Spunk is characterized as confident, arrogant, and embodying masculine ideals. In contrast, Joe is fearful and nervous. When Spunk confronts Joe over Lena, he asserts his dominance over her. Though this could be seen as a dangerous stereotype, Lena demonstrates her choice for Spunk. Later, Spunk's character develops signs of weakness as he feels guilt. His demise suggests masculinity can be both empowering and its downfall. The women understand Lena's situation and limitations as a woman in that society.

1. Spunk
Zora Neale Hurston
Ms. Ramirez-Cruz

2. Spunk Characterization
• “…big as life an‟ brassy as tacks.”
• “he ain‟t skeered of nothin…‟”
• “…it‟s cause Spunk wants Lena….He‟d go
after anything he wanted the same
way….”
• Spunk is confident, arrogant, selfish, cold
and embodies the ideals of masculinity

3. Joe Characterization
• “…came nervously in the door..”
• “He swallowed several times painfully and his lips
trembled..”
• “One could actually see the pain he was
suffering, his eyes, his face, his hands and even
the dejected slump of his shoulders.”
• “…and his Adam‟s apple was galloping up and
down his neck like a race horse.”
• Joe is fearful, apparently a coward
• Unable to make Lena happy – we don‟t know why

4. The Men in the Store
• Elijah is really our narrator
• The men are the community – they
represent the society
• They speak in the vernacular
• They make judgments about
Spunk, Joe, and Lena
• They are the conscience of the community
and discuss the “laws” and how these
characters have broken them

5. The Initial Confrontation
• Joe makes a whiney plea – he is fearful and
with good reason
• Spunk is ruthless – “Lena youse mine….let
no other man git outa his place wid you!”
• Spunk has complete control
• Sees Lena as a possession
• Lena is surprisingly outspoken – “‟Thass mah
house…‟” – demonstrates she choses Spunk

6. The Initial Confrontation
• Spunk‟s complete control is reflective of the
masculine values of the time especially in the
south
• Lena‟s look of “love” demonstrates her choice
of Spunk over Joe
• This could be considered a
stereotypical, dangerous image of women
• However, she is outspoken and is willing to
break the rules of society to be with the man
she “loves”
• A great deal of “passion” in this scene

7. Spunk‟s Character Changes
• Dynamic character – changes throughout the
course of the text
• Wants to marry Lena to stop folks “…talkin‟
„bout her…”
• “Joe done sneaked back from Hell!”
• “…he claimed somebody pushed‟im”
• He has become more human
• He has lost his confidence and has become
fearful

8. Spunk Changes
• Changes begin when he decides to marry
Lena
• The “black bob-cat” makes his appearance
under their bedroom at night
• The “black bob-cat” is symbolic of Spunk‟s
guilt
• He loses his confidence and believes he is
pushed to his death

9. Theme
• The theme is masculinity
• However what is the message?
• Spunk embodies all the aspects of
masculinity and he gets what he wants but
it brings about his demise
• His guilt becomes his weakness

10. Women
• Lena genuinely mourns for Spunk
• “The women…wondered who would be
Lena‟s next.”
• The women know the reality
• They understand Lena‟s character and the
situation of women at the time
• Although she may fit one type of
stereotype she dares to follow her passion