Instead of printing out a list of questions for you, I have posted them here. You do not need to copy them down, but number them and answer in complete sentences.
Ch. 5:
- What does Joe Starks do that surprises the townspeople? How do the men react to Janie?
- How does Janie feel about being the mayor's wife?
- Support the following statement: "But any man who walks in the way of power and property is bound to meet hate."
- Explain: "Ah often wonder how dat lit wife uh hisn makes out wid him, 'cause he's uh man dat changes everything, but nothin' don't change him." What does the following quotation suggest is wrong with Janie's and Joe's relationship?
Ch 6:
- Why is the mule talk in front of the store frustrating and entertaining for Janie?
- What prompts Joe to insist that Janie wear a rag over her hair?
- How does Joe explain the odd spectacle of the dead mule on his back with his feet sticking up in the air?
- Why is Janie excluded from the Mule's funeral?
- Local color is defined as details and descriptions common to a certain place. Some critics point out Hurston presents the local color of the black community through the stories told on the front porch of the store. Find and example of local color in this chapter and include the page number, and explain what is learned about the community from the stories.
- What event in Janie's marriage convinces her that Joe isn't the wonderful man she thought she was marrying? How does she survive in the marriage without losing her identity?
- At the end of the chapter, Janie finally speaks her mind. According to Janie, what is God's opinion of women? How does she think he will judge men's behavior toward women?
Ch 7 and 8:
- Why does Joe start hassling Janie about her age?
- What does Janie say to Joe in front of his friends that humiliates him? What does he do to retaliate?
- In chapter 8, cite a quotation illustrating how HUrston uses personification to describe death.
- What does Janie tell her husband just before he dies?
- How does Janie symbolically express her freedom from Joe after his death?
- Support or refute the following: Joe Starks is a static character. Use evidence from the text to support your opinion.
