Spunk

Joe and Spunk act as foils for each other in the story, meaning that, when comparing these two characters to each other, readers learn more about each of them. In particular, Hurston juxtaposes the two men in order to raise questions about masculinity. While Spunk is physically large and dominating—he unabashedly publicizes his affair with Lena and also feels comfortable bossing her around—Joe is small, anxious, and weak, and therefore less “masculine.” His attempts to “reclaim” his wife from Spunk are clearly in vain, ultimately leading to his death.

In the following scene, the men in the general store gossip about Joe as he heads off to try to attack Spunk (before he dies):

The men laughed boisterously behind Joe’s back as they watched him shamble woodward.

“You oughtn’t to said whut you did to him, ’Lige—look how it worked him up,” Walter chided.

“And Ah hope it did work him up. ’Tain’t even decent for a man to take and take like he do.”

“Spunk will sho’ kill him.”

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