I have been blinded by the screaming outcry of Janie's plight through her marriages. The stereotypical portrayal of the male-dominance in the book makes me feel that this is an underlying theme; the choices a young black woman (or any woman) had (has?) is a "lesser of two evils" approach.
Her first was an arranged marriage, still practiced today. She had no concept of how the relationship was supposed to work, and was under the misguided impression that marriage preceded the love. She though that love was a by-product of marriage, and was greatly wrong. To add to the strife, Logan wanted a work mule and wife, and was unhappy with Janie for staying in the house.
Her second marriage she was suckered in by pretty talk and gifts a-plenty. Once ensnared, Janie was a trophy wife to expand Starks' power and hold over his little empire.She was a verbal punching bag whenever he felt belittled by his age and condition, and Janie's beauty not fading.
Her last marriage was her best, even through the beatings. She actually had feelings for Tea Cakes, but suffered through the bad parts to hang onto the good.
Each marriage is a stereotype of the farce of relationships and marriage. In each instance Janie was a victim, whether by the hand of another or through her own naivete, or when love feels it can withstand the bumpy road (and bumpy fists). I see this aspect of the book as a stepping stone for women's rights when there were little, and none for the black female.
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