Their Eyes Were Watching God Lesson Plan

How does Jody's desire to marry Janie relate to his desire to have a big voice in Eatonville, as he mentioned when he first met Janie?

Jody's reasons for marrying Janie aren't explicit, but through the character development a reader can make some assumptions about Jody. With his jealousy, he could have wanted Janie to have something to control—even if he hadn't gained power in town, he still would have been known for touting around a beautiful, young woman. Joe Starks takes his masculinity seriously, and having Janie also makes him look more manly and more threatening to other men. In a story about Janie's self-discovery, this section seems to be the one most marked by...