Free Essay on How Gender Informs Our Understanding of Emily in "A Rose for Emily" and Delia in "Sweat"

The story "Sweat" by Zora is about an abusive relationship between Delia and Skyes Jones. Delia is presented as a hardworking and faithful wife, but his husband is quite the opposite. First, Skyes uses Delia's weaknesses to traumatise her. At the beginning of the story, Skyes approaches Delia from behind and places a bullwhip on her shoulders. Skyes knew Delia had a fear of snakes, and his prank was ill-intentioned. Moreover, Skyes does not respect Delia's hard work. Although a husband should provide and cherish his wife, Skyes does neither and does not express gratitude for whatever Delia does.

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Other than cruel pranks and emotional abuse, Skyes regularly abuses his wife, calling her "a big fool', "hypocrite," and "nigger woman" (Berke et al., 708). He also shows disregard for his wife's work. At one time, he stomps on the laundry Deila has been washing. He diminishes his wife's work, and although he keeps abusing his wife emotionally and physically, he demands respect from her. Skyes also has a mistress and stays away from home. He cheats on his wife and has no remorse. In the end, Delia stands up for herself, and she no longer remains submissive. The story analyses gender inequality and female oppression in marriages showing that women are oppressed even when they are hardworking and respectful.

"A Rose for Emily" focuses on Emily, a young girl who is on the lookout for love, but her controlling father restricts her from searching for love. His father believes that Emily is incapable of choosing the right man who will meet the family standards. Emily is conflicted between looking for true love or conforming to her father's will and letting him choose a man for her. Emily lives in a patriarchal society where men control their financial, economic, social, and romantic decisions. Emily struggles for freedom and, in the end, refuses to behave as expected. Even when the city authorities come to ask for tax, she tells them, "I have no taxes in Jefferson" (Faulkner 2). Emily rebels against the old patriarchal order, represented by her dead father. After his death, Emily becomes financially and emotionally vulnerable. She is left alone with no job. She tries to get jobs but is not successful. However, "Emily is no timid, weak southern belle" (Analysis of "A Rose for Emily" 4). Determined to live life on her terms, Emily succeeds in controlling time and circumstance.

The two stories address the issue of female oppression and how women are forced to conform to patriarchal societies and what men want them to do. However, the main protagonists in both stories refuse to be controlled and choose their paths. The two women manage to forge their paths and free themselves from the clutches of society.

Works Cited

Analysis of "A Rose for Emily". Questions for Study, 2015.

Berke, Amy, et al. Writing the Nation: A Concise Introduction to American Literature 1865 to Present. Center for Open Education, University of North Georgia Press, 2015.

Faulkner, William. A rose for Emily. Paderborn, De: Verlag F. Schoningh, 1958.