Introduction
What is worse than being oppressed? The victims of the oppression are oppressing it. The story by Zora Neale Hurston, called ‘Sweat,’ focuses on Delia Jones, a hardworking washwoman, and her abusive husband, Sykes. The background for the story is that it is set against the backdrop of the early 20th century. It is about one’s tale of struggle and resilience as well as a broader commentary on the role of the community. The given essay will conduct the literary analysis of Hurston’s ‘Sweat’ by addressing each literary element, such as plot, theme, setting, and text. The central message is that resistance to oppression must begin within a community since one cohesive group that defies the ideals of the oppressor is all that is needed to achieve liberation.
Theme and Community
The theme of community surfaces through the interactions and perceptions of the characters. Delia – the protagonist – finds herself isolated within her community due to her abusive husband, Sykes; hence, such isolation reflects the broader theme of community and its impact on individual lives. Hurston writes, “Delia and Sykes fought all the time now with no peaceful interludes. They slept and ate silently” (Hurston 5).
This textual evidence showcases the breakdown of community in Delia’s life. Charles states that her home, which should be a place of communal love and support, becomes a battleground devoid of communication and understanding (53). The surrounding community also plays a role in Delia’s isolation because their knowledge of Sykes’ abuse does not translate into action or support for her.
Plot, Setting, and Community
The plot cleverly integrates the concept of community into its narrative structure through the setting. Hurston sets the story in a small Florida town, where everyone knows each other’s business; thus, the setting establishes the community as a backdrop to the drama between Delia and Sykes (1). Hurston describes the town’s reaction to Sykes’ affair: “The village soon heard that Sykes had the snake, and came to see and ask questions” (6).
The sentence reveals how involved the community is in the couple’s life; however, their curiosity does not extend to helping or supporting Delia. The setting also emphasizes a close-knit community where privacy is scarce, and everyone’s actions become the subject of public discourse. The community’s passive role in the plot shows their complicity in Delia’s struggle and hardship.
Character and Community
The overall character development is tightly intertwined with the idea of community. Delia is the core protagonist, portrayed as a hardworking and resilient woman – her interactions with the community significantly shape her life. Hurston writes, “Delia nodded briefly at the men as she drove past” (3). Such a brief interaction seems inconsequential; however, it still reveals Delia’s position within her neighbors. Her nod acknowledges the presence of the community members, and it also signifies her desire to maintain a distance from them due to their lack of support in her abusive marriage. In the case of Sykes, this character is shown as antagonistic to Delia and the townspeople’s norms. His actions – bringing the snake into their home – are abusive towards Delia and defy what the townspeople deem normal. The latter is communicated by the village’s reaction to the snake.
Language and Community
The use of language is exciting in the story because it does not hesitate to directly and openly show how exactly the people talk. The author actively employs dialect and vernacular speech to depict the characters’ social backgrounds and community interactions authentically. An example is Sykes’ dialogue: “Ah aint gut tuh do nuthin’ uh de kin’–the fact is Ah aint got tuh do nothin’ but die” (Hurston 6). This use of African-American vernacular English provides insight into the cultural and social setting of the community.
Ali and Abdullah state that African American women were not only oppressed because they were Black but also because they lived in a patriarchal society (454). It is also a tool for character differentiation because how characters speak showcases their personalities and relationships. Through language, Hurston communicates the characters’ authentic emotions, inner tensions, and social standings.
Author and Community
The author uses her unique voice to illuminate the intricacies of community life in the early 20th-century African-American South. Ali and Abdullah state that Hurston was a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance, so she often explored themes of racial identity and social dynamics within black communities (453). In this story, she mainly focuses on how the community perceives and interacts with the protagonist – Delia. Hurston writes, “Too much knockin’ will ruin any ‘oman. He did beat huh ‘nough tuh kill three women, let ‘lone change they look” (3). The latter line exemplifies Hurston’s skill in capturing the communal dialogue; hence, it reflects not just individual opinions but a collective consciousness. Her narrative style engages readers in the setting and culture of her characters because there is authenticity.
Reader, Text, and Community
The reader’s engagement with the text is significantly shaped by the depiction of community within the text. Since the text is not ‘whitewashed’ but uses raw and honest expressions, the reader can fully appreciate the richness of the culture and understand their problems (Charles 55). However, it also makes the reading process challenging for someone unfamiliar with the dialect. The text’s primary merit is that it is highly immersive and unfiltered. As part of this community, the reader acts as both a spectator and a commentator on the unfolding events. Such a dual role is evident when Hurston writes, “Heah come, Delia Jones,” as Delia drives past the men in her village (3). Such a simple observation reveals the community’s awareness of Delia’s struggles and their passive role as bystanders.
Conclusion
In sum, if a community seeks to fight against oppression, such as racism, it must first fight against oppression within, such as the victimization of women. The evidence clearly showed that Hurston was not a mere writer of entertaining stories – she advocated for social justice and gender equality. In my life, I have known many people who would complain about one issue while forgetting that they are partly causing it. An acquaintance of mine seems to care about the environment, but he regularly uses single-use plastic items. It is time to have an open and honest national conversation about how regular people, not just the elites or politicians, are causing the problems.
Works Cited
Ali, Ruqaya Q., and Yasir M. Abdullah. “Zora Neale Hurston’s Sweat and The Beauvoirian Concept of Otherness.” Iraqi Academic Scientific Journals, vol. 3, no. 34, 2023, pp. 453-461. Web.
Charles, Julia S. “Fraternal Fractures: Marriage, Masculinity, and Malicious Menfolk in Zora Neale Hurston’s ‘Sweat’ and ‘Magnolia Flower.’” Women’s Studies, vol. 50, no. 1, 2021, pp. 48-60. Web.
Hurston, Z. Neale. Sweat. Fire, 1926.