Joey says, "I don’t get over things." Is this why he's so suited to farming? Does he eventually learn to get over things?

Joey is distraught to learn of Jake's death on page 229. Later, on page 373, he tells Lois, "I don’t get over things." Is this why he's so suited to farming? And does he, eventually, learn to get over things?

Joey is not as smart or as handsomely attractive as Frankie, but he has many other qualities that make him uniquely suited to farming. He loves animals; he is good with his hands; he is innovative when it comes to farming. But he has had to live in the shadow of his more aggressive and talented brother and has "taken his lumps" because of it. When he and Lois finally get together, I think he has finally reached the maturity to let things go.

An interesting question..I read that as his inability to forgot what Frank did to him during his upbringing or the treatment of Jake when he was younger. As a farmer, he could sublimate the anger by the plodding work of farming. His stress was relieved by keeping to the order of things.He was a fearful child and there is a rhythm to farming that brings him comfort. I may be way off base here...just pondering..

Goodness, reading both of your thoughts, especially Mainelinebooker, is exciting and enlightening for me. I love the character of Joey - perhaps most of all - at least at this point. While not a member of the farming community myself, I identify with this aspect of his personality and didn't see it as sublimating in any way but more as a tool for learning. I saw his growth as a farmer and land owner more as a result of looking at what he knows and remembers and using it to make things - all things about himself even - as well as crops and land, grow and prosper. I see this as more positive than negative but you have made me think of this is new light. I wonder now if I will continue to find him so endearing as I now do.

I thought I had the answer until I read the posted remarks and now I'll just add mine.

Maybe, like his love for Minnie, he doesn't get over disappointments but makes the best of them. I think that would be an asset to a farmer whose livelihood depends on the whims of weather. I live in an area of subsistance farming and I'm always surprised at the tenacity and optimism of these hard working farmers. Like Joey they don't get over things but go on.

I had read that comment about not getting over things as relating to his feelings for Minnie. At least he's honest with himself and with Lois. The fact that he doesn't get over things I would think would get in the way of some of the things that need to happen on a farm. He allowed himself to get emotionally attached to the animals. (I did love the names he came up with.) But his farm was more about crops than about livestock, wasn't it?

I really don't see how not getting over things makes someone suited to farming. I think it shows he is a sensitive man and has a hard time letting go of emotionally painful experiences. He connects with animals as they show him unconditional love. He has had to have live in the shadow of Frank his whole life and eventually becomes comfortable in being Joey-a strong, grounded and lovable man. I liked the way his character developed though the story.