Hurston highlights gender roles and inequalities as well, particularly through Joe's role as provider and through the implications of prostitution in regards to Missie May. Whereas, initially, the silver money served as an affectionate ritual for the two, and Joe would literally come bearing gifts with his pockets full of candy kisses, the gilded coin, on the other hand, is purely transactional. It is trade business instead of gift-giving. Instead of the playful and erotic roughhousing earlier in the text, the couple is subdued. The text informs us that “There were no more Saturday romps. No ringing silver dollars to stack beside her plate. No pockets to rifle” (Hurston 949). When their marital relations do resume Missie May feels cheapened
