Journal #3

5 Literay Terms in Chapter 4 of Their Eyes Were Watching God:

1. Simile: "Logan held his wad of tobacco real still in his jaw like a thermometer of his feelings while he studied Janie's face and waited for her to say something."
This simile shows how Logan is waiting for Janie's response, and the way she reacts will determine what he says next. The tobacco is like a thermometer because he keeps it very still to wait for its reading, which in this situation is Janie's answer. His feelings will vary with Janie's response, just like the degrees in a thermometer varies with a person's temperature.

2. Imagery: "The noon sun filtered through the leaves of the fine oak tree where she sat and made lacy patterns on the ground."
The imagery appeals to one's sight and touch, because it sounds intricate and warm. The imagery is important because trees and gardens are becoming a symbol in this story, of growth, maturity and spring awakening. The narrator shows how these small details of the tree is important to Janie.

3. Characterization: "His coat was over his arm, but he didn't need it to represent his clothes. The shirt wth the silk sleeveholders was dazzling enough for the world. He whistled, mopped his face and walked like he knew where he was going."
Characterization is always important! This man is described like he is going to be an important character later in the book. This is Janie's first impression of this character, and it reveals that she thinks he is dignified and with plenty of money. Her first impression may affect her actions later, so if the narrator just said he was a black man with a nice shirt, one may not understand how Janie will react.

4. Metaphor: "The sun from ambush was threatening the world with red daggers, but the shadows were gray and solid-looking around the barn."
Janie does not seem to like the daytime. An ambush is something sudden and unwelcome, and daggers do not sound welcoming at all, so Janie dreads the sun coming out. She does not like answering to her husband and listening to his insults and degradations. Sleep is quiet and peaceful, and Janie seems to want to keep it that way.

5. Simile: "Logan with his shovel looked like a black bear doing some clumsy dance on his hind legs."
This simile reveals Logan's familiarity with a shovel, as well as Janie's attitude toward her husband in general. A bear on its hind legs does not sound particularly graceful, so Logan either is not strong enough to shovel manure or he has not shoveled stuff much. But if he chops wood for his wife, then he seems like he should be able to shovel manure. But Janie does not love her husband, so she will not compare him to something aesthetically pleasing.