Delia's husband, Sykes, considers her to be a hypocrite because she is working on Sunday.

Sykes reveals his attitude about Delia's "hypocrisy" in the story's exposition. After she reorganizes the clothes that he has disturbed, Delia goes back to washing them.  Sykes initiates an argument with Delia. She responds that she does not want to verbally spar with him because she has just come from "taking sacrament at the church house."  In response, Sykes rebukes Delia. He contends that while she has "comes from de church house on a Sunday night," Delia is "nothing but a hypocrite" because she worships at church all day and then "come home and wash white folks clothes on the Sabbath." Sykes believes that Delia is disingenuous in her faith because she works on the day where no work is to be done, and considers her a hypocrite.

I am not inclined to believe any of Sykes's critiques of Delia.  His cruelty and savage behavior towards her makes him a odd source from whom to take spiritual critique.  I think that another reason that Sykes cannot be taken very seriously is because he benefits from her toil.  Delia directly affirms her position as a significant contributor to the family's financial well- bring:  "Mah tub of suds is filled yo' belly with vittles more times than yo' hands is filled it. Mah sweat is done paid for this house and Ah reckon Ah kin keep on sweatin' in it."  Delia has to work on the Sabbath in order for Sykes to enjoy the life that he does. Sykes has not given her much of an option in terms of being an equal and contributing member of the household. Therefore, it is difficult to agree with his claim that Delia is a hypocrite.