The story's title, "Sweat," seems pretty straightforward, right? The story takes place during summertime in Florida, when it's hot enough to make a reptile break a sweat. The fact that Delia is a manual laborer gives us the idea that she probably sweats a lot, too, washing all those clothes all day.
Then there's that famous line:
Sweat, sweat, sweat! Work and sweat, cry and sweat, pray and sweat! (18)
When Delia says this, we know she's had enough of the old way of life. It marks a change in her character, almost like a rebirth—a baptism in her own sweat and tears.
Sweat is also a reminder of the not-so-clean things in Delia's life—namely, her husband Sykes. If it weren't for him, she'd probably work less and cry less. Interestingly enough, by the end of the story, the sweat has been washed away, cleaned up, and removed.
What about that last scene of "Sweat"? Are we surprised that Delia waits under the shade of the Chinaberry tree, a rare moment of rest?
Well, with everything leading up to this moment, it's easy to understand why Delia isn't helping Sykes. It's not like she had some sort of snake antidote she could have used; the only possible thing she could have done is give Sykes emotional support, or perhaps a hand to squeeze. But why should she do that, especially when her husband has never offered any emotional support in fifteen years of marriage? Our verdict for Delia: Not guilty.