Joe Starks is often seen as a villain because he controls Janie's life too much. He wants her to act a certain way and keeps her from expressing herself. In the town of Eatonville, he is a strong leader who makes changes and helps it grow. However, his ambition and power also lead to his loneliness and cruelty. Overall, Joe’s actions show that he can be both a hero for the town and a villain to Janie, making it hard to label him as just one.