In the beginning of Janie’s story, she is looking for a partner, a person with whom she can really experience love. Through her journey, she gets married three times: first to Logan Killicks, then to Joe Starks, and finally to "Tea Cake," with the latter husband being her true love. Her first marriage was arranged by her grandmother. She wanted what was best for her granddaughter, but Logan started to use her as a worker on the farm. With Tea Cake, she could share her life and take care of him. Unfortunately, he got infected with rabies and tried to kill Janie. In an act of self defense she had to kill him. He taught her how to speak with her body, and not to talk when she chose not to. When she accomplished her dream she gained her sense of security and independence.
Likewise, the story of Danny started of emotionally unstable, as he was on the verge of rebellion. He then met Reuven Malter, who became his best friend. They both studied together and Danny started to grow more intellectually. His subject of interest is psychology. He wants to pursue it but his father doesn’t know about his secular studying and wants him to take his father’s position of Tzaddik. Also, Danny’s father does not speak with him unless they are studying together. The purpose of this was to build Danny’s soul. Toward the end Danny accomplishes his goal of going to the University of Colubia to study psychology and he accomplished this with the help of his friend. Also Danny’s father talks to Danny through Reuven and apologizes for the silence. Through the silence, however, Danny learned how to care for others and develop a soul of a true Tzaddik.
Although the two characters lived very different lives, many similarities can be seen between them. They both experienced emotional and spiritual growth. Danny wanted to purse his study of psychology in the University of Columbia, but his father wouldn’t let him as he was suppose to take his position as a Tzaddik. In the end, his father gives his permission to go to the University to study psychology and is relieved of the burden of silence between them. And just like Danny, Janie was seeking to find a spiritual enlightenment and a strong sense of her own identity and she accomplished her goal. With all of that said and done, any goal or dream is possible to achieve if people put their minds to it.
