I agree that Joe Starks (a.k.a. Jody) works hard and takes initiative. He was the first character in the story that seemed perfect. I agree that the lamp was not just a lamp. The lamp that he installed was a symbol of hope and strength in the town. For someone who had come into town a while back, he was very productive, and that gave Janie a sense of security.
To me, lamp was also symbolic of the newly formed relationship between the community and their leader. Joe sent some men to find the finest piece of cypress post possible, which was one way that he exercised his leadership in the town. Even though Joe brought light to the town, I do not think he is a good guy.
I think that he did it so that in a way, the town will always remember how “great” he was. I also think that he wants the town to need him so that he can be the one to make things better. I came up with this reasoning because he bought the lamp with his own money so he was basically giving a piece of himself up for the town.
Also, the lighting of the lamp was almost ceremonious. I felt like to the town’s people, it was sort of a religious experience. I think this was because when he lit the lamp he told brother Davis to recite a prayer before the lighting that was about the beautiful light, and that Jesus was the light of their world.
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