In Zora Hurston's short story "Sweat," Delia Jones is trapped in an abusive marriage to her dominant husband Sykes for 15 years. Through Delia's characterization as a helpless yet enduring woman, and symbols like the whip and laundry, the story illustrates the theme of living in fear under the control of a dominant figure. The setting of the rural 1920s adds to the isolation and lack of options Delia experiences.