View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. The bullwhip is described by the narrator as long, round, limp, and what?

2. What title does the narrator ascribe to Delia's job of doing other people's laundry?

3. What "habitual" character trait of Delia's seems "to slip from her shoulders" (1) after Sykes threatens her with physical violence?

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

5. What word does the narrator use to describe Delia's thoughts about her garden?

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

4. What is the significance of Delia's comment that she does not want to fight with Sykes because she has just come back from church services?

5. What is ironic about Sykes's stating that his reason for ordering Delia to cease taking in laundry from white folks is that he has promised God that she will do so?

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

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

8. Describe the symbolism of the iron skillet.

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

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

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 2

Discuss how the author uses various characterization methods to depict the protagonist of the story, Delia.

Essay Topic 3

Perform a Marxist criticism of the short story Sweat.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,006 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample