Teacake the Great
Vergible Woods, also known as "Teacake" in Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God, represents the best in human spirit. Teacake showed courage and bravery in the face of death while saving his beloved Janie. Teacake's genuine sensitivity to others around him affected the other characters in the novel, especially Janie, who finally learned to give and receive love. Hurston's novel deeply moves the reader by allowing the reader to see the world through Teacake's noble eyes. When Teacake was introduced into Janie's life, Janie was already widowed. Because Janie inherited money and position from her deceased husband, Joe, many suitors came to court her. And despite the "temptations", Janie did not succumb to any of them. However, when Teacake arrived on the scene, he was different from all of them. It was apparent that Teacake loved Janie's person and not the possessions that surrounded her. Although he acknowledged the fact that Janie possessed great wealth, he did not try to manipulate her in any way even after they married. Janie admitted one day that it "seemed as if she had
Teacake showed loyalty to those around him even under adverse situations. As soon as Janie and Teacake wed, a chunky girl named Nunkie flirted with Teacake. She would "hit him or shove him and run away to make him chase her... Janie knew what she was up to... Teacake didn't seem to be able to fend her off as promptly as Janie thought he ought to." (130). Teacake did not return any of the feelings that Nunkie had for him. Although these episodes made Janie jealous and angry, Teacake reassured her, "...You'se something tuh make uh man forgit tuh git old and forgit tuh die."(132). Teacake Woods affected Janie in such a way that she finally learned to love. He taught her love by proving his devotion to her and valiantly diving into the water to save her. Teacake also illustrated his consideration for others, including the loathed Mrs. Turner. Teacake was truly an admirable character, who symbolized Janie's love and passion. Another demonstration of the nobility of the Teacake character is seen through his relationship with Mrs. Turner. Teacake became suspicious of Mrs. Turner, the landowner's w
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Approximate Word count = 742
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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