Gwinnelly Bota
December 1, 2014
English III – Honors
Their Eyes were watching God Test Essay In today’s world, hair is one of the most important things in society. We as a society identify with hair just to bring ourselves up to the trends. Some of the most common interests in hair are focused on hair growth, hair types, hair textures, and just all around hair care. The truth is that hair is one of the most vital sources of energy and confidence for humans. As exhibited in the book, Janie’s hair is one of the most important symbols shown. Janie’s hair is a major symbols because it represents power and possession, her strength and individuality, and it gives insight to the other characters in the story. Janie’s hair represents power and possession. When she marries Joe Starks, he later exhibits traits of a very jealous and possessive husband. Because people were admiring it, more specifically men, he makes Janie cover up her hair with old rags. In the story it is said that, “This business of head-rags irked her endlessly. But Jody was set on it. Her hair was not going to show in the store. It didn’t seem sensible at all. That was because Joe never told Janie how jealous he was. He never told her how often he had seen other men figuratively wallowing in it as she went about the things in the store. And one night he had caught Walter standing behind and brushing the back of his hand back and forth across the loose end of her braid ever a lightly so as to enjoy the feel of it without Janie knowing what he was doing. Joe was at the back of the store and Walter didn’t see him. He felt like rushing forth with the meat knife and chopping off the offending hand. That night he ordered Janie to tie up her hair around the store. That was all. She was there in the store for him to look at.” (Hurston 55) At this point Joe has an understanding of the power that Janie