Answer:
The theme of the story centers on the standard of toughness and manliness set by Spunk.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the book, "Spunk" by Zora Neale Hurston, we learn of a man named Spunk who took delight in showing off his toughness as a man as well as intimidating other men in the community he lived. This attitude led him to show off Lena, the wife of a man who was deemed weak by others, Joe. He walked with the woman to the cheering from other men, especially Elijah who scorned Joe.
Walter never condoned the act of intimidation by Spunk for he referred to Joe as a braver man than Spunk in these words:
"Joe wuz a braver man than Spunz".
His view of the two men was justified in the story for even though Spunk killed unarmed Joe, he still died a miserable death which was worse than Joe's. According to him, Joe's ghost tormented him to death.