Evidence: pg. 131 "Pianos living three lifetimes in one."
Why: Hurston choses to use this passage of personification to connect the intensity of the fun that Janie and Tea Cake were having to Janie's life. A piano is an instrument that can change the mood of an entire setting through the music. "Living three lifetimes in one" is a metaphor to Janie's different experiences with men. Her first husband, Logan, was dull and lacked the passion that Janie yearned for. Her life with him was a life full of nothingness. The piano played the tune of a dull and dreary melody. Janie left Logan for Joe who at first swept her off her feet, but instead placed her in a fancy white house and molded her into the position of a stuck-up mayor's wife. She submissively lived her life for him changing the "piano mood" to loneliness. Then when Tea Cake sauntered into her life, she realized that she could live life the way she wanted to and the piano played all three tunes into one adventurous, joyful tune.
Literary Technique 2: Symbol
Evidence: pg. 134 "The men held big arguments here like they used to on the store porch."
Why: This reference to the porch symbolizes the similarities to Janie's old home and her new one. Hurston makes it very clear to the reader that the porch symbolizes home and the only consistent thing in Janie's life. Every since she was a small girl, the porch has been a place of comfort and rest. Hurston again mentions the porch as Janie is getting settled into her new way of life. The comfort and rest is coming back to Janie.
Literary Technique 3: Characterization
Evidence: 136 "Janie learned what it felt like to be jealous."
Why: Janie is characterized as a strong, peaceful, determined woman but this new description, jealous, is used to describe the change and newness in her. Hurston reveals through this passage the change in Janie. Janie knows what it feels to really care for someone (Tea Cake) and this love brings about her jealousy. Because of her newly found confidence she discovers jealousy which shows her change as a character.
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