Symbols in“the Gilded Six Bits” Zora Neale Hurston
Coins, quilts and a creek, what could these three things possibly have in common? They are all symbols of love, freedom, family and legacy. In “The Gilded Six Bits” by Zora Neale Hurston the coins represent Joe and Missie Mae’s relationship. In “Women Hollering Creek” by Sandra Cisneros the creek represents a bridge to the past and the future for Cleofilas. In “Use” by Alice Walker the quilts represent family legacy and what happens when families disagree about that legacy.
In “The Six Gilded Bits” we meet Joe and Misse Mae, newlyweds. They are young, in love and exceptionally happy with their life. They have lived a modest life in a small house “but there was something happy about it”. (Hurston 1) We meet Misse Mae first as she is preparing the house and herself for Joe to come home from work. “Who dat chunkin money in mah do’way?” (Hurston 1) Joe and Misse Mae have a ritual. Every week Joe comes home with his paycheck and he throws it in the doorway so that Missie can pile it up on the table while they have their dinner. It is a game for them, to save money for the children they hope to have soon. . At first the coins are fun and loving. ¬¬ It isn’t long before coins take on a very different meaning. There is a new man in town Otis D. Slemmons. He owns the ice cream parlor and he tells great stories of his wealth. Joe is quite taken by him and wants to bring Missie Mae to the ice cream parlor to show her off. Joe tells her to “Go’head on now, honey, and put on yo’ clothes. He talkin’ ‘bout his pritty omens – Ah want ‘im to see mine.” Joe knows he can’t compare to Mr. Otis Slemmons but as far as Joe is concerned no-body can compete with his Missy Mae. Joe is very impressed with Slemmons; he goes on and on about how important he is. He also wishes he could be more like Slemmons, a rich man, and important man. Repeating the stories Slemmons has told him about the life he lives. Missie Mae is a bit less enchanted. She doesn’t see the attraction and the pull
In “The Six Gilded Bits” we meet Joe and Misse Mae, newlyweds. They are young, in love and exceptionally happy with their life. They have lived a modest life in a small house “but there was something happy about it”. (Hurston 1) We meet Misse Mae first as she is preparing the house and herself for Joe to come home from work. “Who dat chunkin money in mah do’way?” (Hurston 1) Joe and Misse Mae have a ritual. Every week Joe comes home with his paycheck and he throws it in the doorway so that Missie can pile it up on the table while they have their dinner. It is a game for them, to save money for the children they hope to have soon. . At first the coins are fun and loving. ¬¬ It isn’t long before coins take on a very different meaning. There is a new man in town Otis D. Slemmons. He owns the ice cream parlor and he tells great stories of his wealth. Joe is quite taken by him and wants to bring Missie Mae to the ice cream parlor to show her off. Joe tells her to “Go’head on now, honey, and put on yo’ clothes. He talkin’ ‘bout his pritty omens – Ah want ‘im to see mine.” Joe knows he can’t compare to Mr. Otis Slemmons but as far as Joe is concerned no-body can compete with his Missy Mae. Joe is very impressed with Slemmons; he goes on and on about how important he is. He also wishes he could be more like Slemmons, a rich man, and important man. Repeating the stories Slemmons has told him about the life he lives. Missie Mae is a bit less enchanted. She doesn’t see the attraction and the pull