Works Cited Preliminary Page Next week you will be completing a research paper on one of the works you read during this course. To prepare for writing the paper, choose the work you will write about a

Bacuylima 5

Jennifer Bacuylima

ENC 1102

Dr. Ruiz

11/10/2024

Sweat and Bullet Analysis

In “Sweat,” Zora Neale Hurston tells the story of Delia Jones, a hardworking, oppressed woman whose marriage to the abusive Sykes has become a prison. The story opens with Delia doing her work as a laundress late into the night, driven by a need for efficiency, while her husband Sykes uses cruel tricks, such as throwing a bull whip that resembles a snake to terrify her. This action reflects both Sykes's cruelty and Delia’s ongoing fear. Hurston’s portrayal of Delia’s daily struggles drew my interest, as it effectively showcases a theme of endurance and resilience in the face of adversity.

Hurston’s “Sweat” highlight’s important themes of oppression, independence, and resilience, especially through Delia’s character, who silently suffers yet remains determined to sustain her home. The story employs a vivid, realistic style reflective of its time, the Harlem Renaissance, which sought to capture the lives and voices of African Americans in the South (Hurston). Hurston’s dialect-rich dialogue and descriptive prose create a strong sense of place and time, contrasting with Tobias Wolff’s “Bullet in the Brain,” which has a contemporary, concise style. This difference in style reflects each work’s respective era, with Hurston’s longer narrative descriptions mirroring the cultural nuances of early 20th-century African American life, whereas Wolff’s brevity aligns with modern storytelling (Wolff). Both stories, though distinct in tone and time period, depict protagonists trapped by external forces—Delia by her husband and Anders by his cynicism—connecting on a thematic level.

A similar theme of entrapment appears in Wolff’s “Bullet in the Brain,” where Anders, a jaded literary critic, becomes trapped in his own critical mindset, leading to his tragic downfall. In Hurston’s “Sweat,” Delia faces literal entrapment within her abusive marriage, and her struggle for autonomy mirrors Anders’s internal imprisonment by his own bitterness (Hurston). Both stories suggest that personal liberation can come at a significant cost. This parallel enhances my interpretation of “Sweat,” as Hurston’s portrayal of Delia’s struggle emphasizes resilience, while Wolff’s protagonist illustrates the consequences of a life constrained by negativity.

Evaluation of Hurston’s Work - Strengths and Weaknesses

“Sweat” is a powerful narrative that vividly captures the challenges faced by women like Delia, giving voice to African American women’s experiences in the early 20th century. Hurston’s strong imagery and mastery of dialect make the story compelling, allowing readers to feel Delia’s tension and resilience. However, the narrative's focus on Delia’s suffering might feel heavy-handed for some, as it spends limited time exploring her inner thoughts beyond her pain (Hurston). This choice could be seen as a shortcoming, as it may distance readers from a deeper understanding of her psyche. Nevertheless, Hurston’s storytelling captures her audience’s empathy for Delia’s plight and builds a sense of justice through the story’s resolution.

Conclusion and Recommendation

I would recommend “Sweat” to readers because of its timeless themes of endurance and personal strength. Hurston’s writing provides insight into the struggles of marginalized individuals, and her strong narrative can inspire readers to reflect on issues of gender, race, and resilience. For readers, “Sweat” serves as both a window into the past and a timeless tale that reinforces the importance of self-respect and courage in the face of adversity.

Work Cited

Hurston, Zora Neale. “Sweat”. 21 January 2013. https://biblioklept.org/2013/01/21/sweat-zora-neale-hurston/. November10 2024.

Wolff, Tobias. Bullet in the Brain. 17 September 1995. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1995/09/25/bullet-in-the-brain. 10 September 2024.