In this chapter, the character of Mrs. Turner is introduced. An unattractive, arrogant woman, Mrs. Turner, along with her husband, owns the local restaurant. She has deep-seated beliefs about the superiority of the Caucasian race. She and Janie had seen one another throughout the season, but they have not come to know one another until the season ended.
For the first time, Janie faces prejudice. Mrs. Turner only pursues a friendship with Janie because she has lighter skin than the rest of the migrant workers. She shares her strong beliefs with Janie as she tells her that "Ah can't stand black niggers . . . . Ah hates tuh see folks lak me and you mixed up wid 'em." Ironically, though, Mrs. Turner's livelihood depends on the support of the black migrant workers. The barrage of racist comments made by Mrs. Turner bewilders Janie. She also realizes that there is nothing that she can do to discourage Mrs. Turner from thinking the way that she does.
Hurston uses the image of an altar to relate Mrs. Turner's hatred for anyone who is not Caucasian. This altar represents the "unattainable — Caucasian characteristics for all." Mrs. Turner's beliefs are so strong that she would defend them at "the altars of her god." Through "worship," she hopes to "attain her paradise — a heaven of straight-haired, thin-lipped, high nose boned white seraphs." Hurston uses Mrs. Turner as an example of intolerance in the novel.
