Cast of Characters

By: Cherilyn Jorgensen

•       Janie Crawford: She is the protagonist. She compares love to a tree. Janie married three times, and did not truly love until her last husband. She was a very independent person.

•          Logan Killicks: Janie’s first husband. He was an older man, and put Janie to work doing jobs she did not care to do. Although Logan was financial stability for Janie he was not emotional stability so Janie ends up leaving him.

•         Jody Starks: Janie’s second husband. He wanted to be high up in society. Although he did initially love Janie, he did not have his priorities straight and was more worried about his store than his wife. Jody was so into his business and did not want his wife to be a problem. 

•    Tea Cake: Janie’s third husband. Tea Cake is younger and very adventurous. Janie loved him and he loved Janie. He wanted to protect Janie from anything or anyone that could cause her danger, and at one point does not let her see certain areas of himself. He is very unselfish and provides for Janie.

•          Nanny Crawford: Janie’s grandma. She forces Janie to marry Logan because of his money. Nanny was a slave and because of that many of her decisions reflected those years.

•          Amos Hicks: He was in Eatonville. Amos flirts with Janie and tries to get her to leave her husband for him.

•          Pheoby Watson: Janie’s close friend from Eatonville. She cares about Janie’s decisions and wants her to make the right ones. Pheoby does not try to stop her, but she does recommend advice. She does not want people to take advantage of Janie and her money.

•          Sam Watson: Pheoby’s husband. He seems to see the better in people, especially Jody and Janie. He gets concerned for Janie when he thinks she is making a bad decision.

•          Hezekiah Pots: He worked in the Stark’s store. After Jody dies Hezekiah steps up and starts doing more in the store. He also worries about Janie allowing Tea Cake to take care of her.

•          Mrs. Turner: She is an African American woman with certain aspects that are more Caucasian. She likes those aspects, and does not like people who are darker than herself. Mrs. Turner likes Janie and encourages her to leave Tea Cake because she thinks Janie could do better.

•          Mr. Turner: He could not control his wife, and was not willing to step in and help when she needed him.

•          Motor Boat: Janie and Tea Cakes friend. He played cards with Tea Cake. On the day of the Hurricane he travels a little while with Janie and Tea Cake until he quits because he is tired.

•          Dr. Simmons: A white doctor who cares very much for everyone in the town. Dr. Simmons tries to help Janie and Tea Cake as much as he can even though he feels there is no hope for Tea Cake.