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Zora Neale Hurston Sweat Analysis

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Zora Neale Hurston Sweat Analysis
The Despondent Launderer Sweat, by Zora Neale Hurston, tells the story of one woman’s struggle against the husband that has become the overwhelming source of her unhappiness. Hurston does this effectively by the use of exquisite symbolism. Delia often brings home a pile of clothes from work to wash. These clothes are repeatedly used as representation for the current state of Delia’s life, usually in direct correspondence to Sykes, her husband. Sykes, being the constant pest he is, often complains to Delia,saying ‘Ah done tole you time and again to keep them white folks’ clothes outa dis house”(1). This quote could possibly be related to racism, however, it has an underlying meaning. Delia sorts the clothes almost like she sorts her
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