In Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie lives to see the happy ending Fay Weldon describes as being "some kind of spiritual reassessment even at death." Janie attempts to find love in marriage, but fails the first two times. However, believing in a relationship with love, Janie finally finds love in marriage and respect for herself. The strength Janie gains from every failed relationship helps her to become free and unearth the woman she is, that "tree in bloom." (11) .
Janie, an African-American woman oppressed from birth, faces the challenge of discovering her self-value. In her first marriage to Logan Killicks, Janie recognizes that he looks at her as property. For a short period of time, Janie is a possession of Logan's that he merely wants to profit from. When Janie realizes she does not want to live her life being treated like a working animal, she begins to stand up to Logan and refute his commands. Janie's grandmother forced her to marry Logan because she did not believe in love, but wanted to create security in Janie's life. However, from Janie's first marriage she learned that "marriage did not make love," and because her "first dream was dead, she became a woman." (25) By leaving Logan, Janie attempts to become free, and in doing so she enters a new relationship. .
The second marriage to Joe Starks reflects Janie's desire to find the love that did not exist in her previous unfeeling relationship. Although Janie escapes the control of one man, she enters the domination of another. With her newfound marriage, Janie is enticed by Joe's manners and big talk of change. However, the change she hopes for does not transpire as she is still unequal in the relationship. Janie learns to hate her femininity as she is ordered to dress, speak and act a certain way. Even though Janie faces problems with being oppressed in each marriage, it is her marriage with Joe that is different as she is his now a piece of property to be show off.
