Sweat

The short story "Sweat" is a portrayal of a woman who must endure terrible hardships to find a small bit of peace in her life. The main character, Delia Jones survives years of her husband's cruel psychological and physical treatment in a community that does nothing to help her. Fortunately Sykes, her husband is killed by a rattlesnake when his cruel joke abruptly turns on him. Delia plays a passive role in his death to …

…When Sykes dies, the sun has finally risen. The light of goodness shines in the celebration of evil's death. Delia Jones is finally able to find her inner peace in the conclusion of this short story. Through Hurston's use of point of view, setting, symbolization, the role of race, and the treatment of women the reader can become informed about the life long struggle of being a woman and being black in the era of 1926.