The Gilded Six Bits Character Analysis

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Characterization of “The Gilded Six-Bits” One may be willing to do just about anything in order to keep a loved one happy regardless of the implications; this is a valuable lesson taught through the short story “The Gilded Six-Bits” by Zora Neale Hurston. Hurston used characterization throughout her story in order to display the deeper meanings behind her characters’ actions. The reader is introduced to three separate characters in the story; a young black woman, Missie May, her husband, Joe, and her lover, Otis D. Slemmons. The dynamics between these characters reveal a deeper truth behind the intentions of Missie May within her affair. The characterization of Missie May, Joe, and Otis Slemmons plays a significant role within this story as well as the dynamics of power between each of the characters. Missie May is described as a young African American woman; she is married to Joe with whom she is deeply in love. Hurston starts the story with a young, likeable female character and later within the story tears down her credibility and makes her an unappealing character. Missie May is mistaken as a bad …show more content…

In Missie May and Joe’s relationship they start at an even playing field. After the cheating, Joe has an upper hand in the marriage and it is clear that Missie May will do whatever is needed to keep Joe. Missie May never has power over Joe leading to even more proof of her being a weak character. The power concerning Otis Slemmons and Joe starts with Joe feeling as if he is beneath him. Joe sees wealth and strength within Slemmons that he knows he would never be able to acquire. After the cheating scandal, Joe proves a dominance by hitting Slemmons and getting him out of town. When it comes to Slemmons and Missie May, Slemmons gets the upper hand by seeing weakness in her and using it to cause strife in her marriage. Missie May again never gets a rise in power; she is predominantly below the male

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