The Gilded Six Bits By Zora Neale Hurston

American Literature has certainly changed over the years, but women will always be a key element to literature. As a woman’s role in society changed, so did the way they were discussed in American Literature. In the beginning women were controlled, as well as not treated equally. With events, such as Women’s suffrage, equal rights were made possible. Although there were many constants that showed up throughout American Literature, the subject of women struck me as a very important topic. One element that is present throughout literary works over the decades, is women. However, the way women are thought of, represented, and act change over the time periods. Kate Chopan is an American Literature Author who produced works from 1890 until she

Not only was she a female writer, but she was also an African American female writer. When she is writing The Gilded Six Bits, not only was the fight for civil rights taking place, but also a movement towards a change in gender roles. She is credited with producing a novel that discusses a woman’s quest for selfhood. Hurston supported the independence of women. Although the narrator in her story began by fulfilling the typical gender role of a house wife, towards the end that role changes. Her husband begins to only come home only at least every ten days (Hurston 930). Therefore, the narrator must learn how to fulfill her womanly duties, as well as the male duties of her husband. “he found Missie May chopping wood. Without a word, he took the ax and chopped a huge pile before he stopped” (Hurston 930.) Joe then says, “You aint got no business choppin’ wood and you know it” and she replies with “How come? Ah been choppin’ it for de last longest” (Hurston 930). Hurston exemplifies feminism in these quotes, by making the reader aware that she was able to complete masculine tasks too. By attempting to address a change in gender roles Hurston helped to also make women more