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The experience of Dorcus in the novel, Jazz, is one of the most significant experiences in the novel. Toni Morrison makes it known within the first few pages of Dorcus’ fate, to be shot and killed by her lover, Joe. What makes this experience interesting is that it is told from an outsider’s perspective, which raises the question: who is the narrator? Questions aside, the story of Dorcus is told with a lot of inside knowledge about her affair with Joe. Dorcus is a young girl, only eighteen years of age that is struggling with life and self-esteem. As Morrison writes, “by the time Joe Trace whispered to her through the crack of a losing door, her life had become almost unbearable” (Morrison, 67). Dorcus was at a place of vulnerability in her life and desperately needed attention, which seemed to make her affair with Joe alright in her mind. Because Joe was already married, Dorcus was labeled the “other woman.”
Being labeled the “other woman” often comes with a negative attitude from others and especially in this neighborhood, where everyone knows everything about everyone. If Morrison hadn’t revealed the fate of Dorcus, she would not be a well-liked character in the novel because of her experience as a lover to a married man. But since we know that she dies, we obviously feel some sympathy for her, especially because she is so young and naive. Even though her relationship with Joe was kept fairly secret, she did decide to end her affair with Joe. Dorcus is still young and looking for fun. She choses to have a new relationship with Acton and is “happier than she has ever been anytime” (Morrison, 189). Even though she is happy, she knows Joe is coming for her. Dorcus says many times, “he is coming for me,” which shows that she is scared of what Joe might do to her when he eventually finds her (Morrison, 190).
During the 1920s, being labeled the “other woman” would have much more harsh criticisms than it would today. Even though being unfaithful is still looked down upon, it probably affected relationships more back then because divorce was not as common and acceptable. Spouses often had to deal with mistresses and act as though nothing was wrong. Also, adultery was probably not as easily found out because there weren’t as many means of communication. Spouses couldn’t look through text messages or emails, like many do today to monitor faithfulness. It is still common for the “other woman” to receive the blame as Dorcus does from Violet. Violet still stays married to Joe but holds a grudge against Dorcus even after she dies. The experience Dorcus goes through in Jazz, is detached, yet she still has an inner struggle. The fact is, Dorcus would have had a relationship with anyone just because she was so depressed and desperate for love. Joe Trace just happened to be that someone that fell in love with her. Dorcus could not possibly be expected to stay with Joe when other opportunities arose.
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