2. What does the narrator say that the men on Joe's porch do with the cane-knots on the day Sykes and Bertha come to the store, due to the extreme heat?

3. On what day of the week does Delia collect and deliver clothes using her pony and buckboard?

4. When Delia picks up an object and strikes a pose after being threatened by Sykes, what does the narrator state as the action that Sykes refrains from performing, though he usually would perform it right away in such a situation?

5. What does Delia say Sykes had brought to their marriage?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is meant by the piece of narration that states, "It was plain that the breaches must remain agape" (6)?

2. How is the reader made aware that Delia used to love Sykes and still could if he would only change his behavior?

3. What does Sykes's bullwhip symbolize within the story?

4. In what ways does Sykes's character emerge within the story's very first featured encounter between Sykes and Delia?

5. How does the author depict Sykes as being childish?

6. How is the role of community portrayed within the scene on Joe Clarke's porch?

7. What is shown about Delia's character traits in the very first paragraph of the story?

8. In what season does the story begin its narrative and what does this choice by the author symbolize?

9. Describe the symbolism of the iron skillet.

10. What behaviors does Delia display that demonstrate her familiarity with Sykes's abusive behaviors?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author's use of figurative language within the story Sweat and how the use of these literary devices helps her to get across particular thematic elements of the story.