Analysis Of Gilded Six Bits By Zora Hurston

Perceptions are far from the truth found set forth in actual reality. Sometimes individuals are forced to look beyond stereotypes set forth by society, even if it has been years since they have been stirred up. While reading “Gilded Six Bits” by Zora Hurston, I couldn’t help but think of the drastic change in writing the story took on from a realist point of view to a modernist style of writing.
Revolving around a young and recently married couple, Hurston develops an entertaining short story that explores the idea of a perfect marriage that is forced to cope with betrayal and the process of forgiveness. Newlyweds Joe and Missie May Banks frolic in their newfound marital bliss. They could not be happier with each other and Missie proudly plays trophy wife when Joe takes her out to the ice cream parlor. Unfortunately, the story takes a turn when Slemmons starts chasing after her, promising money in exchange for sex. One night, after getting off work early, Joe discovers his wife in bed with Slemmons and their marriage turns bitter. Joe becomes cold and distant until he realizes Missie is pregnant.

Marriage is supposed to be about commitment, honor, and passion.

These standards are turned upside down in "The Gilded Six-Bits.” At first, Missie and Joe seem to have it all. The couple has a house, good food, and even a playful way of interacting with one another that seems to form rituals within their relationship. Yet, Missie's idea of being a good wife is making her husband happy and she truly believes what he desires is money. Her ignorance tests their marriage, and Hurston forces readers like me to question how one must handle both the ups and downs in a marriage. When a problem arises, do you forgive and grow, or do you give up everything that you had worked so hard to

build?
With this idea, I couldn’t help but notice the drastic transition. To me, Hurston wraps her story around a plot involving marriage to highlight the idea of feminism. The surprising concept Hurston includes in this story is the fact that the women seem to be in charge of the relationship. Despite the reasons behind her motivation the become involved with another man, this story highlights a woman cheating on a man rather than the other way around. Realists would have never incorporated something like this into their writing. Hurston, however, clearly demonstrates modernist beliefs. From this story, I took away the same idea the Ernest Hemingway portrays in his novel The Sun Also Rises. Both represent that women, as well as men, and sexual relations have the power to destroy even the most sacred things, like marriage. Modernists such as Hemingway and Hurston expanded upon the idea that women were incapable of being anyone other than what their husband or society declared them to be.
Lastly, I was intrigued by how Hurston approaches and embraces the theme of forgiveness. It makes me wonder what I would do in the same situation? Would I be able to see beyond what she had done to realize that her motivations were to benefit me because I had wanted to start a family or would I be too overwhelmed by hate? Ironically, Missie May and Joe already possess a treasure far more valuable than gold: their love for each other. Yet, Missie May nearly loses this love in return for the promise of a gold coin from Otis Slemmons. Hurston’s style of writing is significant and humerus in many ways when it is truly analyzed.
Overall, I can say this was not my most favorite story that we have read in class, I did enjoy being able to see the transition between the realists and modernist. It was very evident in this story and I also found myself easily making connections between it and the novel we are currently reading.