supper (Kubischek 25). By partaking in a joint union, Janie is finally able to view herself as an equal and is no longer ashamed of being a woman. She, too, is succumbed with a self-crushing love for him; a love that causes her soul [to crawl] out from its hiding place to be free (Hurston 122). In these relationships, Edna and Janie trust emotion over intellect, value the spiritual over the material, preserve a sense of humor and are comfortable with their sensuality (Wall 388). Edna and Janie find a part of themselves in Robert and Tea Cake. They discover avenues towards emancipation and self-assessment. Despite the apparent success of their latest relationships, Edna and Janie are ultimately doomed by too much dependence on a love that does not last. Edna loses herself in her dreams about Robert, for dreams are the place, the only place, where romance can exist (Dyer 79). She continues to fantasize and reflects on tender memories when apart; the distance between her and Robert only makes her heart grow fonder. Dyer suggests, Edna has momentarily forgotten the lesson she learned at Madame Antoines: an awakening can not be brought about by another, but only by oneself (80). No matter how much desire she feels for Robert, only he can direct the course of his emotions. Dyer goes on to imply that the dream can no longer be so easily re-created; it can be recalled only in a sort of stupor. And the conclusion of the dream is cynicism, not hope and joy and exultation. Edna is coming to know, of course, that romance can only be dreamed, not lived (81). In spite of the truth, Edna goes on to believe in her ideal man and romantic love. Romance only offers her temporary dependency, which is supported by the imagery of Edna and Robert leaning toward each other as the water oaks bent from the sea. There was not a particle of earth beneath their feet (Chopin 37). There is no stability or foundation in their relationship, which indir...
