Foreshadowing and Irony in “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston

The short story Sweat, by Zora Neale Hurston, seems to exemplify the epitome of a unstable marriage. Hurston customs foretell and irony to demonstrate the disintegrated bloodd between the abusive husband and the quick wife. Throughout the story, it becomes obvious that the husband does non oblige by the motto, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Hurstons usance of irony and foreshadowing helps reveal the item that the mature leave behind prevail and Sykes go out finally get what he deserves. From the really beginning, the reader notices the psychological and verbal shame that Sykes puts on Delia.It was a Sun twenty-four hours and Delia trenchant to get ahead on her practice for the week by separating piles of tog by color. Fear then came upon her when something long, round, limp, and abusive fell upon her shoulder and slithered to the floor beside her (355). Sykes cocksucker whip, mistaken for a ophidian in the grass, invokes great holy terror (35 5) and extreme fear in Delia, foreshadowing an core that is to come in the future. It in addition demonstrates the distant relationship between Sykes and Delia. With h nonpareilst knowledge of Delias fear of snakes, Sykes continues to mend her with them throughout the story.While Delia smoothens to the conquest of her husband, Sykes well-nigh commits these acts as torture. Because of Hurstons starchy use of irony, it is evident that one day Delia will prevail and a confidential information to Sykes fate is provided that one day he will be haunted by a snake as well. Delia is plainly the breadwinner of the family and works hard to support two herself and Sykes. Unfortunately, Sykes takes this for granted by taking payoff of the free housing while humannessner of speaking his rarely earned money to drop d protest on other women.Fully sensitive of this, Delia mentions that whatever goes over the Devils back is got to come under his belly. erstwhile(prenominal) or ruther, Syke, ilk everybody else, is gointer reap his sowing (357). The use of irony here demonstrated that what goes round, comes just about and once again implys to Sykes fate. M whatsoever more indications throughout the story seem to allude to Sykes death. The other men in the town seem to disrespect Sykes and even suggest that he should die. While Delia started to deliver the unobjectionable laundry in town one ay, the men talked about how Delia is too good for Sykes and that she deserves better, They also despise Sykes for running around with an ugly and fat woman, ultimately swindle on his hardworking wife. Finally, one man says, Syke Jones aint wuth de shot an powderise hit would tek tuh kill em. Not to huh he aint (357) while other man adds, an we oughter kill im (358). It seems like Hurston portrays this disgust to reiterate to the reader that Sykes will fall victim to a well deserved death. Perhaps the closely important event in the story occurs when Sykes brings h ome a huge six-foot living snake.Fear once again overcomes Delia and she pleads, Syke Syke, mah Gawd You take dat rattler way from heah You gottuh. Oh, Jesus, have mussy (360). Sykes, on the other hand, stands in amusement almost as if he loves to see Delia psychologically abused. His cockiness unravels as he acts like he is invincible and like anyone and anything should and will comply with him. In regards to the enormous snake, Sykes boasts, He wouldnt bite me cause Ah knows how tuh handel im (360). He makes sure to instill fear into Delia by telling her to be careful because the snake would have no problem coming after her.Hurston also has Sykes portray his own death. In this same scene, Sykes reply to Delias request of getting rid of the snake is, Ah aint got to do nuthin uh de kin fact is Ah aint got tuh do nothin but die (360). This statement solely means that Sykes will not get word to Delia at anytime and enjoys torturing her in any way possible. He admits that he would instead die than give Delia the pleasure of take at any moment. This scenario is perhaps the most ironic because it is this same snake that takes Sykes invigoration once and for all.