In the previous chapters we see Jody’s need for power and overall ignorance, which we assume would be one of the failing factors of Jonie and Jody’s marriage. Jonie was initially attracted to Jody because she admired his ambitious nature, and believed that she would be able to find purpose in life. After the two settle-down in Eatonville it does not take long to notice that Jody is overprotective and power oriented. You cannot really look at Jody as an evil man. Those are the values that he has and that is what he knows. When the situations are explained from Jonie’s point of view, it sounds as if Jody had suddenly changed when the two settled down. The reality is that Jonie did not take enough time to really get to know Jody, and this results in a failed marriage. Jonie was so eager to leave the marriage that was forced upon her that she basically forces one upon herself.
“It’s so easy to make yo’self out God Almighty when you ain’t got nothin’ tuh strain agaisnt but women and chickens,”(71.)
After building up emotions inside for extended periods of time, Janie has these outbursts that criticize men like Jody Starks. Janie tries hard to keep the marriage alive by doing what she is told and keeping her thoughts to herself, but his eventually results in a disaster. The self-contained Jonie and the insecure Jody clash and realize their grave mistake.
