Janie Post-Mayor Starks

After the death of Joe Sparks, Janie assumes control of all his possessions and acquires a large fortune; adding that dollar value to her already attractive and desired looks, she becomes a target for many men. Janie “sent her face to Joe’s funeral, and herself went rollicking with the springtime across the world” (88). She burned her head rags, and braided her hair the next morning allowing it to fall naturally below her waist, “she would have the rest of her life to do as she pleased” (89). Soon, she found out that “her widowhood and property was a great challenge in South Florida” (90). The idea of a woman living on her own, especially with such a large fortune was unheard of, and “pitied”. Janie’s thoughts about her wooers fell short, the “men didn’t represent a thing she wanted to know about” because she had already experienced their variations through Logan and Killicks. Her status is regarded as a “condition” which denotes disorder, or a state of repair.