Journal 6: 2/12/09

Literary Device 1: Page 120
Personification
"The thing made itself into pictures and hung around Janie's bedside all night long."
Explanation: This personification highlights the doubt Janie feels, upon thinking of Annie Tyler and her younger man, about whether Tea Cake is a faithful husband. Through the depiction of Janie's image of Annie Tyler's situation as pictures that hang themselves up in Janie's room, Hurston conveys that Janie has made a discovery that is not pleasant, but one that she cannot hide from: That Tea Cake may not be all that she thought.

Literary Device 2: Page 136
Metaphor
"A little seed of fear was growing into a tree."
Explanation: Janie's insecurity regarding Tea Cake is showcased here. The metaphor depicts how insecurity and fear quickly become jealousy through its comparison of increasing fear to a seedling growing into a tree.

Literary Device 3: Page 138
Motivation
"She wanted to hear his denial. She had to crow over the fallen Nunkie."
Explanation: Janie's motivation for clinging so tightly to Tea Cake is revealed. Although she loves him dearly, she is now becoming consumed by a fear that Tea Cake does not feel the same, and the need for reassurance that he does care for her as much as she for him. Everything she does is driven by the need to prove to herself that her fears are not true.