Tea Cake is Janie's love, peace, and best friend. When he was introduced in the novel, I saw that he is a fun, loving person and would be perfect for Janie. As he played his "box", guitar, his music symbolized beauty. Tea Cake was a man who could and would do anything to make himself and Janie happy. His genuine kindness and intelligence made him successful. After Janie leaves Eatonville with Tea Cake, they travel to the Everglades to build their lives. They work together, live together, and love together. When a great hurricane arrives, they must literally run for their lives. They return to their home after the storm only to discover that Tea Cake has been bitten by a rabid dog whi