Sweat And The Man Who Was Almost A Man

In literature, there are works that find their value rooted in a literary movement. Zora Neale Hurston’s “Sweat” and Richard Wright’s “The Man Who Was Almost a Man” are two examples that capture modernism. Both stories embody the idea that modernism is a break with the traditional way of writing and exploring expression throughout stories. Through the analysis of both stories, the characteristics of modernism found include loss and alienation and symbol that allow for multiple interpretations and can be seen through quotes that represent modernist literature. One recurring theme in modernism is the sense of loss and alienation experienced by individuals who are struggling to find their place in an evolving world. This is seen in both “Sweat”

Her sense of loss and alienation comes from both her spouse and the expectations of society. In a world where women are seen as subservient, their struggles are often overlooked. The story captures Delia’s struggle to maintain her integrity while facing so much mistreatment. The story states, “She lay awake, gazing upon the debris that cluttered their matrimonial trail. Not an image left standing along the way… had… drowned in the salty stream that has been pressed from her heart (Hurston 922). This quote shows the sense of loss and emotional alienation through imagery. Delia is forced to endure this marriage and the expectations of a women to do her martial duties during that era. While Wright’s, “The Man Who Was Almost a Man” also captures the theme of loss and alienation, it takes on a different dimension. Dave, a young boy yearning to be seen as a man, is seen struggling with loss and alienation through not being seen as a man and being marginalized for his race. Dave is seen to

Both “Sweat” and “The Man Who Was Almost a Man” relay the theme of loss and alienation, a recurring theme of modernism. Another theme of modernism seen in both “Sweat” by Hurston and “The Man Who Was Almost a Man” by Wright are the symbols that allow for multiple interpretations. In “Sweat,” the snake in the story represented the fear and the emotional and physical abuse Delia faced as well as liberation. The story states, “…where she waited in the growing heat while inside, she knew the cold river was creeping up and up in extinguish that eye which must know by now that she knew” (Hurston 929). The venom of the snake becomes the metaphorical agent of freedom, and its actions brings Delia a moment of transformation. Sweat is also a big symbol in the story representing Delia’s loyalty and hard work. Delia uses the word “sweat” (922) to describe all her dedication by stating, “Looka here, Sykes, you done gone too fur. Ah been married to you for fifteen years, and Ah been takin’ and washin’ fur fifteen years. Sweat, sweat, sweat! Work and sweat, cry and sweat, pray and sweat” (922). This is one of Delia’s breakdowns in the story conveying how she gives her all to her husband and the