Zora Neale Kelson Sweat

In the short story, “Sweat”, by Zora Neale Hurtson, there are many themes and lessons in the story, but the one that sticks out the most is temporary pleasure may bring permanent consequences. She exemplifies this theme through the works of dialogue between the characters. My first example of the dialogue supporting the theme is in a conversation between the main character, Delia, and her abusive husband Sykes. In the conversation, Sykes says, “Course ah knowed it! That’s how come I done it… If you such a big fool dat you got to have a fit over a earth worm or a string, ah don’t keer how bad ah skeer you.” This is how Hurtson first shows the readers skyes toxic ways. In the quote it shows that Sykes does not care about Delia or how she feels,

This shows that he is getting pleasure and enjoyment from hurting her not only physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. HIs goal is to dehumanize her out of pleasure and not because he has to. This leads to a second piece of dialogue in the story between some of the men in the town speaking on how they feel about Sykes. In the text Moss states, “Syke Jones aint wuth de shot an’ powder hit would tek tuh kill’em Not to huh he aint.” This is then replied by Walter Thomas saying, “He sho’ aint.” These statements show the outlook that the other men in the town have on Syke. In the quote they say that he is worthless and even shooting him would be a waste of ammo. This is because the other men recognize the way he treats and beats his wife and he knows he is doing it, but he is just a bad person. This dialogue shows the consequences of skyes actions because it shows that if Sykes is ever in need, they will not help him because they know what type of person he is and they would even take a chance to hurt him in the many ways he hurts Delia. The last piece of evidence shows Sykes bringing a snake into the home to yet again scare her for his own pleasure and to mentally abuse