Sweat, By Zora Neale Hurston

Knowing Zora Neale Hurston was a religious woman, it is no shock that throughout the “Sweat” there are many hidden Biblical references. One reference the story often makes is the snake. The snake is a reference to many things. It first, is a reference to the snake in the book of Genesis, where the devil tempts Eve. The snake also represents original sin and the darkness that comes in all of humanity. In “Sweat”, Delia is afraid of the snake, thus showing her fear of sin and darkness, portraying her as a strong Christian character. The snake can also be a connection to Christ. When the snake is first brought to the house it appears dead. It remains this way for three days, until it miraculously awakens (Carter 611). This relates to Christ when he is hung on the cross and buried. He

The astonishing work of fiction, “Sweat”, by Zora Neale Hurston, captures the ultimate importance of people receiving what they truly deserve. The storyline of Hurston’s “Sweat” encompasses karma as the theme in numerous, yet diverse ways. Hurston uses the snake to bring about karma in “Sweat”. She depicts the negative connections to snakes such as fear, evil, immorality, night and slyness. While also linking the snake to positive symbols, such as rejuvenation and independence. This theme only became overt in the story through the lens of the protagonist, Delia, an African American launderer who is married to Sykes. He constantly taunts her about her phobia of snakes and attempts to kill her, but instead is killed

Through external conflict exhibited by three significant occasions with the antagonist and husband, Sykes Jones, Zora Neale Hurston takes her leading character, Delia Jones, through an internal change from a submissive character to an aggressive and defensive character in her short story, "Sweat." When the story opens, one finds Delia Jones on a Sunday evening washing clothes, as was her profession, and humming a tune, wondering where her husband had gone with her horse and carriage. Little did she know that within the week she would stand against her abusive husband and watch him die of the situation he would create.

In Zora Neal Hurston’s short story “Sweat,” Delia Jones is a dedicated wash-woman who is cemented into an unfortunate relationship with her husband, Skyes. Skyes not only treats Delia inhumanely, but he also commits adultery with his mistress, Bertha. Delia will not divorce Skyes because of her religious beliefs. Delia is deathly afraid of snakes, and Skyes uses this to his advantage when he tries to kill Delia, so he can marry his mistress; ironically, the snake kills Skyes. Delia transforms into a new person throughout the story by fighting for her life in a sophisticated manner.

In 1891, Zora Neale Hurston was born in Alabama, the fifth of eight children. She published her first story at the age of 30 after getting her associate degree at Howard University. Not only that, but she also studied anthropology at Barnard College, earning her bachelor of arts degree. She later tried to earn her Ph.D in anthropology, but failed to show up to class on most days. She did marry twice, but divorced each one shortly after the marriage.

“Oh well, whatever goes over the Devil’s back, is got to come under his belly” . This statement was said by the character Delia, in “Sweat”, a short story written by Zora Neal Hurston. Delia let her husband, Sykes die on the floor after being bitten in the neck by a rattlesnake. Delia’s actions in “Sweat” were necessary, because she was defending herself, and was striving for independence. Sykes and Delia’s relationship was not a healthy or committed relationship.

Zora Neale Hurston was born on January 7, 1891 in Notasulga, Alabama. Hurston moved with her family to Eatonville, Florida when she was still a toddler. Hurston is the fifth of eight children, to John Hurston, a carpenter and Baptist preacher, and Lucy Potts Hurston, a former school teacher. September 191 to June 1918 Hurston attends Morgan Academy in Baltimore, completing her high school requirements. In the summer of 1918 she works as a waitress in a nightclub and a manicurist in a black owned barbershop that only serves whites. In 1918 to 1919 Hurston attends howard Prep School in Washington, D.C. She later attended Howard University and receives an associate degree in 1920. Hurston Published her first story in 1921 called “John Redding

In the short story, “Sweat.” The author Zora Neale Hurston uses foreshadowing, irony and symbolism to intensify the outline of the story. Hurston unravels a short story about a woman name Delia Jones, a washwoman who is married to a man named Skyes, who is a vicious, disrespectful husband. Skyes and Mrs. Delia Jones have been married for fifteen years.

In the short story “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston a reoccurring symbol is the snake. Its apparition is a dominating force throughout the plot. The main character Delia's husband, Sykes uses the snake as a method of tormenting. It first appears to the readers in the form of a whip. Then it manifests into a genuine rattlesnake that Sykes brings home one day. Sykes, the story's antagonist, becomes a symbolic adaption of the snake as the plot evolves. The emblematic meaning embedded into to the snake is oppression and evil. In the story “Sweat”, symbolism is used in the form of a snake to represent oppression and multiple platforms of injustice.

“Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone”-Malcolm X according to the quote you should treat everyone with respect and in the story “sweat” the author characterizes one of the main characters in the story as unrespectful and Sykes one main character could benefit from being respectful to everyone. The author of the story is Zora Neale Hurston and the story is about a hard working woman who has a husband who beats her and uses her and at the end, he is taught a lesson that you should treat people with respect because what you do to another's could be done to you.

Throughout “Sweat”, Zora Neal Hurston illustrates a number confrontational instances which occur between Delia Jones and her abusive husband, Sykes. The story opens with Sykes scaring Delia with a whip, which was initially thought by her to be a snake; an animal of which she explicitly states her fear. Their encounter on that evening ends with Delia pulling a cast iron skillet on Sykes who threatens to beat her as he leaves the house. Despite Sykes knowing of his wife’s snake-fear, he brings one into the house and neglects to kill the reptile which eventually kills him. When Delia approach her dying husband, Sykes calls out, “Delia, is dat u Ah heah” (Hurston 571), to which she does not respond. Therefore, it can be concluded that Sykes open

Delia Jones and Snake Symbolism Slender, strong, patient, and vengeful—it waits in the shadows and is the physical representation of transformation and bravery. It connects the divide between good and evil and is at the core of the short story, “Sweat,” by Zora Neale Hurston. The animal who boasts this title is the serpent. While symbolic descriptions for snakes can differ between cultures and time periods, it is generally seen as a symbol for charm, danger and sexual energy, and considered one of the oldest examples of symbolism that is still utilized in numerous literary and visual works today. Snake symbolism is present within the short fiction, “Sweat,” and is represented in its main character, Delia Jones.

Delia Jones is the main fictional character in Zora Neal Hurston’s story, “Sweat”. A dynamic character develops mentally just as Delia Jones does. She develops into a self-withholding character who decides she will no longer fall victim to Sykes’ abusive behavior. At first she was a submissive individual who specifically suffered mental abuse from fears such as snakes. Even though this fear remains in effect up until the end of the story; Delia’s new hatred towards Sykes prevents her from seeking any help whatsoever when he is dying from the snake bite. Another development is Delia’s purity involving religion. Lastly, Delia becomes a more outspoken person. For these reasons, I believe Delia is a dynamic character.

Hurston was born on January 15th 1891 in Notasulga Alabama to a poor African American family. They later moved to Eatonville Florida, an all-black community when Hurston was still a baby. Her father was Reverend John Hurston the minister of the town. Her mother was Lucy Anne Potts, she had 7 siblings. Home life was fantastic and she couldn’t complain up until around 1904. (CHDR)

Zora Neale Hurston Was Born On January 7,1891. She was raised in Notasulga, Zora studied at the Columbia University where she took courses in Spanish, English, Greek and public speaking and earned an associate degree in 1920. In 1921, she wrote a short story "John Redding Goes to Sea" which qualified her to become a member of Alaine Locke's literary club (1928–1930). During a period of financial and medical difficulties, Hurston was forced to enter St. Lucie County Welfare Home where she suffered a stroke she died of hypertensive heart disease Zora Died On January 28, 1960. Hurston grew up in a community where black people were completely self governed. Her teachers were black the town government was black there was no one around to make her