Final answer:
Janis's jealousy arises from her sense of inadequacy and yearning for the purity and beauty she perceives in others, which is contrasted with her own life. Jane Withersteen's jealousy is fueled by complex personal and social factors, reflecting deep insecurities and fears.
Step-by-step explanation:
Janis felt an intense jealousy because, despite all her deformities and the coarseness of her own life, she recognized in others the presence of something beautiful and pure that she desperately desired but felt she lacked. Her jealousy is a poignant reflection of human emotion and the universal desire for love and acceptance. In the case of the man Wolfe, even as he showed her kindness, she sensed a revulsion from him that exacerbated her feelings of self-loathing. This emotional turmoil is exacerbated by her recognition of the beauty and grace in a young Irish girl, which sharply contrasts her own situation, magnifying her jealousy to a painful degree.
Similarly, characters like Jane Withersteen experience jealousy due to the complex interplay of personal feelings, social dynamics, and interpersonal relationships. In her moment of anger, Jane's jealousy is not just a trivial emotion but an intense and overpowering force that surfaces from deep-rooted insecurities and fear of loss.
The multifaceted aspects of jealousy depicted through these characters highlight the depth of the emotion and its power to influence thoughts and actions. It is a central theme that drives the narrative, shaping the characters' interactions and their understanding of themselves and others.