Journal #8

 Journal #8: Find quotations for three different stylistic attributes of Hurston's writing. Explain the context of the passage (where does it occur in the book, what is happening, who is involved). Identify and describe the literary technique used in the the passage, and explain how you think it affects the text and how you read it

"So he didn't come that night and she laid in bed and pretended to think scornfully of him.  'Bet he's hangin' round some jook or 'nother.  Glad Ah treated him cold.  Whut do Ah want wid some trashy nigger out de streets?  Bet he's livin' wid some woman or 'nother and takin' me for uh fool.  Glad Ah caught myself in time.'  She tried to console herself that way." (106) In this passage Janie is already in the midst of some sort of relationship with Tea Cake. She begins to develop feelings for Tea Cake but she first experiences the "fiend from hell" (108) known as Doubt. The passage takes place at night while Janie talks to herself; she tries to convince herself that Tea Cake isn't as worth it as he seems. This literary technique, known as apostrophe, provides insight into Janie's thoughts and feelings through dialogue involving only herself. This technique is more effective than normal narration because the reader feels more connected to Janie because they learn her inner-thoughts.

"It was so crazy digging worms by lamp light and setting out for Lake Sabelia after midnight that she felt like a child breaking rules. That's what made Janie like it. They caught two or three and got home just before day. Then she had to smuggle Tea Cake out by the back gate and that made it seem like some great secret she was keeping from the town" (102). In this passage Tea Cake convinces Janie that the moon (nature) is so nice that they should spend the night enjoying it. Tea Cake and Janie go out to catch fish and return by day break. The literary technique that Hurston uses in this passage is the motif of gates. The motif is very effective at this part of the book because Janie had never let anyone past the gate before. She kissed Johnny Taylor over her gate and prevented Logan and Jody from even getting past the symbolic gate. The fact that she allowed Tea Cake into the gate shows the reader that Janie is opening up to Tea Cake and that he is different from the other males in her life.

"Tea Cake and Janie gone hunting. Tea Cake and Janie gone fishing. Tea Cake and Janie gone to Orlando to the movies. Tea Cake and Janie gone to a dance. Tea Cake making flower beds in Janie's yard and seeding the garden for her. Chopping down that tree she never did like by the dining room window. All those signs of possession" (110). This passage is neat for a couple of reasons. The passage is written at the beginning of chapter 12 and is told by a narrator. However, Hurston uses a couple of literary techniques here. She uses ambiguity as well as simple sentences. The ambiguity takes effect because the reader doesn't know who is voicing their opinions. From context it seems like the community is criticizing Janie but Janie is the person narrating the story which makes it odd. This is important because Hurston also does not clarify who possesses who. Hurston's ambiguity leaves the reader wanting more and it also invokes questions from the reader. As for the simple sentences, Hurston uses mainly simple sentences in the passage in order to clearly and effectively communicate her ideas. I think she uses simple sentences in order to emphasize the importance of what she is saying.

Death and simple sentences.