Their eyes were watching god--help with quotes?

Question

1. “ ‘Once upon uh time, Ah never ‘spected nothin’, Tea Cake, but bein’ dead from standin’ still and tryin’ tuh laugh. But you come ‘long and made something’ outa me. So Ah'm thankful fuh anything we come through together.’ ” (311)

2. “ ‘So Ah’m back home agin and Ah’m satisfied tuh be heah. Ah done been tuh de horizon and back and now Ah kin set heah in mah house and live by comparisons.’ ” (332)

i need help finding the deeper meaning to these quotes. I have to analyze the nature of janie's philosophies and values.

anything will help, thanks!

Answer 1

the first quote is talking about her previous relationships before Tea Cake. After she was caught kissing a boy she was forced to marry a well-to-do man she didn't love, because her grandmother wanted her to have a good life and be taken care of financially.

in a way, she was "dead from standing still" because she wasn't allowed to be herself. she worked hard like a "mule", a term that was used in the story that referred to women oppressed by their husbands. one husband even forced her to tie up her hair because he caught a man lusting after her long hair.

however, Tea Cake was more affectionate, considerate, and carefree. he encouraged her sexiness and treated her like a woman. he valued her feelings and aimed to make her happy. the freedom he gave her allowed her to find herself. that's how he made something out of her. he took a lifeless woman and showed her what life was all about

when he stole money from her she forgave him, and when the storm came they tried to survive together, and when he got rabies she stuck by him until she had to kill him, despite everything she had gone through with Tea Cake, she would never had experienced love if it weren't for him

Answer 2

The person talking did not have much of a life before, however he met someone nice, and his experience broadened in life and he is quite happy.  Now he can compare what he use to be with what he is now.  His venturing out has made him/her a better person.  --- Toni D.  

Answer 3

Fukc, I hate that book.  I had to read that for English this summer.  Surprisingly, when I took a test on it, it was my highest grade out of all the ones I read.

The first one I think means that Tea Cake brought life to her.  Before when she was married to Joe she was silent and she didn't talk a lot.  She never expressed her emotions or thoughts, but now that she's with Tea Cake, she feels alive.

Ah the second quote.  I think I had a question about that but I forgot what I put.  I think before when she was living in that house, it was empty, and she couldn't stand being there because of that (or something along those lines), but now that she's gone out and lived her life, she feels like her house is full of memories and other stuff.  

Isn't that second quote from near the end?  If it is, then I think my answer for the second question applies.

Try looking on SparkNotes.