Summary Of Joe Kanty's Spunk

1. This quote shows unusual behavior for the time period present. In the Victorian times, it was the man’s duty to take care of the wife and children, or in other words- to take charge of the family in general. It was a sign of strength for men. Since Mrs. Joe is the one taking care of the family, which was commonly the husband’s job in this era, Joe is considered a weakness to his society and to his wife. This is because he is not taking charge for his family. The determination and strength coming from Mrs. Joe was also not very common either for women of the time. (109 words)

When Joe “Jody” Starks appears out of nowhere, Janie feels like her dreams have finally come true. But after a while, the marriage turns out to be little more than the stint with Killicks. Starks, like Killicks, treats her as property and not as someone he actually loves. One example is how Jody makes Janie put her hair up in a wrap while working in the store, rather than leave it down. Another is when he publicly criticizes her appearance, saying she is starting to show her age, when he is clearly at least ten years older: “’ You ain’t no young courtin’ gal. You’se uh old woman, nearly fourty’” (Hurston 79). Joe feels the need to tear down Janie, in order to make himself feel more important, which was an important part of being a man during this time.

As the story progresses, the readers see a falling out of that marriage for obvious reasons.

However, Otis Slemmons comes to town and Joe becomes obsessed with Otis wealth. When Joe catch Missie May in bed with Otis Slemmons he showed forgiveness by channeling his anger and not get angry at his wife.

As the story goes on, the readers begin to see a love triangle forming. You realize that Marian has feelings for Shane on page 65 when Bob overhears her talking with Shane. Marian says, “Don’t go, Shane. Joe needs you. More than ever now…it’s only fair to say it. I need you too”. There are apparent feelings shown between Marian and Shane, but just the same Marian is still obviously in love with her husband Joe. You see that Marian loves and supports Shane in almost in the same way she cares for Joe. For a while, it almost seems that Marian has two husbands because the bond between her and both men is so strong. The strange thing however, is that Joe knows that Marian has feelings for Shane. And because Joe knows that she still loves him and does not have any desire to have a physical relationship with Shane, he is okay with it. You know that Joe knows that Marian has feelings for Shane is on page 80. Marian is taking care of Shane after the fight in the bar and is so proud of both Shane and Joe. Joe says to Marian when he is holding her, “ Do you think I don’t know Marian? Don’t fret yourself; I’m man enough to know a better when his trail meets mine. Whatever happens will be alright”. Even though Joe knows what is going on, his respect for Shane makes him okay with it.

Kind of portly like rich white folks.”(35) He became less like a Husband, and more like a respected authority. It was discovered that Joe’s intentions with Janie had been wrongly accused. He began to treat her more like an object rather than his loving wife as their marriage deteriorated. His priorities were clear and Janie was not one of them. Joe’s charming personality convinced Janie to conform outwardly, yet in the end she was left questioning inwardly once again.

In the first chapters I have learned that Joe was dishonest and through his action and choices and this tells me this character cannot be trusted. One reason why Joe is dishonest, is that Joe told Mrs. Robinson (Jackie’s wife) and other people that he wasn't a time traveler even thought Joe was. Another reason is that when Joe got back from the journey Joe didn't tell his teacher that he went back in time Joe said he found it from the baseball cards and lied when he should have been honest although he didn't want people to know. The last reason why Joe is dishonest, is when Joe came back from the first time that he didn't tell his mom that he got chased down from the cops.

For example, in Janie’s first marriage, she is hardly treated as a wife. After a brief phase of “foot-kissing”, or, being lenient and doing Janie’s chores for her, her husband, Logan Killicks, eventually begins to “treat her as just another person who works on his farm” (Cardona). When Logan tells Janie he plans to run two plows and is going to buy a mule that a woman can handle, she intentionally ignores his hint of putting her to work.

The suppression of Janie, both as a woman and a human, is Jody's most interesting facet. He sets a limit on her self- fulfillment, treating her more like an object than a woman. Of course, he lumps women in with mere things--"Somebody got to think for women and chilun and chickens and cows (67)." He's good to Janie, but he's good to his animals also. In fact, Joe's attitude towards Janie is echoed in his behavior towards the overworked mule he buys and sets free: he lets the mule loose to wander around town as evidence of his generosity and wealth.

Janie, the main character, marries three times throughout the novel. Her marriages do not contain unconditional love and because of this, do not last. Her first husband, Joe Starks, belittles Janie as a person including her intellect. "Somebody got to think for women and chillun and chickens and cows. I god, they sho don’t think none theirselves." (119). Joe shows his dominance over Janie by being the breadwinner in the relationship. Janie’s next marriage is with a man named Joe Starks. He tries to show his dominance over Janie by controlling her. “Janie! "Come help me move dis manure pile befo’ de sun gits hot. You don’t take a bit of interest in dis place. ‘Tain’t no use in foolin’ round in dat kitchen all day long…" (42). Joe belittles the

Janie’s three marriages were all different for the most part, though they each had their ups and downs. Her marriage with Logan Killicks was the worst of the three. The only upside to this marriage was that she did have the protection and security her grandmother wanted, but Logan was not willing to make compromises like, “And ‘tain’t nothing’ in de way of him washin’ his feet every evenin’ before he comes tuh bed. ‘Tain’t nothing’ tuh hinder him ‘cause Ah places de water for him.” (Hurston 24) which shows that he wasn’t even willing to wash his feet so Janie wouldn’t have to smell his feet. Logan also expected Janie to help him with everything he was supposed to do and still make dinner for him. Despite all that Janie still wanted to love him but she just couldn’t do it. Janie’s marriage to Joe was better than Logan’s but was still really bad. Joe provided Janie with anything and everything she needed, but not what she wanted. Their relationship was about Joe, and what Joe wanted. Joe also thought he was superior to Janie. “Ah knows uh few things, and womenfolks thinks sometimes too!” “Aw naw they don’t.

Nevertheless, Janie is not afraid to follow her instincts, even when this means leaving her first husband to marry her second - without a divorce. "Janie hurried out of the front gate and turned south. Even if Joe was not there waiting for her, the change was bound to do her good" (Their Eyes 31). The gossip that spreads throughout her small town when she leaves with a younger man - after the death of her second husband leaves her a widow - does not slow her down in the least.

';(pg. 40-41). Joe publicly humiliates Janie constantly saying she is as low as mules. Joe feels that his marriage is a part of his image, a part of his job. He does not marry her for love.

Joe Kanty is very loving and kind hearted to his wife, Lena, because he loves her. The following article, “Love and lust are among the most instinctive emotions experienced by human beings”, clearly states the type of bond that Joe has towards Lena which is a loving bond that some people will never possess (Kwon, Han 1). However, Lena is insanely in love with her mistress, Mr. Spunk, whom is capable of getting whatever he wants or wishes, because of the fear he places in others hearts. Love makes individuals react a certain way to situations which is why Joe decides to follow Mr. Spunk and Ms. Lena from the lounging general store to try and win his love back. With the help of narrators,

Joe is definitely not comfortable with his homosexuality. His marriage to Harper confirms his closeted-ness. In act two when Joe comes out to Harper, he flat out tells