Summary Of Sweat By Lynn Nottage

How would you feel if your income was threatened? If it was cut off? If you had mouths to feed? These thoughts and more are dealt with in ‘Sweat’, a play written by Lynn Nottage about a small industrial town called Reading, Pennsylvania. Nottage utilizes literary conflict to communicate her ideas of the impact of wage instability on racial tension in working-class towns. What economists refer to as the “Third Globalization” began in 1989 in the U.S. and continues today. The impacts of this third globalization have been massive on these one-factory towns — just like the one depicted in the play. Set in the years 2000 and 2008 (a gross economic recession), Nottage’s play sheds light on how unemployment and wage instability affect human interaction.

In 2008, Jason was recently released from prison and is suspected of hanging out in bars (a violation of his parole). When confronted by his black parole officer with a drug test, he promptly explodes: “You are a f**king asshole”. F**k you, n***a!” This early outburst of bigotry suggests a character disposition towards aggressive and hateful tendencies. Here, his obvious inner conflict manifests itself into blatant racism from the very beginning of the play. It's crucial to consider the context here: Jason's parole officer is black, adding another layer to the scene's significance. The use of the 'N-word' carries centuries of oppression and discrimination, and its directed usage towards a black authority figure reveals Jason's prejudices and the impact of the power dynamics at play. By looking into Jason's interaction with his parole officer, we can gain further insight into his character and the broader ideas the play addresses. In “Sweat,” Lynn Nottage skillfully employs literary conflict to expose the profound effects of unemployment and wage instability on racial tension within working-class

The phrase "Tracey pretends like it ain't a big deal" suggests a mask of indifference hiding deeper discontent, while "she doesn't like taking orders from Cynthia" points to an unease rooted in racial and social power hierarchies. The casual dismissal of "The Promotion" Whatever" actually hints at the significant impact this advancement has on their relationship, with Cynthia's rise perceived as a threat to Tracey's sense of stability and status. This tension, subtly introduced through Jessie’s comments, reveals how economic shifts can disrupt social hierarchies and intensify racial issues. Nottage's choice of language, such as "pretends" and "doesn't like," conveys the bottled-up strain and secretly growing animosity, highlighting how economic instability can fracture interpersonal relationships and amplify racial tensions within the community. Lynn Nottage uses literary conflict to wrestle with the impacts of unemployment and wage instability on racial tensions, effectively tying together the disastrous effects of economic problems on social dynamics in the format of an immersive play. Most people try to avoid conflict where they can; very few seek it