What is the significance of the title Spunk?
Courage and Cowardice The most important theme in Spunk is suggested by its title: since the nineteenth century, the word spunk has been slang for feistiness or liveliness. To say of someone, She’s got spunk, is to say that she is spirited, unafraid.
What does the black bobcat symbolize in Spunk?
The big, black bobcat that appears towards the end of the story, after Spunk has murdered Joe Kanty in the woods, symbolizes justice.
Did Spunk feel any remorse for killing Joe?
While Lena cries, Spunk claims that Joe cowardly tried to attack him from behind, so Spunk was merely acting in self-defense by shooting his attacker. The men follow Spunk out of the general store and into the woods, where he shows off Joe’s crumple[d] and limp body. Spunk shows no remorse for Joe’s death
Why is Joe upset Spunk?
he is jealous that Spunk has married the woman Joe wanted to marry. he knows that Spunk and his wife are having an affair. goes home with Joe, since she is still his wife.
What is the meaning of the story Spunk?
Manhood is a major theme of this short story. Throughout the story, Spunk and Joe are compared and contrasted. Spunk represents the stereotypical view of what men are supposed to be. He’s strong, confident, and fearless, and as a result, he wins Lena’s affections.
What is the significance of the title does it perhaps have a double meaning Spunk?
What is the significance of the title? Does it perhaps have a double meaning? The significance of the title is that Spunk’s name represents courage, liveliness,willpower, and determination.
What is the meaning of Spunk by Zora Neale Hurston?
Through Elijah’s dialogue, Hurston quickly positions Spunk as the epitome of archetypal masculinity. Spunk embodies strength, pride, and potency and is envied by the other men, who look up to him for both his fearlessness at work and his success with women.
Who is the main character Spunk?
Spunk Characters
- Spunk Banks. As the eponymous character, Spunk could be understood as the story’s protagonist.
- Joe Kanty. The protagonist of the story, Joe Kanty is nervous, awkward and physically inferior to Spunk Banks, his rival.
- Lena Kanty.
- Elijah Mosley.
- Walter Thomas.
- Jeff Kanty.
- The Sheriff.
Who or what does Spunk claim the bobcat is?
Spunk is unable to shoot the bobcat and claims that it is Joe, come back from Hell to seek revenge. It is unclear whether the bobcat is actually Joe or not, but Spunk’s superstitions have a real, material impact on his fate.
What does the character Spunk represent?
Spunk represents the stereotypical view of what men are supposed to be. He’s strong, confident, and fearless, and as a result, he wins Lena’s affections. Joe’s actions, his body language, and obvious fear of Spunk paint him as less of a man.
How does Joe’s dad feel about Spunk’s death?
While Lena cries, Spunk claims that Joe cowardly tried to attack him from behind, so Spunk was merely acting in self-defense by shooting his attacker. The men follow Spunk out of the general store and into the woods, where he shows off Joe’s crumple[d] and limp body. Spunk shows no remorse for Joe’s death
How does Spunk feel after killing Joe?
Joe is riled up and goes to fight him, but he is killed when Spunk shoots him with an unfair advantage because Joe only had a razor. The court rules Joe’s death as self defense but Spunk still feels guilty and says that he sees Joe’s ghost everywhere.
How does Spunk die and who does he think is responsible?
Spunk falls from a log into the saw and is fatally injured. Before he dies, he accuses Joe of having pushed him into the bladepushed him from the back, like a coward. When Spunk is laid out for burial, the whole village comes to see him and to comfort Lena.
What did Joe do Spunk?
While Lena cries, Spunk claims that Joe cowardly tried to attack him from behind, so Spunk was merely acting in self-defense by shooting his attacker. The men follow Spunk out of the general store and into the woods, where he shows off Joe’s crumple[d] and limp body. Spunk shows no remorse for Joe’s death
How does Elijah admire Spunk?
Lesson Summary Spunk is a fearless, arrogant man who is openly seeing Joe’s wife, Lena. When Joe gathers his nerve to confront Spunk, he is shot and killed. After Spunk decides to marry Lena, he is visited by a black bobcat that he believes to be Joe.
What job does Spunk have?
Elijah works at the sawmill with Spunk Banks and admires him greatly for his strength and gumption. Frequenting the general store after work, Elijah enjoys gossiping and telling stories to the men there, who often take Elijah’s word as gospel.
What does the Bobcat symbolize in Spunk?
Through Elijah’s dialogue, Hurston quickly positions Spunk as the epitome of archetypal masculinity. Spunk embodies strength, pride, and potency and is envied by the other men, who look up to him for both his fearlessness at work and his success with women.
What is the main conflict in Spunk?
Courage and Cowardice The most important theme in Spunk is suggested by its title: since the nineteenth century, the word spunk has been slang for feistiness or liveliness. To say of someone, She’s got spunk, is to say that she is spirited, unafraid.
What is the tone of the story Spunk?
Courage and Cowardice The most important theme in Spunk is suggested by its title: since the nineteenth century, the word spunk has been slang for feistiness or liveliness. To say of someone, She’s got spunk, is to say that she is spirited, unafraid.
What kind of character is Spunk?
Spunk is a fearless, arrogant man who is openly seeing Joe’s wife, Lena. When Joe gathers his nerve to confront Spunk, he is shot and killed. After Spunk decides to marry Lena, he is visited by a black bobcat that he believes to be Joe. He becomes so afraid that he develops a tremble.
Who is the hero in Hurston’s tale?
The hero of the story, John Buddy Pearson, is a big, powerful man, a living exultation, who is born over de Big Creek, on the wrong side of town. He falls in love with a rich girl, Lucy Potts, who calls him a big yaller bee-stung man.
What is the setting of the story Spunk?
The story is set is a rural, all-black town in the South modeled on Eatonville, Florida, where Zora had grown up. As it begins, a group of men outside the town’s general store watch as Spunk Banks walks by, with Lena Kanty, the wife of another man, Joe Kanty, clinging to his arm.
What does the Bobcat represent in Spunk?
The big, black bobcat that appears towards the end of the story, after Spunk has murdered Joe Kanty in the woods, symbolizes justice.
Who killed Spunk in Spunk?
When Joe gathers his nerve to confront Spunk, he is shot and killed. After Spunk decides to marry Lena, he is visited by a black bobcat that he believes to be Joe. He becomes so afraid that he develops a tremble. This leads to a deadly cutting accident at the sawmill.
Who is telling the story in Spunk?
While Lena cries, Spunk claims that Joe cowardly tried to attack him from behind, so Spunk was merely acting in self-defense by shooting his attacker. The men follow Spunk out of the general store and into the woods, where he shows off Joe’s crumple[d] and limp body. Spunk shows no remorse for Joe’s death
