The Gilded Six-Bits is a study guide and short story.
One of the pre-eminent writers of 20th-century African-American literature is considered to have written "The Gilded Six-Bits" in 1933.When this short story was published, Hurston was a relative newcomer to the literary scene, but eventually had success with her novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God.One of her best stories, "The Gilded Six-Bits", has just been published in a collection of short stories called Spunk.The story "The Gilded Six-Bits" is full of love, betrayal, and forgiveness.It depicts the life of two happy newlyweds who both test their relationship and their love for one another when a charismatic outsider comes into their community.The common African-American lifestyle is represented by regional dialect and metaphors in the story, which is set in her native town of Eatonville, FL, where it reflects the traditions of the community.The meaning of a true marriage and the truth that lies underneath it are depicted in "The Gilded Six-Bits".
The description of a house, surrounded by a Negro yard, is included in "The Gilded Six-Bits".There was something positive about that place.When Missie May waits for her husband, Joe, who is returning from work on a pay day, he tosses silver dollars through the front door so she can pick them up.She pretends to be mad that he is throwing money at her, and playfully chases him, then goes through his pockets to find a gift for her.
Joe told Missie May that he was going to take her out to a new ice cream parlor that was opened by a rich black man from Chicago.Many people in the community think that Slemmons is a wealthy black man."Aw, he don't look no better in his clothes than you do in yourn", said Missie May as Joe discussed Mr. Slemmons' fine clothes, all the while suggesting that he might be lying about his wealth and success.There is no other man that can be better or look better than Joe.Joe decided to take Missie May to the ice cream parlor so he could show his beautiful wife off in hopes of meeting Mr. Slemmons.
At the ice cream parlor, Missie May shows some interest in the man's wealth, even though she is not impressed by him.Joe told Missie May that he would rather be broke as long as he has her.They visit the ice cream parlor every week.The test of love is finally revealed when Joe gets off work early.Joe found Missie May and Slemmons in the bed.Missie May tells Joe that the only reason she slept with him was to get money.After he leaves, Joe shows no signs of anger.After the day is over, Joe asks Missie May why she is not eating breakfast.Missie May cannot understand why Joe doesn't leave her, but he continues to torture her by carrying around the golden coin that symbolizes the affair.
The couple slowly drift away until Joe comes home and complains of some pains.He asked Missie May to give him a massage and they ended up sleeping together for the first time in a long time.When Joe wakes up that morning, he leaves behind a coin that he paid for her services.Missie May realized that the coin was a gilded half dollar when she looked at it.She realized that Slemmons was not a rich man after all.Missie May felt embarrassed and ashamed by throwing all of her happiness away for something that seemed too good to be true.
A few weeks after this event, Missie May finds out that she is pregnant and Joe is not concerned.The baby is born at the end of the story, and after some convincing by his mother, Joe accepts the baby as his own.Joe took the gilded coin to the candy shop to buy some chocolates for his wife.When he returns home, he continues the tradition of tossing silver half dollars to Missie May to symbolize the happiness that is again within the house, and for the first time in a while, they are finally a happy couple again.[2]