How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #4
He stepped roughly upon the whitest pile of things, kicking them helter-skelter as he crossed the room. His wife gave a little scream of dismay, and quickly gathered them together again. (14)
What's wrong with this scene? Delia's working and Sykes's destroying. Hurston is showing a big divide between the sexes in "Sweat"—the men make messes and women are left to clean them up, literally.
Quote #5
She seized the iron skillet from the stove and struck a defensive pose, which act surprised him greatly, coming from her. (21)
Normally, we're all about peace and love, but we can't help getting emotional at this act of defiance by Delia. She's had it once and for all and defends herself with a weapon, tired of being threatened by Sykes and tired of him sneaking around with Bertha. She's also using a skillet—a symbol of domesticity—to make her threat. It's like she's grabbing her femininity by the handle and wielding it like a sword; It's a very empowering scene.
Quote #6
"Ah'm so tired of you Ah don't know whut to do. Gawd! how Ah hates skinny wimmen!" (23)
First Sykes calls Delia an aggravating woman, and now he's insulting her for being skinny. Maybe he doesn't like skinny women because it's a sign of overwork and it reminds him that he's lazy? Or maybe he's just an evil man desperate to hurt his wife however he can.