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2018-10-20

What type of plot is sweat?

What type of plot is sweat?

Sweat is a short story consisting of only 4743 words. (about 15 pages) by the American writer Zora Neale Hurston, first published in 1926.

What happens in the story sweat?

Sweat Summary. “Sweat” tells the story of a woman in an unhappy and abusive marriage who is eventually freed through an ironic twist of fate. She lies awake, remembering the hopeful early days of her marriage and its swift turn to abuse.

What is the climax of the short story sweat?

The Climax of “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston is when Delia is at her breaking point with Sykes and all the things he is continuously putting her through like treating her poorly and cheating on her with a woman named Bertha. They begin arguing and from there Delia tells him to leave her house right at that moment.

How does Syke die in sweat?

Delia’s neighbors all condemn Sykes and sympathize with Delia, aware of the abuse she has been subjected to. Sykes bring a snake into the house, hoping to scare Delia out. That night, Sykes gets bitten by the snake. He dies, and Delia is free.

Why does Delia want Sykes to leave?

Instead, he treats his wife as if she is no better than a pack mule. Delia also knows that Sykes wants her out of the house for a very selfish reason: he is aiming to move his mistress (Bertha) into the house. Sykes uses ridicule and violence to try to goad Delia into leaving.

Why does Delia and Sykes?

Delia probably stays with Sykes after he has been so abusive to her because within that time period women did not typically divorce their husbands. She also has a personality that suggests that she upholds commitments and will bear through difficult times.

How does Sykes feel about Delia and her work?

How does Sykes feel about Delia and her work? He teases her about her work but secretly appreciates it. He believes she should wash black folks’ clothes as well. He pushes her to prioritize religion above financial gain.

What does Sykes use to scare Delia at the beginning of sweat?

bullwhip

What is the significance of Delia being a Washwoman?

Expert Answers In her short story “Sweat,” Zora Neale Hurston decided to make Delia a washerwoman to illustrate just how miserable and harsh her life is and has been. Her job is a metaphor for the abuse that she receives from her ruthless and unfaithful husband, Sykes.

Do you think Delia is a meek or strong character?

It seems that Delia, a “habitually meek” character, as is stated in the story, has endured years of domestic abuse from her husband, Sykes. She works tirelessly to take care of the family, with little, if any, input from him, and instead of being appreciative of her efforts, he beats and bullies her without end.

What is the symbolism of Delia being a Washwoman who cleans white people’s clothes?

Expert Answers She works for white people and the idea of a black woman cleansing white people’s dirty laundry is symbolic in that it suggests that whites are full of sin for the way they treat blacks. Whites produce dirty laundry, or sins, and Delia, a black woman, cleanses them.

What does the rattlesnake symbolize in the story sweat?

Snakes. The snake, long a symbol of evil and malevolence, is used throughout the story. Delia is deathly afraid of snakes, a fact that Sykes uses to his advantage. At the beginning of the story, he tricks her with a whip to scare her and to show her once again that he has dominance over her.

What is the theme of the story sweat?

“Sweat” tells the story of a domestically abused, religiously devout laundress and her adulterous, deadbeat husband. The dominant theme is good versus evil, but the story also incorporates the themes of hard work versus laziness and fate.

What is the symbolism in Hurston’s sweat?

In “Sweat,” Hurston uses the symbol of sweat to represent the vital essence of Delia’s being. Along with her tears and her blood, “the salty stream had been pressed from her heart.” Her essence or being is devoted to her work, which can be seen as an extension of herself and in which she takes great pride.

What is the irony that takes place in the story sweat?

The main irony in the story is that all of Sykes’ schemes against Delia result in unexpected, negative consequences for him. Sykes brings the snake into the house because he knows that Delia is mortally afraid of reptiles. To Sykes, the snake is a weapon. His main goal is to get Delia to leave.

How is the ending of sweat ironic and why?

The beginning of the story focuses on cosmic irony. Delia is a hardworking Christian woman who attends church regularly and tries to do the right thing. Of course, by the story’s end, we the audience know that the irony of this story is that Sykes receives the fate that he had set out for Delia.

How does situational irony help to reveal the meaning of this story?

Furthermore, situational irony occurs when there is an incongruity between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. Authors use this device to create a more relatable situation or character within literature. It can also be used to change the tone or mood of a written work.

What happens at the end of sweat by Zora Neale Hurston?

Sykes buys a snake to torture Delia and make her afraid to be in their home, a home that her many long years of work has paid for. In a twist of fate, the snake ends up killing Sykes and freeing Delia from a poisonous marriage, something she realizes as she watches him die.

Is Delia right to let Sykes die at the end of the story?

Expert Answers While it is never morally right to allow someone to die when help is available, it is, nevertheless, understandable that Delia would not aid Sykes, who has been terribly abusive for many years.

What are the 4 types of irony?

There are four major types of irony: verbal, dramatic, situational, and cosmic.

  • Four Major Types of Irony: Verbal Irony.
  • Note: Verbal irony may be confused with sarcasm, but sarcasm is harsh and direct, while verbal irony is implied. Dramatic Irony.
  • Situational Irony.