New Beginnings

After Jody's death, Janie has some time to herself. She uses it to reflect on their life together, then his, and finally she analyzes her own life. There are multiple references to the mirror, or "the looking glass". The mirror in this context serves as a symbol for Janie's reflection, which she last saw in her youth. Now she goes back and sees that "a handsome woman had taken her place" (Hurston 87). Jody never allowed her to be herself due to his domineering nature, but after his passing Janie can truly see herself and the change and growth she experienced since her youth. Another recurring symbol is her hair- a motif for Janie's power and strength. With Jody, she was forced to hide her hair beneath a rag, representing her oppressed power under Jody's. After his passing, she lets down her hair, which represents her regaining her strength. "The weight, the length, the glory was there" (Hurston 87) describes not only Janie's hair but her newfound authority. However, after her period of reflection, she puts her hair back up and puts on a face of mourning for the townspeople; unlike Jody, she shows restraint with her power and is not careless. Inside, though, Janie feels free and liberated. The passage describes Janie and her recognition of self after she is liberated. The author conveys the message that Janie is truly free now, and that the following chapters will be through Janie's own voice- it is no longer subdued by Jody's. The passage itself is written in a reflective and thoughtful tone which is significant because Janie's voice doing the reflecting and thinking, because the focus is on her. After Jody's death comes a new beginning- a recurring idea and a pathway into Janie's next stage in life.