Zora Neale Hurston Sweat Analysis

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Most stories, it is common for the storyline to follow a three-part comic pattern of tension, release, and clarification. The three-part comic pattern signifies to readers, the events of tragedies and comedies in an order that helps them to understand the theme or idea of the reading. In Zora Neale Hurston, Sweat, the three-part comic pattern is used distinctly to enhance the analogy of sweat, and a generalist central theme. Hurston builds the tension within the story very quickly, while keeping the tension very blissful and delicate until the readers are able to perceive an emotional growth of the protagonist, Delia Jones. The release in this work of art is not typical, rather it gives the readers the expression of an expected cynical experience. …show more content…
The tension is built in a way to mimic the emotional growth of Delia as the story unfolds. It begins swift and easy like a crisp summer breeze, then transitions boldly like a lion’s roar, and returns back into a peaceful summer breeze. Sykes’ actions is the tension, and Delia’s reactions are the tension builder. The actions and boldness of the character of Delia grow from timid and calm to courageous and serene. For example, Delia is calm at the beginning when having conversations with her husband, as if she blows off what he is saying. She gives gestures and body languages of softened knees, calm walking, bent shoulders and a calm voice, which indicates tiredness. However, when a woman is tired of something, a raft or breaking point of tension is to arise. Within the story, the tension reaches its highest escalation point with the arrival of a rattlesnake by Sykes. At this very moment, the focus is turned to Delia and readers are able to see her evolve into a bold character. The timeline of the tension develops as she relentlessly strikes a defensive pose to hit Sykes and makes a commanding confession that she hates the man she married. This is the moment when readers inhale in surprise, that Delia has reached a breaking point, and is threating to tell the white folks about Sykes’ hitting
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