http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uelHwf8o7_U
I have found a connection between Zora Hurston's short story "Sweat" and the song "Love the Way You Lie" by Eminem and Rihanna. Although not every lyric in this song is a perfect representation of the story, I do believe that the overall meaning fits very well in representation of the situation at hand in the story. The lyrics, "just gonna stand there and watch me burn, but that's alright because I like the way it hurts," seem to perfectly represent Delia in the story. For one, I felt that Sykes just stood there and did nothing for Delia except abuse her, and in a sense, he watched her "burn" or drown in her own unhappiness and sorrow due to their abusive and unhealthy relationship. The lyrics "I love the way you lie" can be connected to Delia's feelings because after Sykes cheated on her, abused her, and treated her as inferior, Delia continued to stay with him, which is what the song "Love the Way you Lie" is about. In the song, the woman is abused but continues to be in her abusive relationship, and she continues to love her boyfriend although he has no respect for her whatsoever. Similarly, Sykes has no respect for Delia, yet she stayed with Sykes up until his death, which is when she finally made the decision to leave Sykes to die. However, "loving the way he lies" does not mean that Delia literally enjoys Sykes' lies but that she puts up with behavior that is deemed unacceptable to many, and although she could leave, for whatever reason she chooses not to. In relation to the song, the story "Sweat" displays an extremely unhealthy relationship that by no means should exist, and just like in the song, Sykes is a very controlling man that feels superior to his wife. I felt that "Sweat" and "Love the Way you Lie" were both comparable in many ways, and the connection between the two points out the fact that abuse of any kind is unacceptable and it shouldn't be tolerated by any means.
I think that the connection works better than you give it credit for. “Love the Way You Lie” is almost setting the story to music. I find that you are one hundred percent right in the fact that Delia is simply letting the relationship continue at its present course; even if it is a destructive one. The way I see it, Delia is blinded by love. She’s with him because she doesn’t know what other option is available until she is shown the door, i.e. Sykes death. You bring up this topic by suggesting that Delia doesn’t actually loves the way he lies (how she is treated) but continues to stay with him until death.
ReplyDeleteOverall, fantastic comparison!
I agree with Connor! This was a great connection. I think Delia's reason for putting up with his behavior had a lot to due with her religion and connection to God. I believe she had a mindset such as "It's all in God's hands", which is why she did not feel she had to retaliate to his every move. The story behind the song is what I think is more about being "blinded by love". That is more common in relationships with young people. Your connection also allows us to realize that these types of relationships still exist. "Sweat" was written a long time ago, but that song was made only a few years ago. Awesome job!
ReplyDeleteBoth the short story "Sweat" and the song "Love the way you lie" can be used to describe one another. I agree with Anaya (sorry if I misspelled your name) that Delia stayed with her husband mostly because of her faith and belief in God. This goes back to what I said in class about how "one reaps what he sows" meaning that the husband deserves what is coming to him. I believe that Delia resiliency to her husband may also be due to the fact that Hurton wanted to depict how women can be strong and hardworking just like males in any situation. But also to sympathize with women who are in these current situations to show them that even if they "sweat" it is not in vain and they will be liberated.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that this was a great connection between the song and the story. In a way, Delia did love the way Sykes lied. She let him abuse her for a while, but then suddenly changed her outlook on things. It is very true that Sykes almost watched Delia burn, not literally, but in a sense he just watched her spirit and dignity die a little day by day. Both of song and the short story illustrate unhealthy relationships that should end immediately. Delia finally ended her abusive relationship by letting Sykes die from the snake bite.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Danielle, I can see the connection between the song and the story "Sweat". I have heard this song, as I am a fan of Eminem, and there are many similarities that are up for interpretations that can be related to the short story. I agree with you completely on the phrase "Just gonna stand there and watch me burn" shows how Sykes does not even care about Delia's feelings he only cares for himself. Although in the song Rihanna does mention that "she likes the way it hurts." Yet that does not relate to Delia at all she is unhappy with how her lifestyle. She does not like this physical and verbal abuse that she receives even if she does not lash out at him or retaliate strongly. If anyone were to fit to that phrase it would be Sykes because he took pride and joy to see Delia become hurt as he flirts with Bertha. He loves to hurt Delia in anyway possible. Regardless this was a great example to tie the two meanings of both the song and the story that abusive relationships are unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I am a fan of this song myself and can definitely see the connection between the song and the story. Even though Delia had been abused since the beginning of their marriage, she has been married for 15 years. The story illustrates how Delia’s husband, Sykes, brutally abuses her treats her like an animal. He completely disregards all of her concerns and fears, which brings us back to the lines, “Just gonna stay there and watch me burn.” Sykes watches how his wife in fear and does nothing about it. Fortunately for Delia, Sykes gets bitten by a snake and dies at the end of the story.
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