Sweat By Zora Neale Hurston Essay

Life and Dreams are always justified!
Freedom to live their life in the way they want to is the right of every person in this world. The short story “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston portrays the typical condition of any women during the time period of Harlem Renaissance. During this time, women were merely considered a property of their husbands. They were oppressed and forced to live their life in the way their husbands tell them to. They had no right to oppose any decisions that their husbands make for them. They had no right to make any choices for themselves like receiving further educations, wishing to work, or becoming successful. The typical mentality of people during the time period created an atmosphere where protesting against these harassments was considered a sin. The main character of “Sweat”, Delia Jones, is one of those typical women who suffered through harassment from her husband Sykes. The story depicts how her strong attitude and patience led her to justice when her husband’s trick to scare her back-fired on him. Certainly, everyone

has to pay off for the deeds they perform. Any kind of oppression is never justified; oppression is always worth fighting.
One of the important parts of standing against the oppression forced on you is to not lose hope and believe in yourself.

When nothing else is enough to confront you, a small ray of hope that everything will be alright teaches the meaning of life. Her confidence in herself was the main pillar of strength for Delia. Even after knowing that her husband had an extra-marital affair, she was calm enough to just ignore his actions and keep living her life in a normal way. Sykes used to grab every chance he could get to make Delia feel ignored and unimportant. Even when she was in front of him, “Sykes was ordering magnificently for Bertha. It pleased him for Delia to see” (Hurston). Delia, strong in herself, simply used to walk away and disregard her husband’s cheating. Certainly, violence or getting scared of the situation in front of you is never an answer for anything. You have to stand up for justice and face the

erroneous.
Working to be successful and self-dependent can be a major aspect of opposing the injustice without violence. Delia was extremely hard-working; she used to work all seven days of the week. She had built up and was maintaining her house by washing rich peoples’ clothes. Unfortunately, Sykes could not even tolerate a little bit of self-dependency she got. Every now and then, he used to step “roughly among the whitest pile of things, kicking them helter-skelter as he crossed the room” (Hurston). This scene used to follow by Delia picking up and re-organizing those clothes. Sykes used to threaten her to quit her work by saying that “Next time, Ah’m gointer kick’em outdoors” (Hurston). However, none of his actions were able to break Delia’s determination; the white pile of clothes represents the positivity in her life; and it assured her that everything will be alright. She kept working to support her living. To be determined towards what you do is the key to achieve what you deserve.
Everyone has to pay for the deeds they perform. No one can live a completely happy life after making others unhappy. In order to terrify Delia, Sykes brought a rattlesnake home. Delia, who was scared of even small insects, was completely terrorized by the presence of that snake. But, one day, that snake attacked Sykes instead. Delia ignored Sykes yearning for rescue, and silently waited under the Chinaberry tree for his death. This scene marked Delia’s freedom; it marks the end of her sufferings that she faced due to Sykes. Certainly, Sykes had to pay off for his bad actions. He got his punishment for making Delia’s life miserable. Bad actions always results in misery and punishment.
Life is unique to everyone and everyone has the right to dream. Everyone has right to be determined and hard-working to achieve their dreams. No one can stop another person from living their life in the way they want to. Difference between men and women, rich and poor, white and black does not count when it comes to dreams and expectations of a person. No men have the right to stop their wives from working or studying further. Women are human beings and like every human being, they deserve all the happiness in the way they want from their life. Oppression, harassment, and force are never justified. “Sweat” is a perfect example of the fact that if you perform bad deeds, you can never live a happy life. Life is a unique gift; make it full of happiness for you and for others.