Sweat
"Sweat" by Zora Neale Hurston is filled with symbolism ranging from images that are easily captured to things that require a little bit more insight. Religion has apparently played a major role in Hurston's life, readily seen in "Sweat" with the references to a snake and Gethsemane. Symbolism plays a big part of this story and after analyzing these, they give the story a deeper meaning and can enlighten the reader as to the full meaning of "Sweat".The most apparent symbol in the story is the title, "Sweat". It is also mentioned in the story, "Looka heah, Sykes, you done gone too fur. Ah been married to you fur fifteen years, and Ah been takin' in washin' fur fifteen years. Sweat, sweat, sweat! Work and sweat, cry and sweat, pray and sweat" (Hurston 679). The "Sweat" is the product of Delia's hard work supporting them. It stands for her work ethic and how she has tried to make her work as best as she can, it is a big part of her life. Another easily recognized symbol in this story is that of the snake. "Sykes, what you throw dat whip on me like dat? You know it would skeer me - looks just like a snake, an' you knows how skeered Ah is of snakes" (Hurston 678). The snake is the main symbol in this story, it ties it together becau
just like the snake striking its victim, unexpectedly, from all sides and for no apparent reason. There is another passage where Delia thinks about defense against the snake. "She mused at the tremendous whirr inside, which every woodsman knows, is one of the sound illusions. The rattler is a ventriloquist. His whirr sounds to the right, to the left, straight ahead, behind, close under foot -everywhere but where it is. Woe to him who guesses wrong unless he is prepared to hold up his end of the argument! Sometimes he strikes without rattling at all" (Hurston 686). This passage represents Delia's relationship with Syke. He strikes her from all angles. Sykes is cruel to her for no reason at all, During one attempt to beat her she stands up to him. "She seized the iron skillet from the stove and struck a defensive pose, which act surprised him greatly, coming from her" (Hurston 680). The skillet is something from which food is created, a 'womanly' thing. Delia uses this tool which is used for creation in an attempt to destroy Sykes.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Romans Gethsemane, Gethsemane Symbolism, Delia's Christianity, Delia Ah, African Americans, Neale Hurston, Delia Christianity, Sweat Delia's, Gethsemane Jesus, Bible Genesis, sweat sweat, symbol story, sweat sweat sweat, hurston 683, fur fifteen, hurston 680, hurston 679, bible genesis, zora neale, chinaberry tree, filled symbolism,
Approximate Word count = 985
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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