Eyes Watching: Through Chapter 11

Wow, Janie, it's about time you spoke your mind.  I found myself full of excitement while reading Janie's outburst toward her husband Joe.  I was seriously frustrated by Joe's treatment towards Janie, but I believe the age difference between the two affected him to the point where he commented that Janie was getting old.  However, I admired Janie for staying with him until the end.
At the same time, I sympathized with her.  She endured this second difficult marriage with a man that changed completely.  "Why must Joe be so mad with her for making him look small when he did it to her all the time" (77)?  She had to learn it the hard way when Joe slapped her.
After Joe died, Janie had to run things on her own.  The men didn't make it easy, but Janie pressed on.  At this time, I found it interesting that Janie hated her grandmother.  "She hated her grandmother and had hidden it from herself all these years under a cloak of pity" (85).  It was her grandmother that made her marry a much older man.  It was her grandmother that made Janie think something else of love.  It was her grandmother that made her think that marriage to any man was okay.  Honestly, I don't hate Nanny, but I wasn't very happy with her when she gave Janie to the farmer guy.
My impression of Janie has changed.  I no longer see her as this young, naive girl who gave in so easily.  I know see her as a grown woman who has had experience in life which resulted in her maturity and wisdom.

Now, when Tea Cake comes in, I see Janie mature but yet still young.  Tea Cake brings out her womaness in that she is cautious partly due to the age difference, and yet she enjoys the thrill of being with a guy like Tea Cake.  And the name Tea Cake, in my opinion, sounds intriguing.  What kind of man is named Tea Cake in the first place.  I'm curious to see what kind of relationship develops as Janie and Tea Cake continue to get to know each other.