Similarities Between Mrs. Mallard And Delia

In today’s society, women are independent, have their own voice, and hold job positions that were once never available to them. Before the enactment of women’s rights, women were confined to the lives of their husband’s. Mrs. Mallard and Delia are two very different women who share similarities in their current state of life. Mrs. Mallard understands the “right” way for women to behave within society, is constantly looked after by her peers, and realizes the powers that men and her husband are granted within their society. Delia is a hard-working African-American woman who is the breadwinner within her marriage and plays the role that her husband would be expected to play. Both of these women go through unanticipated life changing experiences
Mallard. Delia is hardworking, the breadwinner of her family, and lives a life full of both verbal and physical abuse from her husband Sykes. Unlike Mrs. Mallard, Delia has been working day in and day out for the past fifteen years to make money and does so by washing clothes. “She was on her feet; her poor little body, her bare knuckly hands bravely defying the strapping hulk before her” (Hurston 17). Unlike the description of Mrs. Mallard, we can clearly see that Delia has been steady at work over the years and relies on herself to make money. Delia plays the role of the breadwinner in her marriage which is very uncommon for women during this time in society. Delia has purchased the home that she and Sykes live in, pays for the food that they both consume and her clothes washing business is the only source of income. On a daily basis Sykes both verbally and physically abuses Delia and makes her days a living hell. Not only is being abusive apart of Sykes everyday routine, he openly cheats on Delia also. Despite all of this, Delia continues to work hard and make the money she needs to so that she can provide for both herself and Sykes. "Ah been married to you fur fifteen years, and Ah been takin' in washin' for fifteen years. Sweat, sweat, sweat." (Hurston 18). Even though Sykes hasn’t contributed towards any of the money earned in the past fifteen years, Delia is still casted in her husband’s shadow because like Mrs. Mallard, they are both trapped in a time where a woman can not be themselves and are only seen by the lives that their husbands live. “Mah tub of suds is filled yo' belly with vittles more times than yo' hands is filled it.” (Hurston 20). Delia has fed Sykes for fifteen years and receives no thanks. Sykes has become accustomed to sitting around, cheating on his wife, and causing havoc for Delia. Sykes plays many tricks on Delia and finally after fifteen years Delia has had enough and speaks up for herself.