Taking on the adaptation of a literary classic like this one is daunting at best, but as always, Oprah is up to the task.
Being married to an elderly man at the age of 17 is ghastly, no matter how kind the man is. So we understand the attraction that Janie would have to Joe Starks, who, still much older than her, represented the whole wide world of possibilities to a young, uneducated Florida woman in the 1920's. Unfortunately, she became a trophy wife, valued only for her beauty and obedience, and not her mind. Although the 12-years her junior Tea Cake seems like the last person Janie should end up with after a relatively loveless 20-year marriage and eventual widowhood, appearances can be deceiving.
The story teaches that material things are all right in their place, but if we exchange them for real living and true love, we lose out. Even though there is a tragic end, you find yourself still happy that Janie experienced the kind of love we all dream about.
Being married to an elderly man at the age of 17 is ghastly, no matter how kind the man is. So we understand the attraction that Janie would have to Joe Starks, who, still much older than her, represented the whole wide world of possibilities to a young, uneducated Florida woman in the 1920's. Unfortunately, she became a trophy wife, valued only for her beauty and obedience, and not her mind. Although the 12-years her junior Tea Cake seems like the last person Janie should end up with after a relatively loveless 20-year marriage and eventual widowhood, appearances can be deceiving.
The story teaches that material things are all right in their place, but if we exchange them for real living and true love, we lose out. Even though there is a tragic end, you find yourself still happy that Janie experienced the kind of love we all dream about.