Even though the relationship with Teacake was Janie's best marriage, it was, by no means perfect. Tea Cake beat her publicly, stole her money, would take off without telling her where he was going and showed signs of possession. "Tea Cake and Janie gone to a dance. Tea Cake and Janie making flower beds in Janie's yard and seeding the garden for her. Chopping down that tree she never did like by the dining room window. All those signs of possession" (110). Janie still had to do all the cooking, cleaning, and "women's work" that she had to do before. Even though Janie had all the money, Tea Cake still had to show "who was boss." Tea Cake takes her money to his liking, uses it for whatever he pleases and doesn't even try to include Janie when he does.

For her part, Janie accepts the treatment. However, just...