That Zora Sure Does Love Her Some Symbols

• The checkers stand for Janie's equality and how Tea Cake treats her.
• Janie's braid is for freedom.
• The head rag meant bondage and slavery.
• Booker T. was an example of black success.
• Mrs. Turner personified racism and all of its complexities.
• Guitars stood for the playful side of people and the life-loving atmosphere of the Muck and Tea Cake.
• Overalls were for the working class and hard, honest work.
• The packet of seeds holds new life and starting over.
• The horizon is for new beginnings, hope, and planning for the future.
• The color blue  is proof of Janie and Tea Cake's love. It also symbolizes their partnership.
• The fish were a symbol of sharing of relationship between Janie and Tea Cake
• The Muck and the dirt were for the working class and a community rich and fertile in fun and love.
• The hurricane is God's power and how it is scary and amazing.
• The rabid dog is a symbol for hatred and how it is blind to who it hurts.
• The street lamp showed a new start and a fire just being lit. It also stood for Joe's ambition.

• The spittoons were for unnecessary luxury and Joe's way of keeping Janie content.
• The Eatonville store is the meeting place and center of the community.
• Mules stand for the burden of women, especially black women.
• Guns and shooting show that Janie is being empowered.
• The pear tree is for perfect harmony and marriage. 
• The sun and the way Janie associates Tea Cake with it means that life goes on and the sun continues to rise and set.