The God-Like Mayor Starks

• Hicks realizes that he is the average mortal (39)
• Something about him demanded obedience: "There was something about Joe Starks that cowed the town. It was not because of physical fear. He was no fist fighter. His bulk was not even imposing as men go. Neither was it because he was more literate than the rest. Something else made men give way before him. He had a bow-down command in his face, and every step he took made the thing more tangible" (47)
• The epithet "beloved" becomes commonly attached to his name so even though not everyone might believe it they say it anyway, "So when speakers stood up when the occassion demanded and said "Our beloved Mayor," it was one of those statements that everybody says but nobody actually believes like "God is everywhere" (48)
• People also attributed the Mayor with evil qualities: "Give de devil his due" (49)
• His manner towards Janie is ungodly (50)