Welcome and Eyes Journal 1

Welcome to IB Junior English Fall 2013

The blog is a place for you to review the nightly reading and journals entries.  You might also find hints and be asked to respond directly to a journal.

We'll officially start the reading on Friday, but if you would like to get a head start, here you go.

Due Monday 9/9:
Reading: Eyes Chapters 1-4

Journal 1

As you read, you will look for lines or phrases that develop the minor characters and lines or phrases that describe Janie's relationship with power (think, people, situations, things, ideas etc).  From your interesting lines, try to find language or patterns that you didn't notice the first time you read.

Discuss one minor character and two of Janie's relationships with power, supporting your ideas with quotations and analysis.  After writing your three points of discussion, offer a couple of questions that develop from your reading and/or writing.

Minor character example:

Hurston describes the porch sitters as insolent when Pearl Stone "opened her mouth and laughed real hard" and Mrs. Sumpkins "snorted violently" as Janie walks by (2-3).  These characters also appear uncouth as Pearl laughs because "she didn't know what else to do" and as Sumpkins "snorted" and "sucked her teeth"(2-3).  Through her depiction, Hurston implies that people who never move past their "porch" will remain ignorant and appear ridiculous, especially as they fall over each other without cause.  In contrast, Janie appears strong as her hair is a "great rope" suggesting flexibility and strength.  As the hair"unravels in the wind," Hurston compares it to a "a plume" (2).  Thus, the hair becomes a symbol for Janie's honor and respect.  Her return to Eatonville with her hair as the item of respect suggests that the events since her exodus created her self-acceptance.

The plume simile is interesting to me.  Usually the plume is associated with militaristic conquests -  I wonder if there are more words surrounding the military?  Also, what about the bodily noises?  Sucking teeth and snorting - rather grotesque.  Why does Hurston create the porch sitters as a foil to Janie as natural vs unnatural?  Does this connect to the stereotypes of the 1920's?  Did the white audience see black characters like Janie or the porch sitters regularly?  Did other black authors portray their characters like this?

Note:  Yours can appear more clearly organized than mine and a lot less like an essay.  Consider listing the quotations of interest, asking questions, and then analyzing the quotations.