Journal 6 - The Turner's

Journal 6 Chapters 16-17

The Turners are different than any other couple in this novel in that the woman wears the pants in the relationship. She makes all the decisions and is generally more harsh with Mr. Turner than he is with her. This is juxtaposed with every other couple in the book where the man is in charge. In this culture it is not unnatural for a man to beat his wife now and again, whereas in the Turners relationship it is more likely that Mrs. Turner will beat Mr. Turner than vice versa. It acts as a foil to all the other relationships in the book, including Janie's marriages and all of Janie's friends marriages. Mr. Turners feelings about Mrs. Turner are also shown when he doesn't stand up for her at the bar fight in her restaurant.