Janie

I believe that Janie is never satisfied with her life, which is only human. Throughout the story Janie has always jumped into seemingly great situations but Janie just ends up dissappointed again. The great thing about this recurring situation though is that it does not make Janie an unlikable person, unlike the characters in the Great Gatsby. I believe, and so do many others, that every person is always looking for something better. Janie especially has the right to be constantly dissatisfied because her relationships, living conditions, etc. are continuously displeasing. The consequence to this goal is that it can never be reached. The idea of an unreachable dream again relates to the American dream which we looked at while reading the Great Gatsby. Janie is in constant pursuit of a better life but can't reach it, so she ends up taking every enticing opportunity that comes her way. This idea also relates to the first paragraph of the book. Hurston says that Men's dreams are like unreachable ships on the horizon of an ocean, which is exactly what Janie is doing in her life. But Hurston also says that women's dreams are much more realistic, they discard the unreasonable and especially idiotic dreams and dedicate their life to reasonable goals. These dreams can still be ambitious but they are not out of reach. The second part of the quote contradicts Janie's actions throughout the entire book though. She is a woman who is living her life like a man at that time would. She tries to chase the unreachable boat far on the Horizon. So I think the first page of the book foreshadows what is to come for Janie, in the end Janie will finally become satisfied with her life, for better or for worse.