Foreshadowing and Irony in “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston

The short floor Sweat, by Zora Neale Hurston, looks to exemplify the epitome of a great(p) marriage. Hurston uses foreshadowing and irony to demonstrate the disintegrated family between the abusive economise and the diligent 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 use of irony and foreshadowing helps reveal the fact that the total allow for prevail and Sykes will finally get what he deserves. From the very beginning, the reader notices the psychological and vocal abuse that Sykes puts on Delia.It was a Sunday and Delia decided to get before on her work for the week by separating piles of clothes by color. Fear then came upon her when something long, round, limp, and black fell upon her shoulder and slithered to the floor beside her (355). Sykes falsify whip, mistaken for a snake, invokes great terror (355) and extreme fear in Delia, foreshadowing an event that is to come in the future. It also demonstrates the distant relationship between Sykes and Delia. With full knowledge of Delias fear of snakes, Sykes continues to haunt her with them end-to-end the story.While Delia falls to the oppression of her husband, Sykes almost commits these acts as torture. Because of Hurstons punishing use of irony, it is evident that one day Delia will prevail and a clue to Sykes fate is provided that one day he will be haunted by a snake as intimately. Delia is obviously the breadwinner of the family and plant flavor hard to support both herself and Sykes. Unfortunately, Sykes takes this for granted by taking wages of the free housing while saving his rarely earned money to spend on other women.Fully aware of this, Delia mentions that whatever goes everywhere the Devils back is got to come under his belly. Sometime or ruther, Syke, like everybody else, is gointer reap his sowing (357). The use of irony here demonstrated that what goes near, comes around and once agown(prenominal) alludes to Sykes fate. Many more indications throughout the story manipulatem to allude to Sykes death. The other men in the town seem to neglect Sykes and even suggest that he should die. While Delia started to deliver the clean wash drawing 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, at long last cheating on his hardworking wife. Finally, one man says, Syke Jones personalt wuth de shot an powder hit would tek tuh kill em. Not to huh he aint (357) while another man adds, an we oughter kill im (358). It seems like Hurston portrays this abhorrence to reiterate to the reader that Sykes will fall victim to a well deserved death. Perhaps the most important event in the story occurs when Sykes brings home a huge six-foot living snake.Fear once once again overcomes Delia and she pleads, Syke Syke, mah Gawd You take dat rattl esnake 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 unbeatable 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 chore coming after her.Hurston also has Sykes portray his own death. In this uniform 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 only means that Sykes will not listen to Delia at anytime and enjoys torturing her in any way possible. He admits that he would rather die than give Delia the pleasure of control at any moment. This scenario is perhaps the most ironic because it i s this same snake that takes Sykes life once and for all.