Symbolism

10 Symbols

The Head Rag symbolizes Joe’s control over Janie. Just like the head rag holds Janie’s hair back, Joe is holding Janie back from what she wants. He does not want Janie to be desirable to any other of the men in town.

Pear tree symbolizes Janie becoming a woman. It shows her maturing and growing just like the tree does.

The Mule symbolizes all the work that women have to do. Janie’s grandmother says that black women are like mules because they are regarded lowly and have to do a lot of work for their husbands.

The Gate symbolizes Janie’s longing for new things. She is always looking over the gate, and she always thinks that the grass is greener on the other side.

The Manure pile symbolizes Janie and Logan’s marriage. He was always making her do hard work, and he treated her like she was only there to serve him.

Horizon symbolizes Janie looking for hope. She is looking to the future and hoping that things in her life will get better.

Janie’s hair symbolizes her strength and womanhood. It is her most beautiful feature, and she draws strength from it.

Overalls symbolize the hard work that Janie has to do and the poverty and hardships in her life. Her life is not luxurious, but she doesn’t really care what others think of her.

Checkers symbolize that Joe wants Janie to be above other women but still always below men. He wouldn’t let her play checkers with the men in the town.

Joe Stark’s house represents his pride. He is supposed to be an equal with the other townspeople, but his house is bigger and better.