Protagonist

Character Role Analysis

Delia Jones

Of all the characters in "Sweat," Delia is hands down the character we root for from start to finish. She's got a lot stacked up against her, yet she triumphs:

She was on her feet; her poor little body, her bare knuckly hands bravely defying the strapping hulk before her. (17)

The 'strapping hulk' is her no-good husband, Sykes, who is everything a husband shouldn't be. Ever. Our point? Hurston sets us up to be on Team Delia, and we root for her with all our might.