Also in the passage is a section in which Janie realizes that she is special, too. Throughout her ancestors' lives in America, they were taught that they were not special; that they were dirty, lower-class, unworthy nothings, and Janie begins to think this way about herself, too. It is not until she begins to develop and leaves Nanny that she begins to realize that she is worth something; that she has something inside of herself that is special; something that shines. This shine is something Janie finds when she enters into her relationship with Tea Cake. Janie tried to show her shine with Joe, but he didn't allow it. It wasn't until her relationship with Tea Cake that Janie is given the freedom to show her shine. Once she did, Janie took her largest step towards her self-actualization. People started to appreciate her for who she was and not just the position she held.