Journal-ch 11 & 12 (2/11/09)

Journal:
What motivates Janie is partially herself and partially Tea Cake. Mostly Tea Cake motivates her because he pushes her to think for herself by telling her, "Have de nerve tuh say whut you mean" (Hurston 109). He teaches her new things about the world, and herself and what she can do such as play checkers, which is something she was never asked or expected to do before. Tea Cake has faith in her, which makes her have faith in herself. Also now that Joe isn't around anymore to bring her down her self-confidence is rising because she feels free and no longer doing things on anyone else's terms, but hers.

Janie transformation into her true self is very evident throughout both chapter 11 and 12. She went through her 6 months of mourning for Joe where she wore all black and then the real Janie started to come out. She began to wear colors, she spoke her mind more often, and overall she completely changed. Everyone could feel it. Especially the townspeople for example, who saw her playing checkers and, "they liked it" (Hurston 101). It was obvious that Janie had become a more outspoken, active and confident woman.