Allegory Delia

Nevertheless, towards the end of the allegory Delia climbs the Chinaberry tree for shelter because of the snake that Sykes left loose around their house. He did it with the intention of scaring or possibly to kill his wife. Delia stated “Sykes, Ah wants you yuh take dat snake away fum heah, you down starve me” (1037). It was also said that after Delia heard Sykes scream and knew that he was dead that “she could sacredly reach the Chinaberry tree where she waited in the growing heat while inside she knew the cold river was creeping up and up to extinish the eye” (1040). Delia is basically getting a sign of relief since Sykes is now gone. But she stays on the Chinaberry tree. This tree has significant meaning to slavery. It was toxic herbal
tree used for sores, lesion and swelling in the body for healing. Slave would also use the Chinaberry tree for shade because during those hot summer days. Slave was always to be outside picking cotton or working.