Similarities Between Sweat And Their Eyes Were Watching God

Power Struggle: Self Determination vs. Divine Power

Power dynamics are central to any relationship. Power, who has it, how it's perceived and how it shapes the destiny of a relationship affects one's behavior, beliefs and actions. The distribution of power and its aftermath are focal points for Zora Neal Hurston’s investigations into whether power is the true source of fate. Throughout both the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God and the short story “Sweat '' by Zora Neale Hurtson, the topics of destiny and power dynamics are evident through each work's central theme. In “Sweat”, Hurston highlights the idea of self determination, whereas in the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, Hurston looks at the fragility of social norms and the importance

When regarding power dynamics, both works showcase a struggle between husband and wife, both pertaining to abuse and intentional submission. In “Sweat”, The protagonist Delia endures a fifteen year long marriage filled with abuse and emotional neglect from her husband Sykes. In an aggressive argument between Delia and Sykes, he states “Ah don't keer how bad Ah skeer you” (1). This connects to the common themes of power dynamics, specifically those of gender roles, as their relationship kept Delia powerless under her malicious husband's control. Additionally, in Their Eyes Were

This theme shows the usage of self determination when looking at one’s fate, rather than a divine power. This short story outlines an abusive marriage between Delia, a dedicated washwoman, and Sykes, a lazy and aggressive husband. Hurston’s characters may be said to represent the conflict of good vs. evil, as Delia is shown as hardworking and kind, while conversely, Sykes is shown as malicious and abusive. These circumstances help set the stage for Hurston's comparison of their personalities as it connects to their marital roles. Feeling exasperated over her husband's unprovoked aggression, Delia expresses her feelings, saying: “Looka heah, Sykes, you done gone too fur…. Ah been takin' in washin' for fifteen years. Sweat, sweat, sweat,"(2). This excerpt shows the emotions of Delia as she has worked incredibly hard, enduring abuse to the point of not having control over her own life. Hurston uses the repetition of the word “sweat” to express the idea that Delia is full of goodness and is willing to put the work in, while Sykes' laziness is an unfavorable trait. The word choice of “sweat” emphasizes her hard work, while also reminding the reader of the malignant behavior of Sykes. Additionally, the use of symbolism conveys the idea that one's actions have an immense impact on their future.