English Class Research Paper on the Short Story Sweat
William Eaves
The Traps of Society
All through literature and stories, words and characters will always represent different meanings and symbols. Readers will continue to venture deeper and deeper into the meanings of the words a writer puts on paper. The writer of the story may not even have a deeper meaning to the writing but we as humans have a need to explore. The short story known as “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston may also be one of those types of stories. The short English literature story “Sweat,” written by Zora Neale Hurston, shows Sykes as the husband of the leading character Delia in the story.
During the story it seems as though Sykes gets easily upset and angered at his wife Delia. Sykes takes his frustration out on Delia all throughout the story by hurting her physically, cheating with another woman, and teasing her with one of her biggest frights, which are snakes. Even though Sykes’ behavior should not be accepted or followed, he possibly could show signs of a mental problem that is not fully addressed or dug into during the story. Sykes may also feel threatened because Delia is the sole provider of the house. He wants to feel as if he still has the “man” power and control over the marriage. More often than once he tries to take Delia and make her feel lesser to him as he feels it should be.
Sykes shows his want to be in control at the very start of the story. Delia begins by trying to start her job washing clothes for what is assumed in the story mostly white townspeople. Sykes immediately starts to scream at Delia for one, working on Sunday and two for washing clothes for the mostly white townspeople. Delia ignores him and his yelling while continuing to sort the laundry. Sykes not one to be easily ignored, specifically by his wife, reacts to her quietness by tell her, “Ah aint gointer have it in mah house. Don’t gimme no lip neither, else Ah’ll throw ‘em out and put mah fist up side yo head to boot” (Hurston 408). Sykes will then
The Traps of Society
All through literature and stories, words and characters will always represent different meanings and symbols. Readers will continue to venture deeper and deeper into the meanings of the words a writer puts on paper. The writer of the story may not even have a deeper meaning to the writing but we as humans have a need to explore. The short story known as “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston may also be one of those types of stories. The short English literature story “Sweat,” written by Zora Neale Hurston, shows Sykes as the husband of the leading character Delia in the story.
During the story it seems as though Sykes gets easily upset and angered at his wife Delia. Sykes takes his frustration out on Delia all throughout the story by hurting her physically, cheating with another woman, and teasing her with one of her biggest frights, which are snakes. Even though Sykes’ behavior should not be accepted or followed, he possibly could show signs of a mental problem that is not fully addressed or dug into during the story. Sykes may also feel threatened because Delia is the sole provider of the house. He wants to feel as if he still has the “man” power and control over the marriage. More often than once he tries to take Delia and make her feel lesser to him as he feels it should be.
Sykes shows his want to be in control at the very start of the story. Delia begins by trying to start her job washing clothes for what is assumed in the story mostly white townspeople. Sykes immediately starts to scream at Delia for one, working on Sunday and two for washing clothes for the mostly white townspeople. Delia ignores him and his yelling while continuing to sort the laundry. Sykes not one to be easily ignored, specifically by his wife, reacts to her quietness by tell her, “Ah aint gointer have it in mah house. Don’t gimme no lip neither, else Ah’ll throw ‘em out and put mah fist up side yo head to boot” (Hurston 408). Sykes will then
Cited: Bruckheimer, Loren. forming a Straight punch with a curved fist . Auburn: The University of Auburn Press, 2001. Calcker, Stephanie. “Zora Neale Hurston.” modern-day Literary analysis. Ohio: Faller Studios Inc., 1998. Hallace, Debbie, C. Ed. Forming our own Thoughts. New York: Cornella University Press, 1999. Hurston, Zora Neale. “Sweat.” Norton Anthology of Southern Literature. Ed. William L. Andrews. New York: Norton, 1998. Nosam, Betty. “Sweat” Looking for a Man`s place.” Birth of a Southern person and Stories. Norfolk: Colorado Wesleyan College, 2003.