Their Eyes Were Watching God (Ch 8-10): A Man's Power

In chapter 8, Hurston reveals that as a result of Joe's illness, Janie gains authority and more of a voice than ever before. After disallowing Janie from visiting him, Janie finally insists on talking to Joe and enters his room although she has not been invited. The conversation between Janie and Joe exemplifies the theme of male dominance that Hurston has discussed throughout the novel so far. Although Janie is now given the opportunity to speak over Joe, she uses the opportunity to make Joe know that after twenty years he "dont half know [her] at all." Janie declares that she "ain't goin' outa here" and she "ain't gointuh hush" (Hurston 87). Sadly, after many years in marriage, Janie finally tells Joe that she disagrees with the way he has treated her; however, in the midst of her confession, Joe dies and Janie is never granted the ability to completely confess. One questions whether Hurston has Joe's death occur at this moment to disallow Janie from ever feeling that she has overcome Joe's control. If this were the case, Hurston would be further enforcing the male-dominant society that she has been depicting throughout the novel so far. After Joe passes away, Hurston remarks, "Janie knew the futile fight was not with her" (Hurston 87). Hurston describes the fight as "futile" because even if Janie disproved of all of Joe's controlling actions, their marriage was basically over already. One questions how this scene foreshadows later events in the book. Will women ever gain a more dominant position in Hurston's novel? Or will there be numerous incidents where women almost gain power but are prevented?