The Gilded Six-Bits Summary

Hurston’s “The Gilded Six-Bits” is a story about the changing relationship of Missie May and Joe Banks after their morals and values are tested with material items. A clear message in “The Gilded Six-Bits” is one that contradicted the beliefs of the American society during this time period, the idea that money or the urban life would bring happiness to the American household. Early in the story, Missie May and Joe Banks are a happy couple. They live an average and modest lifestyle, but are content with what they have because their relationship is what mattered most to them. However, the arrival of a character that represents a materialistic way of life turns their marriage around because they began to want the wealth most people wanted. In “The Gilded Six-Bits”, Missie May’s character is a character that is loving, innocent, and vulnerable, and she provides an excellent example and connection to the themes in Hurston’s story of marriage, love and betrayal. Marriage is one of the themes in Hurston’s

When first introduced to Otis D. Slemmons, Missie May is unimpressed with him, saying she prefers the life she and Joe live, and that she is “satisfied wid you jes’ lak you is” (Hurston). The introduction of gold to Missie May influenced her to want material things, bringing her into the deal she and Slemmons made. While in Chicago, Slemmons eradicated all his Southern beliefs in exchange for the “wealthy” class and society, and these ideas intrigued Joe. The arrival of Otis D. Slemmons turns the Banks’ marriage around and Slemmons’ status convinces Missie May to betray her husband. Slemmons arrives to Eatonville and “flaunts pretentious wealth” and “Missie May eventually is charmed by Otis’s apparent wealth” (Champion). It is because they allowed Slemmons’ corrupt views of life into their own life and marriage that their innocent lives became