filth in her own. Sykes is what soils her existence and makes her unhappy. Even though she, through her labor, is solely responsible for the upkeep of their household, Sykes does not appreciate her efforts or show gratitude. He exploits her tolerance and verbally, emotionally, physically, and financially abuses her. It is a pity that she cannot rid herself of the bane in her life as she so expertly removes the dirt in her clients' laundry.

Delia's role as a washwoman in "Sweat" is significant. The piles of clothes are symbolic as Delia attempts to organize and maintain cleanliness in her life. She takes pride in her small home and works hard to maintain what she has. Her husband, Sykes, tears down what Delia builds. He disapproves of her doing white people's laundry, yet he profits by what Delia is able to provide. He steps "roughly on the whitest pile of things, kicking them helter-skelter." Sykes steps on the pile of white clothing because he knows Delia will have to work harder to get the clothes clean. White represents cleanliness. Sykes' attempt at "grindin' dirt" into the white clothing is symbolic of the dirt and dirtiness he brings to Delia's life and home. For example, Sykes openly flaunts his girlfriend. He treats his marriage to Delia as he treats her piles of laundry.

Delia's work as a washerwoman is significant in many ways. First, it is hard work that has worn her down physically and she has struggled quite a bit to do her work. She works for white people and the idea of a black woman cleansing white people's dirty laundry is symbolic in that it suggests that whites are full of sin for the way they treat blacks. Whites produce dirty laundry, or sins, and Delia, a black woman, cleanses them. Second, as a washerwoman, she is constantly bathed not only in sweat but also in water. Therefore, her work purifies her and she is an innocent character whom her husband, Sykes, mistreats. Her constant immersion in water shows her purity (as water washes one free of not only dirt but also sin through the ritual of baptism), and her pure character is in contrast to that of the brutal and selfish Sykes. Finally, her ability to cleanse others suggests that she is not only pure but also somewhat holy and sanctified, as holy places and people in the Bible are first washed clean with water.