Janie spares no expense for Joe’s funeral. Even people from neighboring towns attend his funeral. She does what is expected of her as a widow, but she hides her true feelings behind the required mourning attire. Inwardly, Janie feels no sorrow.
Janie’s first act of freedom is to burn all of the headrags that Joe made her wear. Aside from that, she makes no changes. She keeps the store with the help of a teenage youth, Hezekiah, who does his best to emulate Joe’s mannerisms, even down to his cigar. Now Janie can sit on the porch and talk if she chooses.
What should she do? Seek her long-lost mother, Leafy? Go back to her hometown and tend to Nanny’s grave? An undertaker of a nearby town is courting Janie, and moreover, suddenly men who were scarcely interested in her and Joe are now driving distances to inquire about her. For Janie, the best course is to enjoy her freedom and make the most of being alive.
