zora neal hurston

A detailed Summary of zora neal hurston

From a young age, children are taught that hard work will lead to success. It is also enforced in them that they can be whatever they want to be, as long as they are persistent. Unfortunately, this advice does not always pan out in day-to-day living.

First of all, many people are not working because they are looking for success or fortune. People have to work because they need to make money so that they may have such amenities as food, clothing and shelter. Also, for some people, work provides them with a purpose in their lives.

Second of all, in the real world, hard work, humbleness, and a cheery smile only lead to great success in Disney channel movies. There is always an adversary trying to hold you back, be it "the man" the government, or even a "loved" one. This sad circumstance is what we find in the short story "Sweat" by Zora Neale Hurston.

However, as in the Disney movies, sometimes the underdog wins. Hurston's story serves as an exception that proves the rule of male domination. Therefore, "Sweat" is a tale of one woman's final triumph over the oppressing patriarchal society that she is forced to live in.

The main character, Delia Jones, works her fingers to the bone for the sake of herself and

Despite the many trials that Sykes caused her, "Two or three times Delia had attempted a timid friendliness, but she was repulsed each time. It was plain that the breaches must remain agape."

Not only is Sykes having an affair with Bertha, but he is also paying for her to stay at a local hotel. This causes Delia distress, but not for the reason that one would assume. She is a strong woman and does not pine away for love lost on Sykes. However, she does resent having to act ignorant in an attempt to save face in front of the villagers.

Delia has given Sykes years of her life as a breadwinner and emotional punching bag. She fully understands that all chances for love in her marriage are long gone. Since she doesn't love Sykes, she really doesn't care who he "socializes" with. However, she is damn certain that neither he nor his mistress will benefit from her hard work, or the home that she has made for herself. As the saying goes, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," or, in Delia's case, "Hell hath no fury like a woman abused and unappreciated." The last fragment of her rant which says "Ah'm gointer stay right heah till Ah'm toted out foot foremost" shows how Sykes is only going to win over her dead body.

So in the end Delia prevailed. Despite the social and gender constraints placed on her, she was able to beat "the man" with her hard work, dedication and patience. Maybe those Disney specials know what they are talking about after all.

Since the reader has yet to hear from Sykes, a skeptical reader may believe that Delia is exaggerating her present situation. Sykes hasn't really had a chance to defend himself against Delia's accusations. However, a conversation that takes place between men of the village not only corroborates the allegations that Delia has made, but also serves to reinforce what a "find" Delia was to Sykes.

The final straw was when Sykes brought a rattler into her home. Delia was petrified of the slithering creatures, and he knew it. In one final attempt to show his authority over her, Sykes refused to get rid of the snake. "Syke, Ah wants you tuh take dat snake 'way fum heah. You done starved me an' Ah put up widcher, you done beat me and Ah took dat, but you done kilt all mah insides bringin' dat varmint heah." "A whole lot Ah keer 'bout how you feels inside uh out. Dat snake ain't goin' no damn wheah till Ah gits ready fuh 'im tuh go. So fur as beatin' is conc

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1649
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English