The Problem of "Men(s)"

It is interesting to note the problem that men play in Janie’s life. Despite their undesirable qualities such as “mule foots,” Jamie continually is linked (or attempts to link herself) to men during her search for herself. She initiates this journey by kissing a boy walking down the road, which leads to her grandmother’s forcing her to marry Logan Killicks. Logan forces Jamie to work for him while denying her any sort of the romantic love that she desires. When Joe Starks comes along, he promises her tenderness and the love that she yearns for, but really, he too attempts to control her as he does not allow her to come down from the pedestal on which he has placed her, denying her the experience of life. In addition, he forces her to work for him and bad-mouths her in front of others on account of his own insecurity. Tea Cake, however, helps her to achieve balance; not only does Jamie only work beside him by choice, she enjoys working beside him because she loves him. Even Tea Cake remains a little unreliable, though.