The speaker in the poem "Verses Written by a Young Lady, on Women Born to be Controll'd!" says that "wretched is a woman's fate... Subject to man in every state" (Lines 1-3). How is this like Delia's experience as Sykes's wife? In what ways was Delia free to make her own decisions? Thinking about the ending of "Sweat," what role did Sykes play in the decision Delia ultimately made?

"Verses Written by a Young Lady, on Women Born to be Controll'd!"

1. Delia's experience as Sykes's wife could be compared to the experience of the wife, detailed in the poem titled "Verses Written by a Young Lady, on Women Born to be Controlled!"

2. Delia chose to work in order to earn a living for the family when her indolent husband Sykes - as the head of the family refused to work.  Delia was not too emotionally involved in the relationship with Sykes after many years of abuse.  Thus, she preferred her husband's death to rescuing him after the rattlesnake poison started working its way on the instigator.  Another way that Delia showed her freedom was through defiance.  When Sykes threatened to stop her from working she did not yield to self-pity, she resolutely continued to work.  Unfortunately, she also chose to continue with the abusive marriage at a time she could have chosen separation.

3. The ending of "Sweat" can be regarded as a "poetic justice."  The evil conceived against another person has consumed the conceiver.  In all, it was Sykes who encouraged Delia to neglect him in his moment of self-inflicted agony and death.

Explanation:

"Verses Written by a Young Lady, on Women Born to be Controll'd!" was a poem written by an anonymous author in 1743, lamenting the difficulties that women encounter in the hands of men.  "Sweat" was a 1926 short story written by Zora Neale Hurston.  It chronicled the domestic abuses faced by Delia in the hand of her unfaithful husband, Sykes.