Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapters 13-15 reflection on Janie and Tea Cake's relationship.

    Tea Cake’s story about where he was and what he was doing in Chapter 13 was softened up for Janie to forgive him more easily. “Tea Cake stuck out till he had some breakfast, then he talked and acted out the story.” Breakfast gave Tea Cake time enough to think the story through, to make it as innocent as possible. Tea Cake probably made the money spending sound a lot less bad as how it really was. Also, by the way Janie reacted, he was able to convince her with the story. I feel that this will affect their relationship, negatively. Perhaps trust will be an issue now. Ever since Tea Cake and Janie got comfortable with each other, things went downhill. To me, it seemed as if Tea Cake was acting like a good person only when the moments were new and fresh, rather than remaining as a good person to Janie throughout their relationship.

    Two things Janie said during this situation were, “Tea Cake, if you don’t hurry up and tell me, Ah’ll take and beat yo; head flat as uh dime,” and “Sho ah would. Ah laks fun just as good as you do.” You can tell from these two quotes, she was obviously feeling left out. Tea Cake was selfish and left her alone, and Janie felt insecure and bad for herself. This showed that Janie didn’t want to believe that Tea Cake was doing anything wrong, which he probably was, making her a gullible type of person. Janie looks like a weak person because of this, she looks like she can’t cope without having Tea Cake in her life, so she is willing to do anything to prevent it. Janie obviously is a lonely person without Tea Cake, so even though she has her doubts, she doesn't want to do something that can risk the relationship they have together.

    “Tea Cake, you’se uh mess! Can’t do ‘thout me dat lil time.” “So the very next morning Janie got ready to pick beans along with Tea Cake.” Janie decided to be more close with Tea Cake and bond with him. This is so Janie can make sure she has her eyes on him, just in case he does something she would disagree with. This is my opinion of the situation, I think Janie is just trying to have a relationship with Tea Cake in which there is nothing hidden between them. She is after all, obsessed with him. The above quotes show that Tea Cake basically impacted Janie’s life, not necessarily positively. However, it isn't completely negative, as all relationships have their good and bad moments. I still feel that Tea Cake is taking advantage of Janie, even if he makes her happy.

    I do not think Tea Cake and Janie’s relationship is a very good one. After all these problems, with the money being wasted, even though he recovered more of it, and the girl problem. Tea Cake is young and wants to have fun, as Janie is older and perhaps more conserved. I know that Janie wants to remain in this relationship, and possibly Tea Cake, but he wants to have more fun outside of the relationship, I guess. I have a feeling that they can possibly get over this, and work things out, or they can continue the same way, the relationship being mainly on mistrust.