Straightforward, Descriptive
With Hurston, writing style is all about mixing and matching. What do we mean by that? Well, in "The Gilded Six-Bits" there are two different voices. One of the voices is that of the narrator, who tends to be clear, concise and oftentimes poetic:
But there was something happy about the place. The front yard was parted in the middle by a sidewalk from gate to doorstep, a sidewalk edged on either side by quart bottles driven neck down into the ground on a slant. (2)
Colloquial, Lyrical
And the other voice? You could say it's a voice made up of all the characters—Joe, Missie, Slemmons, Joe's mom—and they talk like real people. Hurston goes even further with her dialogue, staying true to the way African Americans speak. Slang is often used, as well as creative, non-dictionary approved spelling. A great example? Missie's compliment for Joe:
"Ah's satisfied wid you jes' lak you is, baby. God took pattern after a pine tree and built you noble. Youse a pritty man, and if Ah knowed any way to make you mo' pritty still Ah'd take and do it." (42)
Our spellcheck is freaking out right now.