"Sweat" by Zora Neale Hurston
This character analysis essay must focus on a character from one of the three short stories that we read in class. You must use adjectives to describe the character, called character traits, based on your interpretation of the character. Your writing will be directed to an audience who has already read the story and would like to understand the story’s deeper meaning and significance.
website for 3 short stories
https://biblioklept.org/2013/01/21/sweat-zora-neale-hurston/
https://poestories.com/read/amontillado
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/theliteratureofprescription/exhibitionAssets/digitalDocs/The-Yellow-Wall-Paper.pdf
Title of Short Story: "Sweat" by Zora Neale Hurston
Thesis statement: Delia Jones, through her resilience and determination, challenges the social norms of the time, highlighting the need for empowerment and liberation of women.
Topic sentence 1: Delia's character traits of strength and endurance reveal her ability to withstand oppression.
Quote 1: "Delia's work-worn knees crawled over the earth in Gethsemane and up the rocks of Calvary many, many times during these months." (Hurston)
Analysis of quote 1: This quote illustrates Delia's physical labor and the hardships she endures, demonstrating her resilience despite the challenges she faces.
Quote 2: "She had brought love to the union and he had brought a longing after the flesh." (Hurston)
Analysis of quote 2: Delia's commitment to her marriage contrasts with her husband's selfish desires, highlighting her strength in maintaining the relationship despite his faults.
Quote 3: "The voice of her dream was cold as ice." (Hurston)
Analysis of quote 3: Delia's dreams represent her aspirations for a better life, and her ability to confront the harsh reality indicates her determination to rise above her circumstances.
Topic sentence 2: Delia's actions challenge societal expectations and empower her to assert her independence.
Quote 1: "She would not move until she had finished her work, then she would put the whole world out of her house." (Hurston)
Analysis of quote 1: Delia's refusal to leave her home until she completes her work shows her dedication to her responsibilities and her unwillingness to be controlled by others.
Quote 2: "Delia went on with her work, but she felt a new strength." (Hurston)
Analysis of quote 2: Despite her husband's cruelty, Delia finds inner strength through her work, symbolizing her growing independence and self-reliance.
Quote 3: "She had been squeezed and wrung out, and now she was quiet." (Hurston)
Analysis of quote 3: Delia's newfound tranquility represents her liberation from the oppressive relationship and a sense of empowerment as she takes control of her own life.
Topic sentence 3: Delia's triumph over adversity challenges the societal norms that confine women.
Quote 1: "Delia faced him coolly." (Hurston)
Analysis of quote 1: Delia's calmness in confronting her abusive husband signifies her refusal to be intimidated by him, challenging the traditional gender roles that dictate submission.
Quote 2: "Delia was full of that oldest human longing—self-revelation." (Hurston)
Analysis of quote 2: Delia's desire for self-discovery and self-expression demonstrates her rejection of societal expectations that limit women's autonomy.
Quote 3: "She wanted to rise up to meet it with its own weapons." (Hurston)
Analysis of quote 3: Delia's determination to confront injustice head-on reveals her defiance against the oppressive forces that seek to suppress her.
Conclusion:
Delia Jones, as depicted in Zora Neale Hurston's "Sweat," embodies strength, endurance, and defiance against societal norms. Through her resilience and determination, Delia challenges the oppressive conditions she faces, highlighting the need for empowerment and liberation of women. Her character serves as an inspiration for readers, encouraging them to question social expectations and strive for independence and equality.