The short stories, “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston and “The Storm” by Kate Chopin both portray the conflict between a woman’s family responsibility vs. personal desire. The leading characters, Delia Sykes in “Sweat,” and Calixta in “The Storm” both experience conflict dealing with personal fulfilment and social restraint in a male dominated society. Unlike Calixta, Delia is a faithful, married God fearing woman who diligently works to maintain the home. However, throughout the course of the marriage, Delia grows tired of the abuse she endures, and the love she no longer feels towards her husband. In contrast, Calixta, the main character is the wife and mother who fulfills her duties in her own time and manner, is unhappy and restless in her marriage
…show more content…
In the beginning of the story, Calixta “sat at a side window sewing furiously on a sewing machine. She was greatly occupied and did not notice the approaching storm…It began to grow dark, and suddenly realizing the situation she got up hurriedly and went about closing the windows and doors.” Calixta is introduced as a devoted wife who loves her family and works hard to make their home better. (Chopin, Chap II). Bobinot, Calixta 's husband was introduced as a caring husband and father who would do anything to avoid getting into trouble with his wife. During the storm, Calixta and Alcee have an affair. However, the house chores represent the restraints in Calixta’s marriage and the need for sexuality. When Alcee entered the house, Calixta tried to repress her sexual urge for Alcee by keeping Bobinot and Bibi in mind, but was overpowered by her sexual need. “Alcee flung himself into a rocker and Calixta nervously began to gather up from the floor the lengths of a cotton sheet which she had been sewing (Chopin, Chap II). Calixta was still sexually attracted to Alcee, decided to put everything aside and fulfill her personal desire. After the affair, Calixta becomes a happier individual and is happy to see her husband and son. She never shows any remorse, guilt, or …show more content…
Yet, she managed to survive years of cruel treatment all while maintaining a job to provide for her and her husband’s home. “Lookah here, Sykes, you done gone too fur. Ah been married to you fur fifteen years, and ah been takin’ in washin fur fifteen years, Sweat, sweat, sweat! Work and sweat, cry and sweat…Mah sweat is done paid for this house and Ah reckon Ah kin keep on sweating in it.” (Hurston 350). Delia continuously works hard and never complains about the lack of help from her husband. Instead, she continues to work hard in order to provide for herself and her spouse. At the time, her husband gambled, had outside marital affairs, and did whatever he pleased. Nevertheless, Delia finally stood up to her husband and said “Ah hates you tuh the same degree that Ah useter love yuh.” (Hurston). For the first time, Delia spoke up to her husband, marking a transformation in her life. Out of spite, Sykes, knowing his wife had a fear of snakes, brought a rattle snake into the house to prank his wife. In the end, the snake ironically ends up killing Sykes. Delia 's attitude toward her marriage changed because she grew tired of the life she endured with her husband Sykes. She decided it was time to move on and start life elsewhere, without
In the beginning of the story, Calixta “sat at a side window sewing furiously on a sewing machine. She was greatly occupied and did not notice the approaching storm…It began to grow dark, and suddenly realizing the situation she got up hurriedly and went about closing the windows and doors.” Calixta is introduced as a devoted wife who loves her family and works hard to make their home better. (Chopin, Chap II). Bobinot, Calixta 's husband was introduced as a caring husband and father who would do anything to avoid getting into trouble with his wife. During the storm, Calixta and Alcee have an affair. However, the house chores represent the restraints in Calixta’s marriage and the need for sexuality. When Alcee entered the house, Calixta tried to repress her sexual urge for Alcee by keeping Bobinot and Bibi in mind, but was overpowered by her sexual need. “Alcee flung himself into a rocker and Calixta nervously began to gather up from the floor the lengths of a cotton sheet which she had been sewing (Chopin, Chap II). Calixta was still sexually attracted to Alcee, decided to put everything aside and fulfill her personal desire. After the affair, Calixta becomes a happier individual and is happy to see her husband and son. She never shows any remorse, guilt, or …show more content…
Yet, she managed to survive years of cruel treatment all while maintaining a job to provide for her and her husband’s home. “Lookah here, Sykes, you done gone too fur. Ah been married to you fur fifteen years, and ah been takin’ in washin fur fifteen years, Sweat, sweat, sweat! Work and sweat, cry and sweat…Mah sweat is done paid for this house and Ah reckon Ah kin keep on sweating in it.” (Hurston 350). Delia continuously works hard and never complains about the lack of help from her husband. Instead, she continues to work hard in order to provide for herself and her spouse. At the time, her husband gambled, had outside marital affairs, and did whatever he pleased. Nevertheless, Delia finally stood up to her husband and said “Ah hates you tuh the same degree that Ah useter love yuh.” (Hurston). For the first time, Delia spoke up to her husband, marking a transformation in her life. Out of spite, Sykes, knowing his wife had a fear of snakes, brought a rattle snake into the house to prank his wife. In the end, the snake ironically ends up killing Sykes. Delia 's attitude toward her marriage changed because she grew tired of the life she endured with her husband Sykes. She decided it was time to move on and start life elsewhere, without