In the story, "Sweat" written by Zora Neale Hurston, the author described her story to the protagonist Delia Jones who has obstacles in life and she has been abused by her husband Sykes. She seems to have the worst life ever, full of endless manual labor, physical exhaustion, abuse and tears. The title of "Sweat" in this story, it seems very straightforward meaning in Delia's lives, the word of sweat has been implied in connotation and denotation way.
Delia worked as washerwomen; she lived in southern society, as working class African Americans. She had a habit to get start her week earlier so she start to work after she's gone to church, Sunday night. .
In the 1920's, the washing machine was not popular and only certain people could afford to buy washing machine. I believe she used her hands and washboard. This is a hardworking and dirty job; it required extra energy and a good stamina. She literally sweats to do this king a job, Delia must had hard working job. It is not easy job, especially for woman. And yet, her husband Sykes, he didn't help Delia. He hated her job instead helping her, because she was doing the laundry for white people. Delia's marriage was "Sweat", meaning not pleasant, she had a problem with her husband Sykes. Delia had been mistreated by Sykes, he did something wasn't appropriate to Delia. He knows Delia was scare with snake, but her husband used his bullwhip to scare her that she thought was snake. Delia was angry because Sykes purposefully made it look like a snake and she scolds him. he does not seem concerned with her feeling. He disrespected Delia and abused her, because he knows she couldn't fight back and one will help her. Not only abused her, Sykes had another woman and he slept with her. He spends all of Delia's money to buy gifts for his mistress Bertha. The marriage between Delia and Sykes, it seems "Sweat", she lives with abusive and unfaithful husband, and she has to deal with him every day.
