Annie Tyler's Allegory

Annie Tyler represents what happens to many Black females who are taken advantage of because they have not claimed themselves as independent free people. Like Janie, Annie was wealthier than most Black women and that could have given her instant autonomy. However, Annie became wrapped up in her economic warfare and foolishly dabbled in multiple love affairs “with boys in their late teens or early twenties for all of whom she spent her money on” (118).

The greed of money and prosperity was ultimately the cause of Annie’s ruin. This is an example of the economic strain in the United States, particularly the strains it put on the Black community.