Journal Entry 6

116
"The train beat on itself and danced on the shiny steel rails mile after mile."
Personification
This quote is important in pointing out Janie's feelings. When Tea Cake asked Janie to come live with him in Jacksonville, she became very happy. The train also represents a transition from the area where Janie was dominated by another, Joe, to a place where she stood on equal ground, with Tea Cake. Also, usually when people dance, they have fun and are happy, which once more shows Janie's feelings.

118
"The room inside looked like the mouth of an alligator - gaped wide open to swallow something down."
Simile
This simile shows Janie's desperation in trying to find the 200 dollars that she brought with her when she went to Jacksonville. If the money was lost forever in the room, it was almost hopeless for her to get it back, just like their is almost no hope in getting something out of an alligators mouth. The simile could also represent a final farewell to the influence of Joe, for the 200 dollars was from Joe's money, once it was gone, Joe was out of Janie's life.

117
"... so Janie never told him about the two hundred dollars she had pinned inside her shirt next to her skin."
Symbol
This symbol is the last bit of Joe that is left in the story, as well as the remaining remnants of Janie's previous life in Eatonville. Joe made a lot of money while he was mayor of Eatonville, so taking some of his money is like Janie taking Joe with her one last time. The money also represents Janie's previous life of upper class and riches, and maybe her desire to hang on to that for just a little bit longer. But once Tea Cake becomes more prominent in Janie's life, the money is no longer important to Janie, which is why she doesn't get mad at Tea Cake for gambling away her money.