Their Eyes Were Watching God Ch 14-17

Questions and Answers

Why do Janie and Tea Cake go down to the Everglades?

for 'the muck,' i.e. bean farming on the rich, swamp soil

What does Tea Cake teach Janie how to do in their free time?

to shoot (hunt); she becomes a better shot than he is

What kind of people attend 'the muck'?

poor migrant farm workers

Why does Janie go to work beside Tea Cake?

because Tea Cake is lonely out on the fields during the day and wants to be near her Signup and view all the answers

What are Ed Dockery, Bootyny, and Sop-de-Bottom doing at the end of chapter 14?

playing a card game Signup and view all the answers

Why does Janie become jealous?

A girl (Nunkie) keeps flirting with Tea Cake, and Janie doesn't think he's deflecting her advances as much as he should be Signup and view all the answers

Why does Janie go running into the cane field?

because Tea Cake is missing and his friend says he went into the field Signup and view all the answers

Who does she find in the cane field, and what are they doing?

Nunkie and Tea Cake, wrestling on the ground Signup and view all the answers

What was Nunkie after?

Tea Cake's working tickets Signup and view all the answers

How does the fight between Janie and Tea Cake end?

They make up Signup and view all the answers

What do Janie and Mrs. Turner have in common?

They are of mixed heritage, black and white Signup and view all the answers

What is Mrs. Turner's opinion of black people?

She thinks they are below her (even though she is part black) and that they are dirty and worthless Signup and view all the answers

How does Mrs. Turner feel about Booker T. Washington?

that he is an enemy to the blacks; he was just a puppet, or 'monkey' performing for the white folks Signup and view all the answers

Why does Mrs. Turner bring up her brother?

because she thinks Janie should be with her brother instead of Tea Cake, who is too dark in her opinion Signup and view all the answers

Who is the 'god' to which Mrs. Turner prays?

white people and white skin Signup and view all the answers

Why does Tea Cake say he beat Janie?

in a reaction to Mrs. Turner bringing her brother around Janie, to show the Turners 'who's boss' and that he's in control Signup and view all the answers

What does Sop-de-Bottom think about the beating?

He thinks Tea Cake is lucky because Janie doesn't cry out or fight back when beaten, and he wishes his wife were like that Signup and view all the answers

What do Coodemay and Sterrett do when they find out Mrs. Turner's restaurant is full?

They asked to be served standing up Signup and view all the answers

What injuries does Mrs. Turner sustain from the fight?

a bleeding hand Signup and view all the answers

What does her husband do when she calls him in to stop the fight?

Sits in the corner and does nothing Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Everglades and Farming

Janie and Tea Cake go to the Everglades to engage in bean farming on rich swamp soil, referred to as "the muck."
The region is populated by poor migrant farm workers.

Tea Cake's Influence on Janie

Tea Cake teaches Janie how to shoot, enhancing her skills and making her a better shot than him.
Janie chooses to work alongside Tea Cake to alleviate his loneliness in the fields.

Relationships and Conflict

The end of Chapter 14 features Ed Dockery, Bootyny, and Sop-de-Bottom engaging in a card game.
Janie experiences jealousy due to Nunkie's flirtation with Tea Cake, feeling he isn't adequately deflecting her advances.
In search of Tea Cake, Janie runs into the cane field, prompted by a friend's information about his whereabouts.
Janie discovers Tea Cake wrestling with Nunkie in the cane field, reinforcing her feelings of betrayal.

Complications with Mrs. Turner

Nunkie is after Tea Cake's working tickets, demonstrating her interest in him.
The fight between Janie and Tea Cake concludes with reconciliation and understanding.
Janie and Mrs. Turner are alike in that they both possess mixed heritage of black and white ancestry.
Mrs. Turner holds a disparaging opinion of black people, viewing them as inferior despite her own mixed race.
She criticizes Booker T. Washington, seeing him as an enemy to blacks and dismissively regards him as a performer for white society.

Mrs. Turner's Views and Manipulations

Mrs. Turner believes Janie should be with her brother rather than Tea Cake, whom she deems too dark.
She reveres white people and white skin as ideal, effectively treating them as her "god."
Tea Cake preempts Mrs. Turner’s influence by asserting control over Janie, reacting to her suggestion with a show of dominance.

Perspectives on Domestic Dynamics

Sop-de-Bottom views the beating in a twisted manner, considering Tea Cake fortunate since Janie does not resist or cry out, wishing for the same submissiveness from his own wife.
Upon finding Mrs. Turner's restaurant overcrowded, Coodemay and Sterrett request to be served while standing.
Mrs. Turner sustains a bleeding hand during the fight, illustrating the physical consequences of escalating tensions.
When summoned to intervene, Mrs. Turner's husband passively sits in the corner, demonstrating a lack of support or action.

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Test your knowledge with flashcards covering chapters 14 to 17 of 'Their Eyes Were Watching God'. This quiz focuses on key events, characters, and themes as Janie and Tea Cake navigate life in the Everglades. Perfect for revision or deepening your understanding of the text.