Zora Neale Hurston’s short story “Sweat,” which was published in 1926, is a story set in the 1920s of a verbally and physically abusive marriage. The story is meant to show how the female main character, Delia, tries to stand up to her abusive and worthless husband while being the primary provider for both of them. Hurston uses phallic symbolism, like the bullwhip and the snake, to describe the husband, Sykes. On the other hand, gynocentric symbolism is used to describe and represent Delia. Hurston uses these very different aspects of symbolism to highlight the differences between the two characters and to help the reader comprehend the short story.
In the short story, Sykes is defined as the stereotypical conceited, abusive husband that leaches to the accomplishments of his wife. Zora Neale Hurston uses phallic symbolism to help define Sykes’
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Hurston used symbols like the laundry basket, the house, and the skillet to emphasize Delia’s hard work, or “sweat,” as a female in a 1920s patriarchy. The house is a major symbol in the story because it is representative of Delia’s role in her relationship with her husband and the society surrounding them. Delia not only paid for the house, but she also keeps everything in it clean and in order. Hurston used the symbol of the laundry basket to help describe Delia’s character. Delia’s job in her society is to wash clothes and remove stains and spots from them. This helps the reader understand that the laundry and laundry basket is meant to symbolize Delia’s innocence and goodness. Lastly, in the short story, Delia uses the skillet as a defensive weapon against Sykes. In the 1920s, normally the skillet is associated with a woman's cooking, but instead, it is meant to signify her resistance to her husband's abuse. At that moment, Delia is refusing to break down and become the victim because she is