Sweat Men & Masculinity Quotes

Um…overcompensation, much? Any man who needs to drag around a whip is trying too hard in our books. Not only is it a phallic symbol, it proves that Sykes enjoys intimidating and scaring his wife.

Woah, Sykes. Why exactly is your wife agravating? Because she feeds and clothes you? Because she works while you scamper and 'stomp' with your lover in Winter Park? This statement is totally unfair and unjustified…but that sums up much of what Sykes says.

We never actually see Sykes carry through with a beating, but he sure threatens Delia a lot. This sweet statement comes right after he kicks her clothes around and she tells him to stop.

Sykes strikes again. Now he's really mad because Delia threatened him with an iron skillet, giving him a taste of his own medicine. It's important to notice how he uses the word 'oughter' (ought to)—he's too awed by her bravery to challenge her.

Where are these men getting all this time to chew cane, and why are there no women enjoying this yummy treat? Hurston says a lot about men with a story in which men don't do much but talk. Get up, get out, and go do something, dudes.

Here, Merchant tells the other men on Joe Clarke's porch about Sykes trying to woo his wife. We gotta wonder why Sykes is still alive if he's threatened the masculinity of Merchant and other men around town. Our theory? Hurston's pointing out the flaws in men (or, you know, human beings) in that they often say one thing and do another.

Sykes has absolutely no shame being out in the open with his mistress, Bertha. Not only is this a cruel act on Sykes's part, it's scary how pleased he is with himself when Delia rides by on her horse and sees them.

Something tells us Sykes is a bit delusional when he says this to Bertha. This guy loves feeling like he's got power, even when he clearly doesn't. Sykes has no home, no job and no money—at least, none of his own. The only power he has is what he forces on Delia.

This is Sykes response to Delia's pleas to take the snake out of the house. The retort is selfish, childish and just plain cruel. This is the point when we really, really don't like him.

This is what Sykes says when he brings a snake home, positively gloating at his reptile trapping skills. The village comes to see if it's true and he struts his stuff like a peacock, bragging about something that really isn't very impressive to begin with. Oh well, we all know what he's got coming.