Symbolism

Janie’s hair- Janie’s hair symbolizes her freedom when it is worn down or in a thick braid. However, when it is up in the head rag she is controlled and unable to be free.

Overalls- the overalls symbolize a working class and farming. Janie is looked at as sloppy and a worker instead of a lady when she walks into the town by the townspeople.

Pear Tree- the pear tree symbolizes the cycles of life, and how there is a beginning, growth, mature time, and then death, and how Janie was then at the point between growth and maturity in her life.

Gate- the gate is metaphorically what is holding Janie back from what she wants. It is also physically at times holding her back from what she wants.

Horizon- the horizon is where all of her dreams are. However, she will never be able to fully reach the horizon. It will always be just out of reach.

Head Rag- the head rag is symbolic because of Janie’s lack of freedom because Joe has held her as his little doll that follows all his commands because that is was has to be done.

High Chair- the high chair is what Janie sits on as the mayor’s wife. Joe wants her as the belle to show off to everyone instead of enjoying being around friends and having fun.

Tobacco Spittoon- shows how rich Joe Starks makes his life, like spitting into a golden spittoon that others would gladly use as an ornament for their tables.

Lamp Lighting Up the Town- the lamp symbolizes all the good it brings like lighting up a dark place (aka the building of the small town by Joe Starks and the people), but it can also be a nusance.

Joe Stark’s House-Joe Stark’s house was very big and had two stories. The house was white, which was symbolic, since that was what most of the white plantation owners’ houses were colored.