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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What kind of nuts had Sykes brought as a present to help him woo one of the men's wives?

2. For how long has Delia been doing people's laundry to bring in money?

3. Jim says that Sykes has always been crazy about what kind of women?

4. Elijah says that Sykes has beaten Delia enough to kill how many women?

5. What simile does Hurston use to characterize Delia's throwing off of her most habitual character trait?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Delia's knowledge that Sykes is out with her pony and carriage worry her?

2. How does Sykes react to Delia's questions whenever she asks him a question?

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

4. At what point does the author show the first change in Delia's character and how does she portray this change?

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

6. What is the significance of Joe Clarke's pronouncement that some men treat women like pieces of sugar-cane?

7. Why does Delia stay up so much later on Sunday nights than on any other night of the week and how does Sykes find fault with this practice?

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

9. What is demonstrated about Sykes's character when the narrator states, "It pleased him for Delia to see" (3) him ordering for Bertha at the store?

10. In what ways do the men on Joe Clarke's porch express admiration of Delia?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of rebirth within the story Sweat.

Essay Topic 2

What is signified by Delia's worry that Sykes is out with her horse and carriage at the start of the story and how does her worry relate to the themes inherent in the story?

Essay Topic 3

What is the role of sexuality within the short story Sweat?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,074 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample