Prompt: Consider of money and the presence or lack of it–wealth and poverty–on the shape of the story and on the lives of the characters and their personalities.
Money symbolizes status, social class, connections, and power in “The Gilded Six-Bits” story. Joe made Missie May believe that he values money more than love. When he finally realized what he wanted was Missie May, she was already cheating with another guy Slemmons because Slemmons offered her a gold coin. She still loves Joe, I believe she slept with Slemmons for money because she did regret her actions afterward. Missie May is attracted to gold/money, but she didn’t marry Joe for his noble appearance, and she also cherishes every playful moment they had together. She can be seen as the “real wife” of this story during this time. Joe’s ego and pride caused Missie May to betray him, but he eventually finds out that he wanted to love Missie May more than anything else in his life. After the adultery event, Joe taunted Missie May by placing the gilded coin under her pillow. This coin also symbolizes their potential loss of the marriage. The couple remained happy and thrived when they had enough money. Both of the characters’ desire to obtain more money/gold had eventually led to their loss and betrayal.
~ Neo
I agree with you that Missie May only slept with Slemmons for money. Because Slemmons offered her gold piece, Missie May used that opportunity to help gain some wealth for her family. I also agree with you that the coin symbolizes their loss of the marriage. Joe placed the coin under the pillow for Missie May to see so she can be reminded the action she had done to betray her husband.