Mule Stories: A Thematic Analysis
Mule stories are stories told to entertain the town. However, the mule is more than just a ornery beast. The mule stories are symbols of how women are subservient to men and how men do not understand women- to the point of being totally different species.
For example, in the beginning of the chapter Sam teases Matt that his mule is so wild because Matt “work’im on uh empty stomach” (53). This is just speculation, as no one really knows why the mule is like it is. Later in the story, Mrs. Robbins comes to the stores complaining that “Tony don’t fee-eed me!”(73), to which the townspeople laugh, and speculate why her husband hasn’t killed her. In both scenarios, a being is being misunderstood and ridiculed, and both Mrs. Robbins and the mule …show more content…
His first show of power was when he stole Janie’s hidden money. Because she hid her money away out of fear of Teacake simply being a golddigger, it was obvious that she did not wish for him to know about it, much less have him spend it. Teacake taking her money clearly shows that he believes that he can take the money because it was his right to, and thus establishes his superiority. This idea is further supported when Janie does not seem upset over this breach of privacy, and Teacake does not seem apologetic at all. Later, he shows his superiority and ownership of Janie in the form of punishment. With the arrival of new planters in the beginning of chapter 17, Teacake is afraid of Janie cheating on him, despite numerous assurances of loyalty by Janie. This misunderstanding also demonstrates how Teacake, like many men, do not understand women. Teacakes ability to be “able to whip her reassured him in possession” (147). The whip is used to punish mules, and the use of the word “possession” further supports the metaphor of women being mules. Even though she is seen as very independent, Janie also perpetuates the disparity between men and women by letting Teacake hit her.
Throughout the novel, the speaker uses many animal metaphors to convey a deeper meaning. The metaphor of women as mules is an overarching metaphor which spans itself throughout the entire novel. It is used to underline the expected submissiveness of women and also the disparity between men’s perception of women and what women are actually like. Although Janie herself is regarded as an independent and stubborn, she still allows herself to fall prey to the social conventions around
For example, in the beginning of the chapter Sam teases Matt that his mule is so wild because Matt “work’im on uh empty stomach” (53). This is just speculation, as no one really knows why the mule is like it is. Later in the story, Mrs. Robbins comes to the stores complaining that “Tony don’t fee-eed me!”(73), to which the townspeople laugh, and speculate why her husband hasn’t killed her. In both scenarios, a being is being misunderstood and ridiculed, and both Mrs. Robbins and the mule …show more content…
His first show of power was when he stole Janie’s hidden money. Because she hid her money away out of fear of Teacake simply being a golddigger, it was obvious that she did not wish for him to know about it, much less have him spend it. Teacake taking her money clearly shows that he believes that he can take the money because it was his right to, and thus establishes his superiority. This idea is further supported when Janie does not seem upset over this breach of privacy, and Teacake does not seem apologetic at all. Later, he shows his superiority and ownership of Janie in the form of punishment. With the arrival of new planters in the beginning of chapter 17, Teacake is afraid of Janie cheating on him, despite numerous assurances of loyalty by Janie. This misunderstanding also demonstrates how Teacake, like many men, do not understand women. Teacakes ability to be “able to whip her reassured him in possession” (147). The whip is used to punish mules, and the use of the word “possession” further supports the metaphor of women being mules. Even though she is seen as very independent, Janie also perpetuates the disparity between men and women by letting Teacake hit her.
Throughout the novel, the speaker uses many animal metaphors to convey a deeper meaning. The metaphor of women as mules is an overarching metaphor which spans itself throughout the entire novel. It is used to underline the expected submissiveness of women and also the disparity between men’s perception of women and what women are actually like. Although Janie herself is regarded as an independent and stubborn, she still allows herself to fall prey to the social conventions around