Different Views on Black Women

The views on black women change from the beginning of the novel to the end. At the beginning, Granny tells Janie “So de white man throw down de load and tell de nigger man tuh pick it up. He pick it up because he have to, but he don’t tote it. He hand it to his womenfolks. De nigger woman is de mule uh world so fur as Ah can see” (14). This shows how Granny doesn’t think that black women have any power and freedom in the world. This is thought is understandable with her past experiences in mind.

At the end of the novel however, Janie overhears men talking and saying “Well, you know whut dey say ‘uh white man and uh nigger woman is de freest thing on earth.’ Dey do as dey please” (189). This is the exact opposite of Granny’s view. They think that black women have it easier and are allowed to do what they want to. This view is more fitting in regards to Janie. She doesn’t seem to tie herself down with anything. She even leaves her first husband because she doesn’t love him.

This difference in view could relate the person saying it. Granny has had different experiences than the white men. But it could also relate to the time and place of when it was said. Granny never got to travel around and see different places. Janie on the other hand didn’t have any obligations to tie her down.