After reading a ton of short stories this semester, the story that I remember the most is “Sweat” by Zora Hutson. The short story “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston, written in the 1920s, is a female empowerment story about a woman overcoming her abusive husband. Set in central Florida, it is a tale that revolves around protagonist Delia and antagonist Sykes. Many stories like this one, shows the famous battle of good vs. evil, Delia shows the side of good, while Sykes represents evil. Domestic Abuse Sykes abuses Delia emotionally and physically, this trauma kindled a desire for revenge in Delia, his abuse helped her find strength and independence. Delia puts everything into her work while, Sykes remains lazy. He allows Delia to pay for their house and expenses while, he wanders around town with his mistress, spending money that nobody is really sure how he obtains and holds a sense of power over Delia.
The clothing is a representation of Delia’s hard work and the sweat and blood she gives in order to make ends meet. In the beginning of the story, Sykes tramps all over it with muddy feet. This
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Delia is desperately afraid of snakes. Sykes uses this weakness in an attempt to frighten her. The bullwhip serves as a figurative representation of the snake, and the rattlesnake serves as a real life one. Snakes also tend to be related to the Devil and evil, this association gives a hand to Sykes’s character as well. An example of consequences in "Sweat" is when Sykes is bitten by the snake and dies. The ending could have easily been idealized by Delia helping Sykes because he shows that his is human, he is afraid. "She could hear Sykes calling in a most despairing tone as one who expected no answer. He crept an inch or two toward herall that he was able, and she saw his horribly swollen neck and his one open eye shining with hope" (157). His hope was not