Zora Neale Hurston's "Sweat"

“Oh well, whatever goes over the devil’s back, is got to come under his belly. Sometime or ruther, Sykes, like everybody else is gointer reap his sowing.” Zora Neale Hurston’s Sweat, part 1

In Zora Neale Hurston’s, “Sweat” we witness the physical and emotionally abusive relationship protagonist Delia Jones endures. A devout Christian and wash-woman, the timid Delia finally stands up to her long-time abusive husband, Sykes, armed with an iron skillet. She is aware that her husband has been having an extramarital affair with a robust woman named Bertha, and as Delia maintains her work and “wifely” duties, her husband Sykes remains both cold and indifferent towards her. Members of the community who have held witness to this as well informally suggests that someone should kill Sykes and his mistress for how he treats his hard-working wife. Nonetheless, after standing up to him for the first time, Delia recites the above-mentioned quote.

Throughout the story, readers will find Biblical and spiritual references. The story makes the antagonist, Sykes, not just the villain but the devil himself. Nonetheless, as the basis of Christian belief is founded upon, each action has a subsequent reaction. Consequences are dealt by God himself. While Karma is named differently in this respect, the concept remains the same. Instead, Delia proclaims that Sykes will eventually “reap what he sows” or gets what he gives/deserves. The quote in itself foreshadows the story’s conclusion. As Sykes brings home a snake (also a Biblical reference to the devil) to frighten Delia and get her out of the place he promised his mistress, we find that Delia’s confident resolution occurred just as she had anticipated.

In the midst of broken English and soft parables, the reader finds the story conclusion to be anything but ironic. Some might consider what happened to Sykes coincidental, but since the Bible in itself reminds its followers that “Enemies shall be made one’s footstool,” the fact that Sykes called out for Delia in his final moments in need of her help proves the concept of God’s provision to be so. Zora Neale Hurston embeds Biblical references throughout this story to help readers stumble upon the underlying message. It is often said, especially in Southern places like the one Delia is evidently from, that “when a man is digging a hole for someone, he better dig two.” Simply meaning that ill-treatment against others is often rewarded with self-destruction.