"Folkses, de sun is goin' down... All we can do, if we want any light after the settin' or befo' de risin', is tuh make some light ourselves" (45). In this paragraph Hurston mentions multiple times the setting and rising of the sun on the horizon. The setting and rising of the sun on the horizon also occurs countless times throughout the novel, therefore it is a motif. Hurston uses this motif in this paragraph to represent opportunity for Janie. Up to this point in the novel the real, natural sun has represented opportunity; but now there is somewhat of an artificial sun, the street lamp. The street lamp was purchased by Joe for the town. It is almost as if Hurston is trying to tell us that Joe is opening doors of opportunity for Janie, she could ride along with Joe and continue to gain power or wealth if those were things that she desired.
"De first street lamp in uh colored town" (45). This paragraph shows us some of the differences between whites and blacks, for example the whites have street lamps and the blacks do not. The street lamp that the blacks have is a symbol of them closing the gap of differences between the whites and blacks.
"And when Ah touch de match tuh dat lamp-wick let de light penetrate inside of yuh, and let it shine, let it shine, let it shine” (45). Hurston repeats the phrase "let it shine" for emphasis. In the paragraph it is almost as if Joe's speech is not a mayoral speech at all, but instead a sermon. He reminds me of a preacher telling his congregation to let Jesus shine in your life. Hurston makes many religious references throughout the novel, however in this case she uses repetition to make Joe seem more powerful. In his speech, Joe is setting himself apart from the regular townspeople, and using repetition on a reference to God, is a great way for Joe to do that.
The mood of this passage is excited. The townspeople are excited that they have something that is not only practical, but they also have something that no other black man has, something that only the whites have. To an all-black audience, closing a racial gap would be very exciting.
Hurston's tone is this passage is serious and intimate. In the passage she is trying to convey many important symbols. The best way for Hurston to make sure that the reader catches those symbols is to have a serious and intimate tone with the reader.
The purpose of this passage is to simply show that Janie has an opportunity. She can choose to indulge into Joe's lifestyle of wealth and power or she can continue to be the Janie that her grandmother raised. Hurston used this passage to convey to the reader that Janie has a choice to make.
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