Delia's Symbolism In The Short Story 'Sweat'

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What Comes Around Goes Around Symbolism, society, and characterization help create the theme of the short story Sweat. The symbolism of many objects such as the bed, clothes, iron skillet help develop Delia’s character which contributes to the theme of the story. Characterization of Sykes and Delia help to build the theme of Sweat by knowing what goes on in their lives. The setting of the short story helps create the tone of Sykes’ and Delia’s society which adds to the theme as well. The symbolism of Sweat begins with the role of Delia, the spouse of Sykes Jones. Delia is a hard-working wife that hardly ever has time to do activities for herself because she’s too busy waiting for her unfaithful husband. Delia is a washwoman, which entails loads of clothes to wash. By washing the clothes and making them clean, symbolizes Delia’s purity. Sykes doesn’t appreciate Delia’s hard work at all though. “Sykes, you quit grindin' dirt into these clothes!”, Said Delia. In a marriage, a bed for a …show more content…

Sykes Jones is an unfaithful, conniving, and an abusive husband. Sykes cheated on his wife, Delia, and never felt sorry for his sin. Sykes even had the nerve to ask Delia to move out of their house so Bertha, his mistress, could move in with him. Delia was beaten by Sykes when she did no wrong. Sykes became so upset with Delia that he brought a snake into the house to run her out of the house and never come back. Delia is a hard-working, strong, and smart. Delia worked for white folks across the railroad tracks and washed clothes for them for a living. Whenever Sykes beat Delia, she decided to stay in the house because she wanted to stand firm and stand her ground. When Delia saw the snake in the in her laundry basket, she ran in the barn and stayed until Sykes was killed by the snake later that night in his bed. Delia was quick-witted by staying away from the house until she knew the coast was

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