mahjae05’s Blog

In both chapter 4 and 5, the chapter begins with how both of the men had stopped speaking in rhymes to Janie:

“Before the year was up, Janie noticed that her husband had stopped talking in rhymes to her.” pg 26                                                                                                                                         “On the train the next day, Joe didn’t make many speeches with rhymes to her…”                     pg 34

This process of “sweet talking” Janie shows very much about the American character.  Logan Killicks had been begging Nanny to marry Janie, but once he finally got the chance to, he realized that there wasn’t much else to do with her.  Joe Starks, on the other hand, quickly picked up Janie with his big ego and nice words and then quickly set her on his mantle as a prize for all to see.  The American character is constantly striving to gain power.  They set out goals, and when they achieve them, they move onto new goals.  In Logan’s case, once he obtained Janie, he had reached the highest spot he had ever expected.  With the prize in hand, Logan did not know what to do with his life and thus started to treat Janie as if she was nothing.  Starks, on the other hand, saw Jaine as just a minor goal along his way to all-powerful.  Starks’ ambition is similar to many people trying to live out the American Dream.  He feels like he can conquer anything, and will not let anything hinder his rise to the top.  In the end though, Starks became consumed with his power and his pursuit for the top was cut short just like many other American characters.