Society's view is that every woman should be married, and that if one is not married, then she is neither a good nor a virtuous woman. The status of an older, single woman is not accepted by society. Southern women are viewed in the light that a beautiful woman is a good woman, and, therefore, an unmarried woman is neither beautiful nor good. Janie is certainly beautiful, and those who know Janie know that she is definately a good woman, and offer Janie their hand in marriage so as to protect Janie's reputation as a good woman.