Journal #7

“He kin take most any lil thing and make summertime out of it when times is dull. Then we lives offa dat happiness he made till some mo’ happiness comes along” (Hurston, 141) This technique of metaphor was used to show the power Joe had on Janie to make her happy. It relates back to the beginning when Janie is sitting under the trees, feeling the wonders of marriage through nature. Now Joe can make any day into summertime.

“Ah wuz fumblin’ round and God opened de door” (Hurston, 158) The allusion to religion sets the characters and what their society was like. From this sentence the reader can tell God is an important figure in their lives when things go wrong or go really well, he is called upon. It also shows the power they give God to give them new opportunities in life.

“It woke up old Okechobee and the monster began to roll in his bed. Began to roll and complain like a peevish world on a grumble. […] Chink up your cracks, shiver in your wet beds and wait on the mercy of the Lord. The bossman might have the thing stopped before morning anyway. It is so easy to be hopeful in the day time when you can see the things you wish on. But it was night, it stayed night. Night was striding across nothingness with the whole round world in his hands” (158) The use of personification of nature demonstrates the power over everything else it has. Okechobee is a real lake. And is referred to as a monster, who is usually asleep. It brings a strong common feeling of fear to the reader of being chased down by something fast and dangerous.