Zora Neale Hurston's "Sweat," Zora Thesis

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They know he beats Delia enough to "kill three women" (352). He also has a reputation for cheating on his wife. He is such a despicable person that Old Man Anderson believes he should be killed. Delia seems to be in a losing situation. Her husband hates her and there seems to be nothing she can do. Her strength is overlooked to a certain extent. Through it all, she manages to work and work hard. She retains her dignity when others might have given up.

"Sweat" is really about karma. Delia works hard and she is the only one in the household who does work hard. Sykes is a bum and a moocher. He built a life with Delia through intimidation and regular beatings. We know that she is and he is accustomed to her "habitual meekness" (350). Sykes has been getting away with mistreating Delia for some time and does not feel threatened in any way. He laughs at her and does what he can to belittle her. He is living the bum's dream, so to speak.

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The underlying message of the story is what goes around will eventually come around, generally when least expected. In Sykes' case, when he is planning evil and even delighting in it, a different outcome awaits. The snake becomes a symbol of fear and freedom in the story as Sykes intends to kill Delia with it. Sykes becomes too full of himself and, in the end, has nothing to cling to when he needs a loving wife the most. Karma stings him and the worst part of this for Sykes is the realization of what is occurring to him and why.

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