The departure of the Seminoles from the muck foreshadows the arrival of the destructive hurricane. The migrant workers on the muck believe the Indians are wrong about the imminent storm, as fair weather continues, the beans are growing well, and prices are still fair. After the exit of the Seminoles, even the animals also head east, seemingly aware of the approaching hurricane. Still, though, Tea Cake, Janie, and most of the other migrant workers remain in the muck, unprepared for the threatening storm. "Money's too good on the muck" for Tea Cake to leave. Soon, these people will experience the destruction and terror associated with enduring a hurricane.
Hurston personifies the sea by comparing it to a monster that "began to roll in his bed." As the sea breaks through the dikes, Hurston reveals that "the monstropolous beast had left his bed" and continues on the path of destruction as the monster "was walking the earth with a heavy heel."
For the first time, Hurston uses the phrase that she also uses as the title for the novel. As Tea Cake, Janie and their friends try to wait out the storm at home, they wonder if God "meant to measure their puny might against His." The lights go out, the storm rages, and Tea Cake, Janie, and their friends "seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God." They realize that in the midst of such a powerful and destructive hurricane, they have no power to stop the storm. They must wait for it to end and hope that they will survive it.
