Summary
In “Sweat,” the tale unfolds with the portrayal of Delia Jones, an assiduous launderer who is subjected to maltreatment at the hands of her husband, Sykes. Delia diligently does the laundry for the white people in town, and on this particular Sabbath eve, she is sorting the clothes in her home (Hurston). Sykes, who has a history of mistreating Delia, enters the kitchen and hurls a bullwhip in her direction, thereby scaring her. Delia, spurred by her courage, confronts him regarding his wrongdoings and questions where he has been with her horse and wagon. Sykes, in his characteristic fashion, proceeds to humiliate her and unleash threats upon her person.
With an indomitable spirit, Delia endeavors to disregard his provocations and continue to labor diligently. However, Sykes escalates his tirade by menacing to cast the garments into the open air. Delia stands up for herself and tells Sykes that she has been working hard and that her sweat has paid for their house. Persisting in his disgraceful behavior, Sykes departs from the premises, leaving Delia bitter and resentful.
The narrative then leaps forward in time, unveiling that Sykes has taken up with another woman named Bertha (Hurston). The neighbors of Delia discuss Sykes’ abominable treatment of his wife. In search of solace, Delia seeks refuge within the confines of the church community.
Delia arrives at her house one day to discover that Sykes has brought a dangerous rattlesnake inside (Hurston). Overwhelmed by terror, she flees to the barn, concealing herself from impending danger. Eventually summoning the courage to confront the perilous situation, Delia returns, only to discover that the venomous serpent has fatally bitten Sykes.
Experiencing a mixture of relief and compassion, she leaves him to suffer the consequences of his actions (Hurston). Reflecting upon her life’s journey, Delia admits that she has conducted herself to the utmost of her abilities and acknowledges that the reprehensible conduct of Sykes is not her burden to bear. Ultimately, Delia emerges emancipated from the shackles of abuse and the ill-treatment she endured at the hands of her erstwhile spouse.
Opinion
The text is a powerful and poignant portrayal of domestic abuse and the resilience of the human spirit. Delia’s character is strong and determined, and it is satisfying to see her finally liberated from her abusive husband. Overall, “Sweat” is a thought-provoking and memorable piece of literature.
Works Cited
Hurston, Zora Neale. Sweat. Rutgers UP, 1997.