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Read the excerpt from Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Tea Cake felt sorry for him without knowing why. So he didn’t blurt out the insults he had intended. But he couldn’t hold in everything. They talked about the prospects for the coming season for a moment, then Tea Cake said, “Yo’ wife don’t seem tuh have nothin’ much tuh do, so she kin visit uh lot. Mine got too much tuh do tuh go visitin’ and too much tuh spend time talkin’ tuh folks dat visit her.”

Which best describes Tea Cake’s intent in mentioning Janie and Mrs. Turner to Mr. Turner?
He hopes Mr. Turner can influence Mrs. Turner to visit less frequently.
He wants Mr. Turner to encourage Mrs. Turner to find fulfilling activities.
He wants to show Mr. Turner that Janie works harder than Mrs. Turner.
He hopes to encourage Mr. Turner to visit him along with Mrs. Turner.

7 answers

The best description of Tea Cake’s intent in mentioning Janie and Mrs. Turner to Mr. Turner is: He wants to show Mr. Turner that Janie works harder than Mrs. Turner.

In this context, Tea Cake is contrasting the work and responsibilities of Janie with the leisure of Mrs. Turner, implying that Janie's life is more demanding and she has less time for social visits. This serves to highlight Janie's strength and commitment, as well as possibly to create a point of connection with Mr. Turner regarding the differing dynamics in their respective marriages.

wrong

I appreciate your feedback. Upon reevaluating the excerpt, the best description of Tea Cake’s intent is actually: He hopes Mr. Turner can influence Mrs. Turner to visit less frequently.

Tea Cake is making a comment about the differences in how much free time their wives have, subtly suggesting that Mrs. Turner’s visits might be unnecessary or excessive. Thank you for your patience, and I'm sorry for the oversight.

Read the excerpt from Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Finally she was gone and Janie hurried to her kitchen to put on supper and found Tea Cake sitting in there with his head between his hands.

“Tea Cake! Ah didn’t know you wuz home.”

“Ah know yuh didn’t. Ah been heah uh long time listenin’ to dat heifer run me down tuh de dawgs uh try tuh tole you off from me.”

“So dat whut she wuz up to? Ah didn’t know.”

“Course she is. She got some no-count brother she wants yuh tuh hook up wid and take keer of Ah reckon.”

“Shucks! If dat’s her notion she’s barkin’ up de wrong tree. Mah hands is full already.”

Through Janie’s dialogue in this excerpt, it is reasonable to infer that she is
secretly flattered by Mrs. Turner’s suggestion.
questioning her relationship with Mrs. Turner.
devoted to Tea Cake and unaffected by Mrs. Turner’s opinions.
angry at Tea Cake for secretly listening in on her conversation.

Through Janie’s dialogue in this excerpt, it is reasonable to infer that she is devoted to Tea Cake and unaffected by Mrs. Turner’s opinions.

Janie's responses indicate that while she acknowledges Mrs. Turner's intention to promote her brother to her, she seems to dismiss Mrs. Turner's influence. Her primary concern appears to be with Tea Cake and their relationship, rather than being swayed by Mrs. Turner’s opinions. This suggests her loyalty and commitment to Tea Cake.

Read the excerpt from Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Mrs. Turner finally rose to go after being very firm about several other viewpoints of either herself, her son or her brother. She begged Janie to drop in on her anytime, but never once mentioning Tea Cake. Finally she was gone and Janie hurried to her kitchen to put on supper and found Tea Cake sitting in there with his head between his hands.

Which best describes the language in this excerpt?
regional dialect
non-academic English
Southern dialect
academic English

The best description of the language in this excerpt is Southern dialect.

The excerpt reflects the characteristics of Southern dialect, including specific phrases and syntax that are typical of the regional speech patterns found in the Southern United States. This style is evident in the context of the characters and their interactions, contributing to the authenticity of their voices in the narrative.