Janie and Tea Cake’s wedding is one of the most memorable and celebrated moments in Zora Neale Hurston’s novel, “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” It is a beautiful and touching ceremony that marks the beginning of a new chapter in Janie’s life. In this blog post, we will discuss the details of Janie and Tea Cake’s wedding and what it represents for Janie.
The Journey to the Wedding
Janie’s journey to her wedding with Tea Cake was not an easy one. After leaving Logan and being with Joe, Janie felt stifled and unfulfilled. With Tea Cake, she found a partner who allowed her to be her authentic self. However, their journey was not without obstacles. They had to leave their home in the Everglades because of a hurricane that devastated the area. They also had to deal with the disapproval of some members of the community, who did not believe that Janie and Tea Cake should be together.
Despite these challenges, Janie and Tea Cake remained committed to each other and their love. The journey to their wedding was symbolic of their determination to overcome any obstacle that came their way.
The Wedding Preparations
Janie and Tea Cake’s wedding was held at the home of a preacher in Jacksonville. But before they could get to the ceremony, there was a lot of preparation to be done. Janie purchased a new blue satin dress for the occasion, which she wore with a white veil and orange blossoms in her hair. Tea Cake, on the other hand, wore a clean white shirt and pants, with a matching tie and jacket.
Janie and Tea Cake’s friends and family helped with the preparations for the wedding. The ladies cooked food for the reception, while the men set up chairs and tables in the yard.
The Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony was a beautiful and simple affair. Janie and Tea Cake stood in front of the preacher, holding hands. The preacher began with a prayer, asking for God’s blessings on their union. Then, he asked Janie and Tea Cake to declare their love and commitment to each other.
Janie and Tea Cake exchanged vows, with Janie promising to love and cherish Tea Cake as long as she lived, and Tea Cake promising to protect and provide for Janie for the rest of his life.
After the vows, the preacher pronounced them husband and wife, and Tea Cake kissed his bride. The guests cheered and clapped, and Janie and Tea Cake walked down the aisle, arm in arm.
The Reception
The reception was a lively and joyous affair. The ladies served food and drink, and the men danced and sang in celebration. Janie and Tea Cake were the center of attention, with everyone congratulating them and wishing them well.
Janie and Tea Cake’s wedding reception was not just a celebration of their union, but also a celebration of their love. Their friends and family acknowledged that their love was real and genuine, and that it transcended any societal expectations or norms.
The Meaning of Janie and Tea Cake’s Wedding
Janie and Tea Cake’s wedding represents a significant milestone in Janie’s journey towards self-discovery. With Tea Cake, Janie found a partner who allowed her to be her authentic self, and who loved and respected her for who she was.
Their wedding also symbolizes the triumph of love over societal expectations and norms. Janie and Tea Cake’s union was not sanctioned by the community, and they faced opposition and disapproval from some members of society. However, their love was stronger than any obstacle or challenge that came their way, and they were able to overcome these barriers and unite in marriage.
Conclusion
The wedding of Janie and Tea Cake is a beautiful and touching moment in Zora Neale Hurston’s novel, “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” It is a celebration of love, commitment, and the triumph of the human spirit over societal expectations and norms. Janie and Tea Cake’s journey to their wedding was not an easy one, but their love and determination carried them through. Their union represents a turning point in Janie’s journey towards self-discovery, and the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
FAQ
How was Tea Cake and Janie’s marriage?
Tea Cake and Janie’s marriage was one that brought happiness and fulfillment to Janie’s life in “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston. After two disappointing marriages, Janie feels like she has been given a second chance in life to live her youth when she meets Tea Cake. Janie has learned through her previous experiences that love should be mutual respect and admiration, and those were the foundation of her relationship with Tea Cake.
In their marriage, Janie feels free and liberated to express herself, which she has never done before. Tea Cake made her feel alive and fills her life with fun and happiness. Janie’s marriage to Tea Cake brought a new sense of self-awareness that Janie had never experienced before.
Throughout their marriage, Tea Cake helped Janie to discover her true nature, and they supported each other through everything—good times, bad times, and even unexplainable things such as the hurricane. Together they experienced true love, mutual respect, and growth. They were a perfect match for each other since they had a deep understanding of one another and always tried to make each other better.
Tea Cake fully supported Janie’s independence and self-sufficiency, which was a vital aspect of their marriage. He never tried to stifle her individuality, and he acknowledged that they were two independent beings that complemented each other. Together they were able to create a peaceful and harmonious home, where they could be themselves without any judgment.
Tea Cake and Janie’s marriage was based on mutual love and respect, which allowed them to grow together and find happiness, something that Janie had been searching for her entire life. The novel emphasizes the idea that love is worth searching for, and when it’s found, it brings happiness and satisfaction in life. Their love was an inspiration for anyone who desires to be in an authentic and supportive relationship that is based on mutual respect and admiration.
Where did Janie and Tea Cake go after they got married?
After Janie and Tea Cake got married, they decided to leave Eatonville, the small Florida town in which they had met and lived for some time. They headed south, towards the Everglades in search of work and a new home. Although the journey was not without its challenges, they eventually arrived in the Everglades and settled in a small community made up of workers and their families.
Life in the Everglades was very different from life in Eatonville. The community was made up of a diverse group of people, many of whom were from the Caribbean and other parts of the world. Tea Cake found work as a muck farmer, and Janie helped him with the work. Despite the hard work, Janie was happy. She loved being with Tea Cake and felt like she was finally living the life she had always dreamed of.
However, their happiness was short-lived. A hurricane swept through the area, causing widespread damage and flooding. Janie and Tea Cake were forced to flee their home and head north, towards Palm Beach. Along the way, they faced many challenges, including hunger, fatigue, and the threat of violence from other travelers.
When they finally arrived in Palm Beach, they found work picking beans on a farm. Janie quickly learned the trade, and she and Tea Cake were able to make a modest living. However, their happiness was once again threatened when Tea Cake was bitten by a rabid dog. Despite Janie’s efforts to save him, he eventually died from the disease.
Janie was devastated by Tea Cake’s death, but she was also grateful for the time they had spent together. She decided to return to Eatonville, where she became something of a legend in the community. Her story, as it was told and retold over the years, became a symbol of hope and resilience for generations to come.
Is Janie certain that Tea Cake will be right for her after they get married?
In Zora Neale Hurston’s novel, “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” Janie goes through several ups and downs in her search for an ideal partner. Janie had already been through two marriages, which were not particularly fulfilling for her. She had originally married Logan Killicks, a wealthy farmer, for security. Subsequently, she had married Jody Starks, a well-to-do businessman, after he had promised her love and affection. However, both these marriages had failed, and Janie had been left feeling empty and unfulfilled with her life.
When Janie meets Tea Cake, she is initially hesitant to get involved. However, after spending some time together, Janie realizes that Tea Cake is different from her previous husbands. Janie appreciates Tea Cake’s intelligence and humor, and the couple quickly falls in love. Despite their differing ages, Janie and Tea Cake form an effortless and comfortable relationship. They are able to communicate freely, and Janie feels a sense of companionship and support that she had never experienced before.
However, despite her happiness with Tea Cake, Janie is not convinced that he is the perfect partner for her. Hurston does not glorify Janie and Tea Cake’s relationship, but rather portrays it in a realistic light. Janie recognizes that Tea Cake is not perfect, and that he has faults and weaknesses just like anyone else. However, she accepts him for who he is, and is willing to work through any problems they may encounter once they are married.
Janie realizes that it is impossible to predict what the future holds, and that she cannot be certain that Tea Cake will be right for her after they get married. However, Hurston makes it clear that Janie has not found an ideal man. Rather, she has found a partner who loves and appreciates her, faults and all. Janie is at peace with her decision, and believes that her relationship with Tea Cake is worth fighting for.
Janie’S experiences with her two previous marriages had left her feeling disillusioned and skeptical about relationships. However, her love for Tea Cake and the companionship they share convince her to give marriage another chance. Although she is not certain about the future, Janie is willing to take a chance on Tea Cake, and is hopeful that their relationship will last.