and Janies relationships with Robert Leburn and Vergible Tea Cake Woods, respectively, the roles of dominance are shared. Robert and Tea Cake are an alternative definition of manhood, one that does not rely on external manifestations of power, money, and position (Wall. 388). These new lovers are the antithesis of their previous perceptions of men. From the beginning of Edna and Roberts relationship, he lived in her shadow (Chopin 20). Ready to obey her commands, Robert demurs to Ednas requests. She directs him towards her needs and tells him when to come; go; stand up; sit down; do this; do that; so that he knows she has control (Chopin 21). He holds some control too though, over her mind. Her mind becomes blocked under the spell of her infatuation. [. . .] it was his being, his existence which dominated her thought, fading sometimes as if it would melt into the mist of the forgotten, reviving again with an intensity which filled her with an incomprehensible longing (Chopin 90). Although Robert accepts her as an equal, Edna feels some submissiveness due to her obsession for him. She knows she will do anything to be in his arms. Infatuation also absorbs Janies mind as she encounters Tea Cake, a man who confirms Janies right to self-expression and invites her to share equally in their adventures (Wall 388). Janie is no longer restricted because of her sex. Kubischek explains that their relationship rejects ordinary conceptions of dominant and subordinate sex roles. Tea Cake is Janies companion on her quest, not her master or mentor (25). No one delegates responsibilities to the other because they look upon each other as a partner for life, which was Janies initial view of marriage. Unlike in her last relationships, chores are not designated by sex, but shared. It is evident that the adjustment involves more than Janies expansion into previously male roles: Just as she works beside Tea Cake in the fields, he helps prepare...
