Answer to the question: The significance of the narrator's eloquence as opposed to the character's speech reveals a division between "both modernity and of the black American..." voice. Within the novel, there is distinction between the dialects of whites and blacks. For example, in the the conversation between Dr. Simmons and Janie about Tea Cakes condition this difference is eminent. Dr. Simmons was informing Janie that "Bout de only thing you can do, Janie, is to put him int he Country Hospital where they can tie him down and look after him" (177), Janie responded with "He'd think Ah wuz tire uh doin' fuh 'im." (177). The dialect of a white educated male is much more similar to the narration style then Janie's own richer and less conventional dialect. This helps to develop a sense of unity within a novel. The author is a person who describes herself a person who comments more on humanity then on race. Her choice of creating a distinction helps to emphasize the unique differences between each race; however, by integrating the two throughout the novel in a seamless way, she also presents this sense of unity.