| According to the book, what has the woman coming back from doing? | Burying someone they loved who suddenly died |
| Why did all the people see her come? | All the gossip around the town |
| What do they remember about the woman? | Being jealous that she left with a new man |
| What do the men notice about Janie as she walks down the street, an what do the women notice about her? | Men noticed her buttocks and breasts, women noticed her faded clothes |
| What does Pheoby bring for Janie? | Mulatto rice, rice with onions, and bacon and tomatoes |
| What is Janie doing as Pheoby walks in? | Sitting on the back porch and soaking her feet |
| According to Sam Watson, why do the residents of Eatonville want to rise on Judgement Day? | Everyone’s secrets will be exposed |
| Why does Sam want to rise as well? | To know who stole his corn cob pipe |
| Does Janie intend to tell the residents of Eatonville what happened while she was gone? | No she doesn’t |
| What does Janie mean when she says “unless you see de fur, a mink skin ain’t no different from a coon hide?” | You have to look really close if you want to see if something is real |
| Why is it hard for Janie to start her story? | It is too long and complicated |
| Why was Janie called Alphabet? | Everybody gives her different nicknames |
| Why had Janie been spending so much time underneath the pear tree? | Her love for the beauty of nature |
| Who is the “glorious being” that Janie sees coming up the road? | Johnny Taylor |
| Why is Nanny scared for Janie? | She doesn’t want Janie to get hurt |
| Why does Nanny want Janie to marry Logan Killicks? | To protect her |
| What happened to Nanny’s lover? | He went to fight in the civil war, also her slave owner |
| Why did Nanny run away from the plantation in Savannah? | The bosses wife sent her death threats once she realized she the father of Nanny’s child was her husband |
| Who was Janie’s father? | A schoolteacher who raped her mother |
| Why does Nanny call herself a “cracked plate”? | She is fragile and old |
| What does Janie ask herself as the marriage approaches? | If marriage ended the loneliness of those who haven’t found anybody |
| Who arranges Janie’s wedding ceremony? | Nanny and Mrs. Washburn |
| When Janie asks Nanny for “information” why does Nanny laugh? | She thought Jannie was gonna say she was pregnant |
| What does Janie want Nanny to do? | Teach her how to love |
| What does Nanny mean when she says “bein’ a fool don’t kill nobody. It just makes you sweat”? | People worry about things that aren’t in your control |
| What doesn’t Janie like about Logan’s appearance? | His head shape, big stomach, and long toenails |
| What does Nanny do after Janie leaves her? | Pray for a long time |
| What is “a bloom time, a green time, and an orange time”? | The seasons passing |
| What does she tell the seeds and why? | She hopes they have an easy life rather than a hard one |
| What “failed” Janie, and what does she do about this? | The people she loved failed her |
| How does Logan treat Janie differently in the months that follow Nanny’s death? | Makes her do difficult chores |
| What does Janie do when Logan threatens not to chop any wood for her? | Threatens to stop preparing food for him |
| Why does Logan want an extra mule? | To run two plows |
| Describe Joe as Janie first sees him. | She is stunned by his appearance, the clothes he is wearing |
| As Joe walked down the road, “he acted like Mr. Washburn or somebody like that to Janie.” What does this imply? | He has a confident attitude |
| Why does Joe want Janie to shake her head? | He loves the way her hair shakes back and forth |
| What does Janie mean when she says to Logan, “you don’t take nothin’ to count but sow- belly and cornbread”? | He is greedy, materialistic and is only concerned with profit |
| Why does Logan ask Janie to come to the barn while she is in the middle of cooking breakfast? | To help him move a pile of manure |
| What does Logan look like with a shovel in his hand? | A black bear doing a clumsy dance on his hind legs |
| According to Janie, why is Logan mad at her words? | He knows she doesn’t consider him or his land important |
| What does Joe buy for Janie as they are traveling to Eatonville? | Apples and a lantern with candles |
| Describe the town as it is when Joe and Janie first arrive. | A place in the woods with a few small buildings; a pile of junk |
| When Joe leaves town for the first time, who stays behind, and why? | Amos Hicks because he’s attracted to Janie |
| How does Lee Coker respond to Amos Hicks and his criticism of Janie? | Says Janie is already with Joe and Joe has more power than Amos Hicks |
| How does Hicks respond to Joe’s announcement that he is going to get a post office for Eatonville? | White people don’t have colored people run their post offices so it doesn’t make sense |
| Why is Tony Taylor upset at Lige Moss during the party celebrating the store’s grand opening? | He interrupted him in the middle of his speech |
| How does Joe decide to celebrate the arrival of the street lamp? | A lighting ceremony with the whole town |
| Describe the Starks’ new house. | Two stories painted white with porches and banisters |
| What did the phase “Our beloved Mayor” mean to the residents of Eatonville? | No one believes it but they say it anyways |
| Describe the incident between Henry Pitts and Joe Stark. | Henry Pitts was caught by Joe trying to steal sugar canes and banished him |
| Sam tells Matt that his mule is in trouble by the lake. What has supposedly happened with the mule? | Women washing clothes by the lake were using mule ribs as their washboard |
| What does Joe do before he buys the mule? | Changes his shoes |
| How much does Matt get for the mule? | Five dollars |
| What is Sam and Lige’s argument about? | “What keeps a man from getting burnt on a hot stove: caution or nature?” |
| What position does each man hold in this argument, and what proof do they offer? | Sam says caution because smoke will caution you. Life says nature because naturally you don’t mess with a hot stove. |
| Why are Jim and Dave arguing in the store? | Who loves Daisy more |
| How does Joe ruin the argument for Janie? | He calls Janie in the store |
| According to Joe, what is the difference between him and Janie? | He sees more things in one and she doesn’t even see one thing in a lot of things |
| Why does Joe pretend to read the paper when Mrs. Robbins walks in? | He could make a joke with it |
| What does God supposedly tell Janie? | He was surprised on how smart women actually are and if men found out they wouldn’t know half of who they are |
| What did Janie get from Joe? | Things that were for money to buy |
| Explain the following sentence. “She sat and watched the shadow of herself going about tending store and prostrating itself before Jody, while all the time she herself sat under a shady tree with the wind blowing through her hair and her clothes.” | She daydreams about working in the store and living her daily routine life |
| Why does Joe tell Janie to stop playing croquet? | She will be too sore to wake up |
| How does Joe look older? | Falls instead of sitting in his chair, eyes are losing the spark it once had, and his stomach is sagging |
| What mistake does Janie make in the store? | Cuts the piece of tobacco too big |
| Why do people stop laughing at Joe’s insult of Janie’s body? | They realized how rude it was once they knew how impactful it was |
| According to Janie, what has Joe “mixed up”? | What Janie did with what she looks like |
| How does Janie describe herself to Joe? | She looks her age and not like an old woman |
| Who starts to tease Joe after Janie’s retort? | Walter and Lige |
| What does “playin’ de dozens” mean? | When people verbally fight (insult) each other |
| Where does Joe sleep after the fight from the preceding chapter? | In a room downstairs |
| Explain the following sentence. “Well, if she must eat out of a long – handled spoon, she must.” | Janie can’t do anything about her situation, she has to deal with it |
| Since Joe is refusing to see Janie, who is cooking and cleaning for him? | Old Lady Davis |
| What does Pheoby advise Janie to do about the rumor that she is poisoning her husband? | Don’t say anything about the rumor and act like she doesn’t know anything about it |
| What does Pheoby know about the medicine man who started the rumor about Janie? | He is a fake scammer |
| What medical problem does Joe have? | Kidney failure |
| Describe the character of Death. | A strange person with big square toes who stands on a big foundation in the West where it overlooks everybody and waits for the messengers to come so it could do its job |
| Joe claims that Janie never had sympathy for him. Does Janie agree? | She has sympathy for him but never had a chance o show it |
| What does Janie want Joe to do before he dies? | Listen to her |
| What has been waiting for Janie in the looking glass? | Her “girl self”; she is still beautiful and be the woman she wants to be |
| What song does the Elks band play during Joe’s funeral? | “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” |
| Why is Janie content to keep things as they are for now? | She has the rest of her life to be free |
| What does Janie do during the evenings? | Lies and wanders in her thoughts and thanks about the meaning of life |
| Why does Janie consider returning to where she came from? | To try and find her mom |
| How long has Joe been dead when Ike Green proposes to help Janie? | Not even for a month |
| How does Janie get rid of Ike Green? | Makes up excuse to help Hezekiah |
| How long does Janie wear black? | 6 months of “mourning” |
| How does Hezekiah become more like Joe? | Smoke and bit cigars, sat in Joes old chair |
| How do the townspeople treat Janie after she starts to wear white? | They think she isn’t sad about his death and it isn’t fitting for her |
| Who is pressuring Pheoby to introduce him to Janie? | A Stanford undertaker |
| At what time does Tea Cake come into the store? | 5:30 PM |
| What does Tea Cake buy at the store? | A pack of Camels cigarettes |
| Does Janie like checkers? | Yes but she doesn’t know the rules |
| Why does Janie complain about their game? | Tea Cake jumps her king piece and she thought it wasn’t fair |
| How does Tea Cake intend to get home? | He will find a way home even if he hops a trail illegally |
| Why didn’t Tea Cake tell Janie his name until she asks for it? | He didn’t think it would be needed |
| How does Janie joke about his nickname? | Asks if he is sweet as his name |
| What is “knuckle puddin'”? | A fist fight |
| What name does Janie call Tea Cake, and how does he like this name? | Mr. Tea; it’s too formal for him |
| What does Janie do after Tea Cake walks away? | Sits on the porch and waits for the moon to rise |
| Why does Tea Cake tell Janie to have another Coca-Cola? | It wasn’t done right the first time |
| Where do Janie and Tea Cake go fishing? | Lake Sabelia |
| How is Tea Cake prepared to play with Janie’s hair? | Brings a comb |
| What kind of fish does Tea Cake catch for Janie? | Trout |
| What does Janie wish about herself? | She could be the around or the same age as Tea Cake |
| How much does Tea Cake want to bet Janie that he loves her? | $1 |
| Why does Tea Cake wake Janie up in a couple of days after their fight? | He’s been having thoughts on marrying her |
| What is Tea Cake doing in Janie’s hammock? | Pretending to sleep |
| Why does Tea Cake bring a car to Janie’s store? | He wants to take her to the picnic the church is having |
| How long has Tea Cake been saving money to take Janie to the picnic? | 2 weeks |
| How long has Joe been dead for in this chapter? | 9 months |
| What color does Janie usually wear? | Blue |
| What does the Pastor say about Tea Cake? | He could use the extra money for gas |
| Where does Pheoby stop before she goes to Janie’s house? | Stops to talk to everyone she sees |
| Why doesn’t Janie wear mourning clothes anymore? | She isn’t in mourning |
| Why is Pheoby scared that Janie is becoming like a possum? | Possums lose sense as they grow older, doesn’t want the same to happen to Janie |
| Why does Janie decide to sell the store? | She only had it because Joe forced her to work it |
| What does Janie mean when she says, “ah don’t lived Grandma’s way, now ah means to live mine”? | She is done listening to Nanny’s advice to marry for protection, she wants to marry because of love |
| How is Pheoby like a chicken? | She won’t tell Janie’s secret |
| What costume is Janie preparing for her marriage to Tea Cake? | Blue satin dress |
| Does anybody from Eatonville see Janie leave? | Very few people |
| What does Janie send Pheoby after a week in Jacksonville? | Postcards |
| Why does Mrs. Samuels ask Janie to drink coffee with her? | Both of their husbands are at work and both can use the company |
| How did Annie Tyler get her money? | Her late husband’s insurance |
| How much money does Janie still have in Eatonville? | $1200 |
| How does Janie know Tea Cake is coming back? | He is lonely and needed somebody |
| What does Tea Cake do with the ugly women who want to get into the party? | Pays them $2 so they don’t come in |
| What happens with two men who want to fight each other at Tea Cake’s party? | They end up kissing each other though they’d rather go to jail |
| What does God know about Tea Cake? | He could never hurt a fly |
| What is the name of the man who cuts Tea Cake with a razor? | Double-Ugly |
| When dose the bean season open? | End of September |
| Why is Tea Cake waiting for his new boss? | The boss has a certain time to open so they could take everything else |
| Why doesn’t Tea Cake gamble while they are waiting for the beans to grow? | He doesn’t have to and he knows others don’t have the money for it |
| How does Tea Cake make Janie practice shooting? | Having her shoot tin cans he set up |
| What is Tea Cake’s favorite dish? | Baked beans with sugar and bacon |
| Why does Janie make dessert every night? | She knows Tea Cake likes it |
| What happens when the houses fill up? | People would sleep around the property |
| Why do people come to Tea Cake and Janie’s house every night? | To hear Tea Cake play on his guitar |
| How often does Tea Cake win at gambling? | Sometimes because there are better gamblers around the area |
| Who won the card game? | Ed |
| Describe Nunkie. | A younger chubby girl who worked around Tea Cake |
| How would Nunkie play with Tea Cake? | Play fight with him so he could mess around with her |
| How does Janie react to Nunkie’s games? | Janie tells him to stop messing around with her |
| How does Janie find out where Tea Cake is? | Sop-de-Bottom helps her |
| Why does Janie go home instead of to work? | Nunkie was happy and she didn’t want to see happy people |
| What does Tea Cake do to keep Janie from running away? | Holds her by her wrists and pulled her towards him |
| How does Tea Cake “bruise” Janie’s ears? | Tells her he doesn’t do anything with Nunkie |
| Does Janie believes that Tea Cake was never interested in Nunkie? | She has a little feeling he does but she knows he didn’t;t have any interest |
| Why does Janie want to hear Tea Cake’s denial once again? | She wanted to feel superior to Nunkie and reassure he doesn’t have interest |
| How does Tea Cake describe Nunkie to Janie? | Nunkie is a chunky woman that can’t do anything except for breaking wood |
| Where do Tea Cake and Janie go now that the season is over and most of the people are leaving? | They don’t go anywhere |
| Describe Mrs. Turner. | Rounded shoulders, wide hips, pointed nose |
| How does Tea Cake joke about Mrs. Turner’s appearance? | Saying she was shaped by a cow’s kick |
| Mrs. Turner guesses to Janie that Tea Cake is very rich. Why? | Janie is too pretty for someone like him |
| What does Mrs. Turner believe should be done about the “black race”? | Should be lighter skinned |
| According to Janie, why do white people want to stay away from the black? | Society makes them seem like the lower class and they don’t want to be associated around those people |
| Why is Mrs. Turner so proud of her brother? | He is smart and attends Sunday school |
| What does Tea Cake intend to do about Mrs. Turner’s insults? | He won’t eat at their place and have everybody not to eat there; he will tell her husband to make sure she stays at home |
| Why does Tea Cake accuse Mrs. Turner of “making God look foolish”? | She sees bad in everything |
| How does Mrs. Turner feel when she is with Janie? | She has become more white |
| How many times does Tea Cake slap Janie? | 2 or 3 times |
| Why doesn’t Sop-de-Bottom hit his wife anymore? | She began to scream and hit him back |
| Why don’t the police arrest drunks on the weekend? | Almost everybody is drunk and it would take too much jail space |
| Why is the whole gang at Mrs. Turner’s cafe? | They wanted to take a break from home cooking |
| What do Sterrett and Coodemay order at the cafe? | Coffee, beef stew, and fish |
| What does Coodemay ask the waitress to do? | Hold his food for him |
| How does the fight start? | Coodemay didn’t want Sop-de-Bottom to sit in his seat |
| Why does Mrs. Turner try to refuse Tea Cake’s help? | He is making things worse |
| What happens when everyone decides to make up? | They get a drink at Vickers |
| What do Coodemay and Sterrett do on Monday morning? | Begged for Mrs. Turners forgiveness and gave her $5 |
| How much money are the workers making picking beans? | Up to $8 |
| Who begins to sing and dance to Tea Cake’s guitar? | Muck-boy |
| How much money does Tea Cake win from Motor Boat? | Nothing |
| Why does Tea Cake go out while Janie is packing up their things? | To look at the damages and make a plan for what to do next |
| How deep is the water when they leave the house? | Up to their buttocks |
| What does Tea Cake have to abandon because of the strength of the storm? | His box |
| How long and wide is Lake Okechobee according to Tea Cake? | 40 miles wide and 60 miles long |
| What does Motor Boat plan to do if water gets into the house? | Go upstairs and swim his way out |
| Why does the cow panic when Janie grabs onto her tail? | It thought it was an alligator |
| How could that dog “raised hell” with Tea Cake? | It would’ve bit Tea Cake in the eye if it had dragged Tea Cake an inch higher |
| Why does Tea Cake believe he can walk through the streets without being forced to work? | He has money |
| What do the white men call Tea Cake? | Jim |
| Whom has Tea Cake seen alive, and who has died in the flood? | Sop-de-Bottom, Dockery, ‘Lias, Coodemay, Motor Boat, Bootnyny = ALIVESterrett = DEAD |
| What does Tea Cake refuse from Janie? | A pan of baked beans |
| Whom does Janie meet as she goes to see the doctor about the medicine? | Sop-de-Bottom and Dockery |
| Does the doctor have the medicine for Tea Cake? | No |
| Why does Tea Cake tell Janie not to work in the front yard? | He wants to see her at all times |
| What does Janie do after Tea Cake falls dead on her? | Pries his teeth off her arm and starts sobbing |
| What is worse than death to Janie? | Lying thoughts |
| Why did Sop and the others try to hurt Janie? | They loved Tea Cake but didn’t understand the situation |
| How does Sop-de-Bottom explain the town’s attack on Mrs. Turner’s brother? | Mrs. Turners brother came into town and asked what Tea Cake and Janie were doing, they could tell he was up to no good |
| How does the town make itself feel better after what they did to Janie? | Running Mrs. Turners brother out of town |
| How long had the town’s anger lasted against Janie? | Two days |
| What is the Everglades to Janie without Tea Cake? | “A great expense of black mud” |
| What does Janie keep for herself from the Everglades? | A package of seeds Tea Cake bought for her to plant |
| What is love like, according to Janie? | The sea |
| What does Pheoby plan to do tomorrow? | Have Sam take her fishing |
| What are the two things that everybody has to do for themselves? | Learn top be independent and go to God |
| What is Tea Cake wearing for a shawl? | The sun |
| Where is peace for Janie? | Knowing Tea Cake is always with her because he showed her the horizon |
Their Eyes Were Watching God Study Guide
June 17, 2020