Character List
Casey Baumgartner
Janie Woods née
Crawford (African American): Janie is the beautiful protagonist who
journeys to find herself and a true love.
Vergible “Tea Cake”
Woods (African American): Tea Cake is Janie’s third husband, who dies of rabies
after saving Janie’s life. He is the first man to truly love her and restores
her faith in love.
Nanny Crawford
(African American): Nanny raises Janie, sets up her first marriage, and has
a large impact on her worldview. She grew up during the civil war era and was
repeatedly raped by her master before running to the Washburns.
Logan Killicks
(African American): Janie’s first husband, Logan, is domineering and
verbally abusive which causes Janie to lose all hope in love
Joe “Jody” Starks
(African American): Jody is Janie’s second husbanc. She runs away with him
to Eatonville, where he becomes the mayor. He provides a good life for her but
severely represses her freedom.
Pheoby Watson
(African American): Pheoby is Janie’s best friend, Janie confides everything
in her and in return Pheoby often gives her advice.
Mrs. Turner (African
American): Mrs. Turner is a restaurant
owner in the Everglades settlement where Janie lives with Tea Cake. She hates
her own blackness and causes problems by trying to convince Janie she is too
good for Tea Cake.
Leafy (African American): Janie is the result of Leafy being raped
by her school teacher. Leafy becomes an alcoholic and runs away, after Janie is
born, leaving Nanny to raise Janie. It is her rape and consequent ruin that
will cause Nanny to want Janie to be happily married as soon as possible.
Johnny Tyler (African
American): Johnny is the first boy Janie kisses; it is this kiss that will
cause Nanny to pack Janie off to marry Logan.
The Washburns
(Caucasian): Janie grows up with this family while Nanny is employed as the
family’s nanny. They treat Janie like part of the family, instilling a feeling
of equality in her.
Nunkie (African
American): Nunkie, a young girl who flirts with Tea Cake, is used to reveal
to the reader Janie’s depth of adoration for Tea Cake.
Dr. Simmons
(Caucasian): Dr. Simmons tries to save Tea Cake from rabies and will
testify in Janie’s favor when she is arrested for Tea Cake’s murder.
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