Journal #8: Literary terms

1) Diction
- "Tea Cake fell in beside her and mounted the porch this time" (Hurston, 101).
- Everyone leaves the store because it is getting dark outside.  But Tea Cake stays to talk with Janie.

Hurston uses the word mounted to possibly show Tea Cakes assertiveness and his eagerness to talk with Janie.  She wants to let the reader know that Tea Cake intends to stay and his desire for Janie.

2) Dialogue
- "You doin' right not tuh talk it, but Janie, you'se takin' uh mighty big chance."

"Tain't so big uh chance as it seems lak, Pheoby.  Ah'm older than Tea Cake, yes.  But he done showed me where it's de thought dat makes de difference in ages.  If people thinks de same they can make it all right.  So in the beginnin' new thoughts had tuh be thought and new words said.  After Ah got used tuh dat, we gits 'long jus' fine.  He done taught me de maiden languages all over.  Wait till you see de new blue satin Tea Cake done picked out for me tuh stand up wid him in.  High heel slippers, necklace, earrings, everything he wants tuh see me in.  Some of dese mornin's and it won't be long, you gointuh wake up callin' me and Ah'll be gone." (Hurston, 115)
- Pheoby and Janie are talking about Tea Cake and how he is a risk to run off with.  Pheoby thinks that he is just in it for the money and is going to use the money Joe made.

I noticed two important things about Hurston's dialogue.  First, it is usually between two people , and she does not indicate who is speaking.  The reader must find this out when one of the characters says the others name.  I think she does this to engage the reader, so he/she will be able to tell who is speaking by the way they talk.  This establishes a stronger bond between the reader and the characters in the book.

Secondly, I noticed that throughout the book Hurston has the character of more significance tends to speak longer than a minor character does.  The quote above is a perfect example of this because Janie, obviously being the main character, is talking to Pheoby, a minor character.  Hurston does this to possibly focus the reader more on the main characters, and have a better understanding of who they are, rather than the minor characters, who do not have a big role in the story.

3) Mentor
- "But anyhow, watch yo'self, Janie, and don't be took advantage of.  You know how dese young men is wid older women.  Most of de time dey's after whut dey kind git, then dey's gone lak uh turkey though de corn." (Hurston, 112)
- Same scenario as Dialogue


Hurston uses Pheoby as a mentor to Janie, telling her to be careful about Tea Cake.  Hurston does this probably to build suspense for the reader.  When the reader is first introduced to Tea Cake, he/she has suspicions about him.  This scene builds the suspense even more because it gives you another character's negative feelings and thoughts towards Tea Cake.