Analysis Of The Gilded Six-Bits By Zora Neale Hurstons

1374 Words6 Pages

In Zora Neale Hurston’s short story “The Gilded Six-Bits”, many different aspects can be justified and analyzed. One of the things I found most interesting was that Zora Neale Hurston attempted to objectify many of the characters. Objectifying means to treat someone, a physical being, as an object rather than a human. Zora Neale’s short story “The Gilded Six-Bits” is a great example of displaying female subjectivity in African American women’s narratives.
Otis D. Slemmons, is one of the main characters who plays a very crucial role in the development on this story. Mister Slemmons perceived that the value of money is very important when it comes to the turning point in this story. Mister Slemmons acquired wealth and materialistic possessions gain him a lot of attention. He, his own self allows people such as women, to treat him differently. Mister Slemmons is treated more as an object than a physical human being in which he doesn’t seem to mind. Joe, another character in the book, is absolutely fascinated by Mister Slemmons. As soon as he hears of his presence, Joe can’t say enough about him to Missie May. Missie May, Joes wife, eventually reaches a point of exhaustion with Joe going on and on about Mister Slemmons. “‘A new man done come …show more content…

Also, one important message implied is that not everything you see or hear about a person is always true. Many people may act differently just to impress others and play a particular part while deep down they feel the total opposite. Just because someone may be walking around with a smile doesn’t actually mean their life is actually picture perfect; everyone has their own inner conflicts. This is a mistake often made by those who think the “grass is greener on the other side,” and to those people who don’t really realize what they have until that one thing is

Open Document