Conflict tends to appear whenever the theme of superiority is introduced. When one person believes to be superior in a relationship, and expects the other person to be submissive, conflicting ideals and tension is brought about. The same is true for those who have a reputation of superiority; no one wants to feel inferior to another person, so if someone develops a reputation of being superior to others, a conflict arises. Zora Neale Hurston addresses this theme of superiority and its causes and effects in some of her works. “The Gilded Six-Bits”, “Sweat”, and “Spunk” all deal with the common theme of superiority. In these works, the effects superiority has on relationships, domestic affairs, and reputations ultimately leads to downfall. The
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For example, in the story “Spunk”, Joe Kanty pays the ultimate price for his pride: death. However, Joe is courageous, not arrogant. Hubris is what leads him to such an unfortunate fate. Spunk hurt his pride when he took Joe’s wife, and in an attempt to mend it, he faces death. All of the men in town try to warn Joe, telling him that “Spunk will sho’ kill him” (Hurston, “Spunk” 2), but instead of taking their advice, he blatantly follows Spunk to his death. Rather than taking careful consideration of the situation, he was blinded by his pride and acted out accordingly. Similarly, Delia does the same thing in “Sweat”. Her husband is abusive and uncaring, and after 15 years of marriage they hate each other. All he does is take her hard-earned money to spend on his mistress, a large woman by the name of Bertha, and he is just waiting for Delia to leave so he can have the house for both him and Bertha. Delia could have left Sykes a long time ago to find someone who would treat her the way she deserved and appreciate her hard work, but her pride got in the way of that. She was too proud to leave the house that she put her sweat, tears, and hard work into; instead, she stayed and endured the beatings of her unfaithful husband, all the while suffering from her
For example, in the story “Spunk”, Joe Kanty pays the ultimate price for his pride: death. However, Joe is courageous, not arrogant. Hubris is what leads him to such an unfortunate fate. Spunk hurt his pride when he took Joe’s wife, and in an attempt to mend it, he faces death. All of the men in town try to warn Joe, telling him that “Spunk will sho’ kill him” (Hurston, “Spunk” 2), but instead of taking their advice, he blatantly follows Spunk to his death. Rather than taking careful consideration of the situation, he was blinded by his pride and acted out accordingly. Similarly, Delia does the same thing in “Sweat”. Her husband is abusive and uncaring, and after 15 years of marriage they hate each other. All he does is take her hard-earned money to spend on his mistress, a large woman by the name of Bertha, and he is just waiting for Delia to leave so he can have the house for both him and Bertha. Delia could have left Sykes a long time ago to find someone who would treat her the way she deserved and appreciate her hard work, but her pride got in the way of that. She was too proud to leave the house that she put her sweat, tears, and hard work into; instead, she stayed and endured the beatings of her unfaithful husband, all the while suffering from her