By: Bethany Maupin
Janie Crawford—The central character. Janie is raised by her grandmother, journeys through three marriages in search of love, and discovers her own identity. Refuses to live by the standards and opinions of others and is determined to experience life to the full. She is fiercely independent, very courageous, and opinionated. She attracts the men with her beautiful, long hair that is a result of her mixed ancestry. Janie walks away from a man that tries to define her by work, refuses to be defined by her husband, and even lets go of true love in order to live. In the end, she is content to sit back and savor the memories of her life, dependent upon no one but herself. Instead of judging those who criticize her, she pities them because of all the life and love they are missing out on.
Nanny Crawford—Janie’s grandmother who raises her. Nanny’s life in slavery made her long for a life of security and respectability. She longs to provide these things for Janie and arranges her marriage to the respectable Logan Killicks. Janie agrees to this for her grandmother’s sake, but secretly longs to experience life and love for herself. Nanny raised a daughter and granddaughter on her own, which shows her strength. She only wants the best for Janie, even if her plans don’t work out.
Logan Killicks—Janie’s first husband. He is a selfish man who cares more for his work than for Janie. He is defined by his work and sees a wife only as a fellow worker to help him. Once the initial marital bliss wears off he expects Janie to work like a farm animal. Janie doesn’t think twice about leaving him. She walks off with Jody Starks without a backward glance.
Jody Starks—Janie’s second husband. Jody is defined by his accomplishments. Sweeps Janie off her feet with his smooth talk and takes her down to Eatonville. It becomes his personal mission to build up the town. Soon he is mayor, storekeeper, and postman occupied with business and politics. Janie is his trophy wife that he can parade around. He jealously requires her to hide her hair and puts her to work in the store. Instead of seeing her as a person, she is an object, good for her looks and for work. She is soon defined by her position as Mrs. Mayor. Jody finds his security in the power and influence he holds over others. He is conceited and vain. As his body deteriorates he starts to verbally abuse Janie and her looks in an attempt to boost his own self-image. When he dies, Janie feels relieved and set free.
Tea Cake—Janie’s third husband and the love of her life. He is full of life and laughter, ready to take on the world. Although Tea is twelve years younger than Janie, he quickly falls in love with her. He allows Janie to play and have the youthful fun that she was robbed of when she married young. He is the first man not to judge her according to gender and gives her the freedom to define herself. Tea wins Janie’s love, marries her, and carries her off to the Glades to live. She adopts men’s clothing and joins Tea in the fields to spend more time with him. However, Tea is not perfect. He is very jealous of any attention Janie gets from other men and beats her to show his authority over her. He is also a gambler and gambles away some of Janie’s money. However, she is so in love that these things don’t worry her. They outlive a hurricane, but Tea is bit by a rabid dog when he saves Janie’s life. His jealousy appears again when he is determined to kill Janie rather than allow another man to have her. Janie chooses to live rather than die for love. This shows she is not dependent on anyone, even her true love.
Pheoby Watson—Janie’s best friend in Eatonville. Janie confides in Pheoby before she leaves with Tea Cake. Pheoby is a loyal friend who is concerned for her friend’s well-being, but at the same time does not try to infringe on Janie’s independence. When Janie returns to Eatonville, Pheoby is the first to visit, brings over food, and sits to patiently listen to Janie’s life story. She is inspired by Janie’s story.
