Janie Character Analysis

“The writers, I do believe, who get the best and most lasting response from readers are the writers who offer a happy ending through moral development. By a happy ending, I do not mean mere fortunate events: a marriage, or a last-minute rescue from death; but some kind of spiritual reassessment or moral reconciliation, even with the self, even at death.” – Fay Weldon

Imagine one Janie Crawford, back in Eatonville, once again under the watchful eye of the jealous townspeople, scrutinized and harshly judged. Janie has been in this situation before, a long time ago, but what is different this time? The difference, among many others, is that Janie has taken a look at her core values, her goals, and her aspirations, and changed her outlook on life. Janie had a spiritual reassessment, which caused her to realize that none but her has a choice in how she lives her life. Janie is, somewhat, putting the pieces of this philosophy together throughout her journey; but she does not have a full reawakening until the very end, after Tea Cake’s death. It is at this point that she realizes the full extent of her worth and right to free will.

As Janie’s guardian, Nanny more or less had full control over her, especially so, given the time period. Janie’s marriage to Logan was completely a product of Nanny’s insistence. Even in her marriage to Joe, a choice that Janie made herself, she had little to no control over own well-being, once they were married. These decisions and their consequences made up the first half of Janie’s life, which is bewildering, because none of them were actually her decisions. Janie’s reclamation of power over herself, in her relationship with Tea Cake, is only the beginning of her spiritual