Chapters 11-13
Janie is able to see some semblance of love with Tea Cake. He doesn’t have much, but she’s afraid he might just be using him, as are the others in her town. He doesn’t really care much about his possessions either and doesn’t even buy a car until he wants to take Janie to the town picnic. Janie is afraid Tea Cake doesn’t care about her either, and he has many other things going on.
“You’se got de world in uh jug and make out like you don’t know it” (104).
Janie is afraid of Tea Cake leaving her and leading her on.
“At the newel post Janie whirled around and for the space of a thought she was lit up like a transfiguration. Her next thought brought her crashing down. He’s just saying anything for the time being, feeling he’s got me so I’ll b’lieve him. . The next thought buried her under tons of cold futility. He’s trading on being younger than me. Getting ready to laugh at me for and old fool. But oh, what wouldn’t I give to be twelve years younger so I could b’lieve him!” (105).
Janie does believe Tea Cake and everything he does. He probably stole that money he brings back to her and didn’t win it gambling, that why he comes back hurt. He does seem to prove himself to her though, and she believes him.
