How and why does Hurston incorporate the process of giving great value to seemingly small things (e.g. gifts, personal foibles or tendencies, inside jokes, games) into the story?
Hurston incorporates the process of giving great value to seemingly small things into the story by describing Joe and Missie Mays’ happiness through their little “fight”. “Shouting, laughing, twisting, turning, tussling, tickling each other in the ribs; Missie May clutching onto Joe and Joe trying, but not too hard, to get away”. Missie May is going through Joe’s pockets as if trying to rid him of all his property yet Joe enjoys this moment and lets her take everything. They are able to “fight” each other freely knowing the other person is enjoying the moment because this is like a tradition to them. Although little is given and taken what matters is the moment of happiness shared. Because the characters are not well off so they are easily satisfied with a little something, not only easily satisfied but they are happy just to have each other’s company. Although each person has their own level of satisfaction, readers can easily relate to their happiness of receiving a gift from a loved one and the gift gives the characters something to look forward to together making their life more interesting.
I definitely agree that because they do not have much, they feel much happier with the little that they do have. I feel like richer people may not care much about the little things because they have everything. Sometimes when you don’t have to work to get what you want, it doesn’t bring satisfaction. Having less of everything is what enables Missie May and Joe to be happy.