Strength and Resilience: The Story of Delia in "Sweat"

In the story “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston, we are introduced to a hard-working woman named Delia, who is in a toxic and abusive relationship with her husband, Sykes. Right away we see Sykes trying to pick a fight with Delia for bringing clothes that belong to white people in their house. “Ah done tole you time and again to keep them white folks’ clothes outa dis house” (Page 198). He gets mad at her about the work she does and tries to make her feel bad for helping white people. Delia ignores his statements and continues working which shows her strength. This gets Sykes furious and he starts to stomp on the clothes that Delia is washing. Again, Delia has no reaction which causes Sykes to threaten her. This is when Delia stands up for herself and shows that she is just as strong as him. She states that she has worked hard to get money and the only reason they are able they live in their house is because she paid for it, thus, she will do whatever she wants in it. “Mah sweat is done paid for this house and Ah reckon ah gon keep on sweatin’ in it” (Page 198). She is showing that she is independent and that everything she has, she earned it. Sykes leaves the house and goes to sleep somewhere else.

That night, Delia lies down in bed and thinks about her life. She thinks about all the violence she has been through, but she remembers about the delightful house she has. “Too late for everything except her little home.” (Page 199). This shows that the only thing she is proud of is a result of her years of hard work. A couple days later, Delia goes to the store and sees Sykes with his other woman named Bertha. Sykes is buying her a lot of food in order to hurt Delia, but this does not bother her, and she keeps minding her own business. Everyone person in the town knows about the situation and feel bad for Delia but no one decides to help her. Sykes wants to move Bertha into the house and make Delia leave it. Again, Delia tries to ignore the situation but since Bertha keeps passing by, arguments occur. “Delia and Sykes fought all the time now with no peaceful interludes.” (Page 202).

One day, Sykes brought a snake into the house in order to scare Delia away from the house. She repeatedly asks him to remove it, however, he just laughs in her face and doesn’t do anything. Again, the people from the town hear about the snake, but no one helps Delia. Delia decides that she has had enough of Sykes and she tells him to get out of her house immediately. “Don’t think ah’m gointu be run way fum mah house neither. Ah’m going to de white folks’ bout you, mah young man de very nex’ time you lay yo’ han’s on me.” (Page 204). This quote really shows Delia’s boldness and her strength to stand up for herself. Sykes bolts out without doing any harm to Delia.

The next day, Delia goes to church and when she returns home, she does not see the snake, so she thinks that Sykes came and took it out of the house. However, when she opens the laundry basket, she sees the snake is in there slithering around. Again, we see this form of abuse that Delia is suffering from Sykes. Delia says to her that none of this is her fault and that everything will sort itself out soon or later. “Well, Ah done de bes’ Ah could. If things aint right, God knows taint mah fault.” (Page 206). Delia knows that she has been the best version of herself and that she will get through this since she is a strong woman. Later, Delia notices that Sykes is looking for the snake outside of the house. She knows that the snake is inside of the house, but she doesn’t say anything because she knows that he doesn’t deserve her help. Sykes gives up and gets on his bed which is right next to the location of the snake. The snake jumps on Sykes and bites him. Delia knows that Sykes is going to die so she just freezes and listens to him cry out.

I completely agree with Ms. Fisher Peter’s assessment of Delia. Throughout the story we constantly see the strength that Delia possesses. First, she works very hard for her belongings and doesn’t ask for help from Sykes, instead, she helps him even though he does not treat her right. When Sykes tried to hurt her feelings by helping Bertha, Delia ignored his actions and just focused on herself. Even when Sykes tried to get her out of the house by using a snake, Delia was still the stronger person and did not break down. These are all characteristics of a strong and bold woman energetically battling her problems.