The Unimportance of Riches in a Relationship, Portrayed in...

Leo Rosten once said, Money cant buy happiness. Janie from Zora Neale Hurstons, Their Eyes Were Watching God, would agree with this famous quote. Janies first husband is financially stable and her second husband is powerful; but it is with her third marriage where she finally experiences happiness and receives respect. Through the first two marriages, we see how worldly desires and pride can ruin a relationship. Ultimately, Hurston portrays that equality in a relationship truly nourishes a bond far more valuable that materialistic possessions or reputations. Janie in her first marriage is her far from mesmerized with her husbands 60 acre land. The incompatibility between her and Logan ultimately cause the marriage to fail. Logan†¦show more content†¦This makes Janie feel like he does not care about her and that she is wasting her time with him. His lack of communication with Janie symbolizes the despair and emptiness she feels in their marriage. He does not open up to her an d so of course the marriage will not work out. Hurston ultimately portrays how unhappy Janie is when she leaves Logan so easily the day after she brought up the topic of her leaving: Janie hurried out of the gate and turned south (Hurston 32). Janies attraction to Joe Starks charisma quickly diminishes when his overdose of ambition and controlling personality get the best of him. Although he is a big voice in the town, Janie only sees him as a big voice. All his money and power have no effect on her when all he does is ridicule and control her. He makes it clear where Janie belongs: Ah never married her for nothin lak dat. Shes uh woman and her place is in de home (Hurston 43). This is ironic because when she is with Logan, she wants to be in the house doing her own thing, but Joe is making it sound like confinement. Its as if she has no choice in the matter and Joe intends to make his power over her known. People have different desires and sometimes when we get caught up in our su ccess, we can end up hurting others. Joes reply to Janie is a great example of the insensitivity that can form from the pride we can possibly inherit when we achieve success: Ah told you in de first beginnin dat Ah aimed tuh be uh big voice.