Death, that strange being with the huge square toes who lived way in the West. The great one who lived in the straight house like a platform without sides to it, and without a roof. What need has Death for a cover, and what winds can blow against him? He stands in his high house that overlooks the world. Stands watchful and motionless all day with his sword drawn back, waiting for the messenger to bid him come. Been standing there before there was a where or a when or a then. She was liable to find a feather from his wings lying in her yard any day now. She was sad and afraid too. Poor Jody! He ought not to have to wrassle in there by himself. She sent Sam in to suggest a visit, but Jody said No. These medical doctors wuz all right with the Godly sick, but they didn't know a thing about a case like his. He'd be all right just as soon as the two-headed man found what had been buried against him. He wasn't going to die at all. That was what he thought. But Sam told her different, so she knew. And then if he hadn't, the next morning she was bound to know, for people began to gather in the big yard under the palm and china-berry trees. People who would not have dared to foot the place before crept in and did not come to the house. Just squatted under the trees and waited. Rumor, the wingless bird, had shadowed over the town. (p.84)
- The contrast between the use of more eloquent/academic and spiritual language while talking about death with small portions of Janie's dialect in the middle of the passage while she talks about Jody creates a feeling of distinction between life and death and emphasizes the transition between the two.
- Hurston capitalizes the word "Death" which implies that it is a name. This personifies Death, making it feel as though it is a person rather than an event. The capitalization of the word also gives a greater feeling of importance and weight to death.
- Hurston emphasizes how "Death" is different and strange. ("strange being with the huge square toes") This brings into focus the unknown quality that death has. People know of it but it is still strange mysterious to them.
- The motif of power and control reappears in this passage. Death is personified as being powerful, "what winds can blow against him" as well as above normal humans "his high house that overlooks the world"/description of having wings would mean death is above the earth on which humans exist. This gives death a feeling of control over all people, even Jody who had more power than anyone in Eatonville, and reaffirms the idea of structures of power that people live under.
- in the passage, Hurston does not use any direct dialogue in the present tense, instead she has it occur in the past. This gives a feeling of emotional detachment from what is happening to Jody.
- The motif of "Trees" is reused, although there is no direct comparison or description of the trees, the idea that people are like trees follows from early in life up into death.
- Hurston again uses ambiguous terms in her descriptions, she does not refer to people by name or make direct allusions to events, making the reader want more information and allows a more broad understanding and application of what she says.
- Hurston repeats the idea of those who are under the control or power of others coming out when that power begins to wane. It was seen in the first passage of the book with people coming out as the sun and "bossman" leave, and is seen here when "People who would not have dared to foot the place before crept in and did not come to the house." The appearance of those without power can be seen to show people's desire for control, especially when they have none.
- Personification of the word "Rumor" through the use of capitalization. This gives the impression that a rumor is more human, having ideas and control of its own. The comparison of it to a bird parallels in part the description of death, making a rumor seem above human control.
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