One of the most obvious ways in which Hurston’s story is about domestic abuse and domination is through Sykes’ physical and verbal abuse of Delia. Sykes is constantly belittling and berating Delia, and he often resorts to physical violence to get his way. He is also very controlling, demanding that Delia do as he says and not question him. This is a classic example of domestic abuse and domination, and Hurston does an excellent job of conveying the power imbalance between Delia and Sykes.
Another way in which Hurston’s story is about domestic abuse and domination is through the way Sykes uses money to control Delia. Sykes is constantly taking Delia’s hard-earned money and spending it on himself, leaving her with nothing. This is a form of financial abuse, and it is a way for Sykes to maintain control over Delia. He knows that if he takes away her money, she will be unable to leave him or stand up to him.