Theme Of Sweat And The Gilded Six Bits

In the two stories “Sweat” and “Gilded Six Bits” by Zora Neal Hurston, it reflects back on the time during the Harlem Renaissance. The two stories had their differences, but they also had their similarities. These stories reflect on sex, money, adultery, deception, and power, and how they were all key triggers to the two couples’ unhealthy relationship. In these two interesting stories, it shows how karma can come back and haunt an individual. As the old saying goes “You reap what you sew,” it allows readers to realize how important it is to treat people how you want to be treated. In “Sweat” and “The Gilded Six Bits,” it shows how one careless decision can ruin a relationship that could have lasted a life- time. The relationship between money …show more content…
Delia allowed money dictate her life seeing that she allowed her job cause conflict in her marriage. Her job also made her life difficult in the result of her being overworked with washing, folding, and ironing the white man clothes. She would be so overworked that she would have to collect the solid clothes on Saturdays when she returned the clean things to catch up on work (Page 1). Also, on Sundays she would sort and soak white clothes so they would be prepared for the upcoming week of work (Page 1). Delia money caused conflict in her marriage considering she was the one that made sure that everything was taken care of including the house and the bills. This gesture upset her husband, which cause her husband to become abusive and rude. In “The Gilded Six-Bits” money dictated Missy May. She allowed money to control her decision to commit adultery. She allowed her want for money ruin her marriage and trust. Missy May mad her life difficult all because Mr. Slemmons wanted her for his self (Page 731). Lastly, Missy May allowed money and fancy clothes led her in the path of …show more content…
In “Sweat” Delia was the primary breadwinner of her family, even though her husband worked also (Page 2). She made it possible for her and her husband to eat and have a roof over their head (Page 2). During the time period that the story was in, it was not common for women to be the primary breadwinner, but for the husband to be the primary breadwinner. Their roles had to be reversed because her husband abused his finances instead of taking care of the family. As the husband, he traditionally should have power, but since the wife made sure everything was properly handled, he felt as though he was losing his power which causes him to be abusive to his wife. This made him feel as though he had some type of power in his household. In “The Gilded Six-Bits” the roles of the family was properly aligned. Missy May husband, Joe, was the breadwinner for his family. He worked to ensure that everything in is house was in order. Although he worked and made sure his family was taken care of, his wife deceived him by cheating with another man. He felt as if he was not appreciated and this made him turn cold and