Six Gilded Bits analysis
The Gilded Six Bits by Zora Neale Hurston
Background
Published in 1933, during the great depression
Hurston was married and divorced twice before this story was published
Negro settlement in Eatonville, Orange County Florida, one of the first all-black town where Hurston grew up
Plot
Missie May happily washes and prepares herself for the arrival of her husband, Joe Banks, who works night shifts at a fertilizer plant.
Joe’s arrival is announced by him tossing 9 silver coins at the door, as he usually does.
Missie, with mock anger, yells and chases Joe around the house until she finally catches up and the wrestle each other playfully. Joe gives her candy and has a shower. They both eat and go out for ice cream at a parlor owned by Otis D. Slemmons who, recently moves into town and appears to be wealthy.
Joe shares with Missie that he wishes that he too were rich like Slemmons but Missie says that money isn’t everything and they eventually agrees that they are happy with their life and marriage. One day, Joe gets home early only to find Missie in bed with Slemmons. Joe laughs but punches Slemmons who runs out of the house.
Missie cries and thinks Joe won’t lover her anymore but Joe comforts her. Even though they don’t play fight, they stay together because Joe needs her to take care of him. Instead of candy he brings home molasses.
Missie had sex with Slemmons to get some of his gold but Joe eventually reveals to her that the gold was actually a gilded quarter.
Missie gets pregnant but continues to do all the housework. Joe, one day, sees Missie chopping wood and stops her and takes over what she was doing.
Joe forgives Missie May and accepts the child because he knows that it’s his, not Slemmons.
Joe goes back to the candy store on his way back from work and buys candy for Missie and his son. The 15 silver coins at the door announced Joe’s arrival.
Narrative Elements
Biblical Allusions
Adam and Eve
May cries too much and Joe
Background
Published in 1933, during the great depression
Hurston was married and divorced twice before this story was published
Negro settlement in Eatonville, Orange County Florida, one of the first all-black town where Hurston grew up
Plot
Missie May happily washes and prepares herself for the arrival of her husband, Joe Banks, who works night shifts at a fertilizer plant.
Joe’s arrival is announced by him tossing 9 silver coins at the door, as he usually does.
Missie, with mock anger, yells and chases Joe around the house until she finally catches up and the wrestle each other playfully. Joe gives her candy and has a shower. They both eat and go out for ice cream at a parlor owned by Otis D. Slemmons who, recently moves into town and appears to be wealthy.
Joe shares with Missie that he wishes that he too were rich like Slemmons but Missie says that money isn’t everything and they eventually agrees that they are happy with their life and marriage. One day, Joe gets home early only to find Missie in bed with Slemmons. Joe laughs but punches Slemmons who runs out of the house.
Missie cries and thinks Joe won’t lover her anymore but Joe comforts her. Even though they don’t play fight, they stay together because Joe needs her to take care of him. Instead of candy he brings home molasses.
Missie had sex with Slemmons to get some of his gold but Joe eventually reveals to her that the gold was actually a gilded quarter.
Missie gets pregnant but continues to do all the housework. Joe, one day, sees Missie chopping wood and stops her and takes over what she was doing.
Joe forgives Missie May and accepts the child because he knows that it’s his, not Slemmons.
Joe goes back to the candy store on his way back from work and buys candy for Missie and his son. The 15 silver coins at the door announced Joe’s arrival.
Narrative Elements
Biblical Allusions
Adam and Eve
May cries too much and Joe