Theme Of Patience In Sweat By Zora Neale Hurston

The saying “Patience is Virtue” can be applied to many aspects of life and allow one to sit back and view karma work its magic. Not many individuals are able to possess this quality, but any person who does will obtain the better aspects of life. Based on author Zora Neale Hurston’s short story, “Sweat”, Hurston demonstrates how a couple’s marriage gradually disintegrates and patience always exceeds malicious tendencies.
One’s malicious tendencies can surface from one’s word usage, implementing a mental strain to individuals in their proximity. Sykes, Delia’s husband, seems as if he has always been the problem in the marriage in which he displays characteristics of an evil or cruel person by the manner in which he interacts with his wife.

Sykes states that he “oughter mash [Delia] in [her] mouf” conveying a negative and unpleasant tone for his wife and the reader (Hurston, 178). One can perceive that Delia and Sykes’s marriage has disintegrated completely in which respect has evidently vanished. It is very unfortunate that Delia is the one tolerates Sykes’s heinous behavior, being that she is the only one who brings bread to the table and he repays her by unjustly abusing her and spending time with his mistress.
One’s persona is illustrated within their actions.

Delia is interpreted as a hardworking individual in whom all she does is collect, wash and delivers clothes through “hot or col’, rain or shine […]” (Hurston, 179). It is startling to note that Delia’s contributions and efforts are what payed for their household and bills. My perception of Sykes’s is that he has undoubtedly took on a differing gender role being that women in that time period usually contributed to other household activities and didn’t contribute most of their income to paying of the house. Delia indeed seems as if she is the “man” of the household because of her

diligence.
Abusive behavior in a marriage can take a dramatic toll on one’s spouse’s reputation. As presented in Hurston’s short story, Delia’s persona has been described as “pretty” before she married Sykes. Comparatively, the village men in the community note how “too much knockin’ will ruin any [woman]” (Hurston 178). The village man’s dialogue conveys how the word “knockin” is used in reference to abusing a person. It is certainly unfair that Delia withstood Sykes’s outbursts. Sykes’s is definitely unappreciative of Delia and her efforts to form a stable union with him even if “debris [has] cluttered their matrimonial trail” (Hurston, 177). This is an accurate exemplification of how the person you marry or end up with can influence others to obtain a positive or negative perception of one because of such mental and physical strain one has implemented onto their spouse.
One may find it very ironic that one’s mischievous plan in which one desires for it to be a complete success can take a drastic turn of events.

Author Hurston notes that Sykes’s eye was “shining with hope” (Hurston , 185). One can envision how Sykes’s only hope was Delia’s assistance; however, she Hurston’s word usage illuminated the fact that Sykes desired a second chance at life, but his spiteful persona and actions tarnished his opportunity. This scenario depicts how when one is caught in an unfavorable circumstance, the person they have hurt the most is sometimes too affected to even act in a timely manner. At most times, it is often too late to reach for help when all a person has done is implemented unnecessary pain and suffering upon their spouse or individuals in their

proximity.
One aspect that startled me is that karma can be displayed through one’s evil intentions and repay one with the same or even worse treatment. Sykes desires to utilize Delia’s fear of snakes to his advantage by planting one right by their kitchen in hopes that it will injure or kill her (Hurston, 181). Assuredly, this coveys how one’s cruel intentions do not always plan out accordingly. This is a representation of when one is in need; he/she disregards the pain and hardships they have implemented into the life of their spouse. Truly, Sykes’s persona evokes how selfish of an individual he is because he does not genuinely care for Delia; yet, he cares for his own wellbeing when danger strikes.
One can definitely form their own interpretation of Hurston’s work; yet, I perceive this short story to be an exemplification of how patience is in fact virtue being that Delia withstood Sykes’s mistreatment toward her and received a mighty recompense after everything unraveled. Delia, from the commencement, accepted the mistreatment because she did not obtain a choice. I feel as if this short story implicates how relationships much like Delia and Sykes’s are very much present in today’s society. In addition, Hurston’s work implicates that patience is what ultimately allows one to break free from the pain and suffering one might endure in one’s lifetime. Throughout the story, Hurston has proven that violence and force do not diminish one’s problems; yet, the key is being patient and allowing nature to take its course.