In "The Gilded Six Bits," Missie's fall from grace and Joe's eventual forgiveness of her sin (sleeping with Slemmons) adds complex layers to the story. Hurston takes special care not to judge Missie or blame Joe and it's a delicate balance all the while—we never know for sure what's going to happen. As a matter of fact, we'd like to tip our hats to Hurston for her subtlety, for shying away from those predictable Hollywood-esque stories where we know everything's going to be all right from the get go. C'mon, what's the fun in that?
Questions About Repentance/Forgiveness
- Do you believe Missie deserves forgiveness by Joe? Why or why not?
- Is Missie really sorry for cheating on Joe? How can you tell? Point out details from the story.
- Does Missie's infidelity bring the couple closer together in the end? Or is it her repenting?
- If you were in Joe's position, would you be able to trust Missie again? Why do you think he decides to forgive her?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Missie does not realize how much she loves Joe until she is with Slemmons.
If it wasn't for Missie being pregnant, Joe never would have forgiven her.