The Gilded Six-Bits: Themes

Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.

The Deceptiveness of Appearances

The title of the story immediately suggests that appearances can be deceptive, as a gilded bit is a coin plated in gold while its core is made from metal of lesser value. The title, along with Missie May’s initial skepticism of Joe’s stories of Slemmons’s purported wealth and charisma, create dramatic irony: while Missie May and Joe are both seduced by Slemmons’s façade, it is clear to the reader he is a scam artist. The revelation that Slemmons’s gold pieces are merely gilded comes only after Missie May has fallen for Slemmons’s ruse and damaged her relationship with Joe.

Similarly, Missie May and Joe’s marriage at the outset of the story is an example of the deceptiveness of appearances. The play-fighting and good-natured banter that characterizes their relationship is almost theatrical and suggests their idyllic life is not all that it seems to be. Missie May’s infidelity reveals the cracks in their bond. After her betrayal, moments that seemed innocuous earlier in the narrative suddenly reveal disconnect and dissatisfaction in their marriage. Missie May’s insistence that she is a real wife, her playful irritation when Joe tells her what to wear to the ice cream parlor, and her fantasy of finding hidden gold all suggest she feels trapped by her financial and marital circumstances. For his part, Joe is oblivious to his wife’s discontent and treats her like a prize to be displayed and a mule to bear children rather than seeing her as a full individual. Near the end of the story, Joe’s interaction with the shopkeeper in Orlando is another example of the deceptiveness of appearances. The shopkeeper is too deeply racist to believe a Black man can feel pain, and so he readily believes Joe’s fantastical story of besting Slemmons.

The Nature of Greed

Greed is the driving motivation behind Slemmons’s, Missie May’s, and even Joe’s actions. Slemmons’s gilded coin scam is the most overt example of greed in the story. Slemmons is a cartoonish villain whose preoccupation with wealth and status are illustrated by his puzzlegut, or pot belly, gold teeth and coins, and preposterous stories of romantic prowess. Slemmons’s behavior is a paradigm for how most people perceive the moral failings of greed since it is his greed that motivates him to scam his way into wealth and women’s bedrooms.

However, it is Missie May and Joe who reveal the true infectious and insidious nature of greed. Just being in proximity to Slemmons’s perceived wealth causes Joe to fantasize about how he could emulate the man. He is so preoccupied with comparing himself to Slemmons that he aims to outdo Slemmons by parading Missie May’s beauty in front of him. Similarly, while Missie May initially finds Slemmons to be ridiculous, once she sees his alleged gold in person, she becomes obsessed with the idea of finding gold herself. Missie May’s impractical fantasy of finding hidden treasure illustrates how greed has taken over her mind and senses. Missie May’s infidelity is purely motivated by greed, and this moral failing nearly destroys her marriage.

The Power of Love

Joe’s decision to forgive Missie May for her infidelity is a compelling statement about the power of love. Joe does not immediately leave Missie May in the wake of her infidelity, nor does he treat her with anger, illustrating a restraint born out of his love for her. Missie May’s puzzlement as to why Joe stays with her parallels the story’s overarching question about whether love is powerful enough to lead to forgiveness. In the aftermath of the infidelity, Joe’s actions answer that question as he becomes contemplative and withdrawn while he quietly processes what has occurred in his marriage.

The gilded half-dollar Joe takes from Slemmons remains as a constant symbol of Missie May’s infidelity throughout this period of contemplation. The coin serves to remind the couple of the consequences of superficiality. When Missie May falls pregnant, Joe’s love and care for her only increases even though the child’s parentage is questionable. The end of the story comes full circle when Joe exchanges the coin for the candy Missie May loves, firmly indicating he has decided to forgive her. While many would find Missie May’s actions unforgiveable, Joe’s love for his wife motivates him to heal and rebuild his marriage.

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