Janie's grandmother had lived in the time of slavery, raising her under strict customs, in which men and women were not equal. Under her grandmother's guidance, Janie was required to marry solely based on a custom that is dependent on a man to provide for the woman. At this time, Janie did not intend to marry, but her grandmother wanted to insure Janie's safety and told her, " Tain't Logan Killicks Ah wants you to have, baby, it's protection" (Hurston 15). Janie's grandmother would at least pass on, knowing her granddaughter is with a man who could provide for her. Janie's grandmother implicitly says, "Neither can you stand alone by yo'self... Ah got tuh try and do for you befo' mah head is cold"(15), showing an effort to make Janie dependent on a man .

Janie struggles to find some sign of love from her new husband Logan, but does not find love where love should be; all she finds is coldness and a husband who wants submission from his wife. It was Logan's intention to mold his new wife and told Janie, "Thought Ah'd take and make somethin' outa yuh" (30), confirming an attempt to make her submissive and by letting her know how he feels about her role in the marriage when he says, "You ain't got no particular place. It's wherever Ah need yuh"(31). All Logan expects from Janie is obedience. Logan expects her to stop what she is doing to help him, regardless if Janie believes if it is her place or not. Experience in a one sided marriage, persuades Janie to explore a different route in her freedom.

After several years of suppression by her grandmother and two husbands, Janie was on the verge of depression, but Janie was able to begin a new life with "Tea Cake." He brought the best out of Janie by letting her be free. Even after "Tea Cake" died, he was not dead to Janie. "Of course he was wasn't dead. He could never be dead until she herself had finished feeling and thinking"(193). It was "Tea Cake" who broke open her cocoon to let her fly free.

Although Joe gave her material comforts, Janie never felt free to do things she enjoyed explaining, "...but Jody wouldn't 'low me tuh. When Ah wasn't in de store he wanted me tuh jes sit wid folded hands and sit dere"(112). Janie was locked away in Joe's world and he kept the key. Joe provided a comfort of living for Janie, but she sought a co

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Approximate Word count = 1063
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)