Character Analysis
Just what kind of woman is Mrs. Delia Jones? Is she a survivor or a victim? A saint or a sinner? A strong or a weak woman? These are questions that Hurston allows us to contemplate and answer for ourselves.
Meek & Mild
Right off the bat, we know that Delia is the breadwinner:
She was a wash-woman, and Monday morning meant a great deal to her. (1)
Not only does she work, she's also tidy and meticulous in her profession. In that sense, she's strong because she supports herself and her no-good husband.
Of course, we have to ask ourselves why she lets Sykes kick her clothes around and create more work for her, and why she allows him to stay when she knows he's cheating on her. The reason behind her initial meekness may stem from the simple fact that she is a woman, and women didn't have many rights in the 1920s South. Or, it could be because Sykes beats her and she's scared that if she stands up to him, he'll put her in the hospital—or worse.
Goodbye Scarves, Hello Skillets
Delia has a wondrous transformation when Sykes threatens to punch her for bringing her work home. As Hurston describes it:
Delia's habitual meekness seemed to slip from her shoulders like a blown scarf. (18)
From that moment on, Delia is a new woman and her first act of defiance is to challenge her husband's violent threat with one of her own:
She seized the iron skillet from the stove and struck a defensive pose, which act surprised [Sykes] greatly, coming from her. (21)
Her small body, once abused by her husband, is now seen as powerful and intimidating.
Nobody Puts Delia in a Corner
The new Delia has more to say to Sykes:
That ole snaggle-toothed black woman you runnin' with aint comin' heah to pile up on mah sweat and blood. (22)
Sykes is a "little awed by this new Delia," (24) and rushes out of the house. Total knockout.
Are you There God? It's Me, Delia
Once Sykes is out of the house (albeit temporarily), Delia is able to reflect on the last 15 years of her marriage. It's not pleasant: adultery, beatings and stolen wages. Delia gives up on love, but finds comfort in this new thought:
Oh well, whatever goes over the Devil's back, is got to come under his belly. Sometime or ruther, Sykes, like everybody else, is gointer reap his sowing. (27)
Delia believes the Devil, God, or fate will end up punishing Sykes for all the wrong he's done. This belief helps her survive and gives her emotional strength to carry on in the unhappy union.
Delia's Timeline