Death, according to Janie, is "a strange being" with a sword "waiting for the messenger to bid him come." Hurston uses this powerful metaphor to show that Joe feared death and would only die when "the icy sword of the square-toed one had cut off his breath and left his hands in a pose of antagonizing protest." On two occasions, in the store and as Joe is dying, she exerts her independence by standing up for herself.Īlso in Chapter 8, Hurston employs a metaphor for death. For several years, Janie kept her feelings to herself and obeyed Joe. He wanted Janie to be the woman that he wanted her to be. Joe forbid Janie to speak for herself and to be her own person. His refusal has been the basis for their marital troubles. Joe has never been able to accept Janie for who she truly is. Janie insists that the man she ran away with 20 years ago is gone, and Joe is "whut's left after he died." After entering Joe's room, she refuses to leave, even when he demands that she do so. Janie, however, will not allow Joe to manipulate her even as he is dying.Īgain, Janie stands up to Joe.
Joe does not desire Janie's pity he wants Janie to feel guilty for standing up to him in front of the townspeople even though it was years ago. He bans her from his sickroom and refuses to allow Janie to care for him.
In spite of the sincerity of Janie's pleas that he should realize their marriage did not bring them the happiness they both desired when they took that train to Eatonville, Joe dies unrepentant, and Janie looks on with pity for her dead husband.Įven as Joe is dying, he still tries to exert his control over Janie. Joe is terrified at the thought of his impending death. Joe's kidneys have failed, and he is a doomed man.Īlthough Joe has barred her from his sickroom, Janie goes to his bedside and tells the dying man some of the things that should have been said a long time ago. Janie, who doesn't want to give up the custodial responsibilities of a wife, finally gets a doctor, but it's too late. He also stubbornly refuses to see a medical doctor, preferring instead to seek cures from quacks and charlatans. Joe moves out of their bedroom, and as his illness progresses, he refuses to let Janie take care of him. Joe and Janie's meaningless marriage is now shattered.
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