwing grins implies a) that Tea Cake is trying to make her happy and b) that being with her makes him happy. 'lulled' both takes into account a sense of being made unaware (perhaps in regard to his social position) as well as indicating a soothing-ness from Tea Cake's presence. The insertion of the the words comfortable and drowsy indicate once again that Tea Cake has a positive effect.
Hurston probably uses this language to give the reader a positive impression of Tea Cake.

#2. The same passage also gives an example of comparison and contrast. Tea Cake is compared to Janie in terms of their similar goals and desires and their inherent compassion demonstrated through their relationship which highlights these aspects of Janie that through the rest of the story had been lost in her conflicts. This positive representation of Tea Cake also serves to contrast with the other characters that claim he is worth nothing. Had Hurston simply given us their point of view, our perspective of his actions would seem intentionally malicious and to be immediately distrusted. However, the way she describes these events allow the reader to contrast him against the claims and even come to the conclusion that those against Tea Cake are overly judgmental (on account of the fact that we see positive language describing Tea Cake and neutral language describing the other observers). This also begins to set up Tea Cake as a small, potential anti-hero, as a character who represents a positive force to the reader but seems to be shunned by the surrounding society as poor and useless.

#3. The following passage that takes place during Janie and Tea Cake's fight in her house is a good use of both third person limited (which Hurston rarely utilizes), and analysis of the caricature of poverty/youth, and her input of Persona.

"At the newel post Janie whirled around and for the space of a thought she was lit up like a transfiguration. Her next thought came crashing down. He's just saying anything for the time being, feeling he's got me so I'll believe him. The next thought buried her under tons of cold futility. He's trading on being younger than me. Getting ready to laugh at me for an old fool. But oh, what wouldn't I give to be twelve years younger so I could b'lieve him!" (TEWWG 100)

Firstly, this represents a good example of third person limited, allowing us to see into 1 character's (Janie's) thoughts.This allows the reader to see Janie's internal conflict over whether or not to trust Tea Cake. Throughout the book there are examples of places that Janie's thoughts are seen. However, this is only of the few places that it is done from a first person perspective (the usage of He, and I, and me). This indicates to some degree a use of persona which Hurston placed to represent herself and the reader. By seeing this situation from a first person perspective, Hurston allows the reader to consider the conundrum as their own problem and better understand that perspective. When setting up this conflict, Hurston uses the caricature both of impoverished people and of youth. In particular, Hurston seems to question the validity of these caricatures. Janie is torn between believing the stereotype presented (ex. poor people being driven and motivated for money or gain to take advantage of, or youth which is seen as fickle and unable to commit) and being able to overcome these labels and see what later becomes the truth.