Throughout the essays, “In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens”, written by Alice Walker, and “From the Poets in the Kitchen”, written by Paule Marshall, both authors address African-American women of the past, and how they have impacted their writing. The short story, “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston, incorporates some similar features that are found in the essays written by Walker and Marshall. In this short story, the main character, named Delia, is searching for her own independence and freedom from her abusive husband. Hurston’s short story, “Sweat “can be understood more fully by applying the ideas of identity, freedom, and inspiration, which are details heavily incorporated in the essays “In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens” by Alice Walker, and “From the Poets in the Kitchen” by Paule Marshall.
Both Alice Walker and Paule Marshall write about their identity with African American women from their past. In Marshall’s essay, “From the Poets in the Kitchen”, she states that, “While my sister and I sat at a smaller table over in the corner doing our homework, they talked endlessly, passionately, and poetically, and with impossible range.” (Marshall 2). Moments like this in Paule Marshall’s life have helped in her developing an identity in her writing. Both authors are able to do this by using the African-American culture that has been surrounding them their entire lives.
In Hurston’s short story, “Sweat”, the main character, Delia, starts out as a timid and passive woman, especially towards her husband, Sykes, but after he threatens to punch her for bringing her work home, she acts on self-defense. In response to him, “She seized the iron skillet from the stove and struck a defensive pose, which act surprised him greatly, coming from her.” (Hurston 2). Delia’s personality immediately changes from being shy and obedient to acting powerful and intimidating, again, especially towards her husband. Although the two pieces of writing are depicting African American women differently, Hurston’s identity for Delia is constructed using the information said by both authors in their essays.
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Both Alice Walker and Paule Marshall are aware that their writing can be seen as what African-American women of the past wanted to say, but did not have the right to do so. In Walker’s “In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens”, she states, “For these grandmothers and mothers of ours were not Saints, but Artists; driven to a numb and bleeding madness by the springs of creativity in them for which there was no release.” (Walker 2). Walker uses her independence to help express past women’s individuality throughout her own writing.
In Hurston’s short story, “Sweat”, Delia is a working woman who has made a living for herself through her hard work and sweat. She is the sole provider for her and her husband, with her money paying or the house, as well as food, clothes, and other basic costs. This gives her a sense of freedom because it is her that is supporting herself, as well as her husband, Sykes. While in a heated argument with him, she states, “Mah sweat is done paid for this house and Ah reckon Ah kin keep on sweatin’ in it.” (Hurston 2).
Although being able to function at work the way she choses, Delia’s freedom is taken away from her in the way that she cannot do what she wants, instead having to keep up with the role of women at the time. She is trapped in an abusive marriage where her only sense of independence is at her job, where she is constantly busy, trying to provide for herself and Sykes. Both Hurston and Walker describe how African American women from the past have had to live with their limited amounts of freedom and independence.
