Final answer:
In Zora Neale Hurston's works, Delia Jones and Lena represent two different paths women take towards self-liberation. Delia finds the strength to stand up against her abusive husband, while Lena seeks empowerment outside her marriage. Both highlight women's resilience in the face of societal and personal oppression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing Delia Jones and Lena Kanty
Zora Neale Hurston, a pivotal literary artist of the Harlem Renaissance, portrayed women's struggles and their journey towards self-liberation in her works. In "Sweat", Delia Jones is depicted as a woman in an abusive marriage who, through her own strength and perseverance, ultimately finds the courage to stand up to her husband. Hurston focuses on the inner resources of her characters, highlighting their self-discovery, which leads to empowerment.
Unfortunately, there isn't a character named Lena Kanty in Hurston's "Spunk"; the story revolves around a confident and assertive woman named Lena. Nonetheless, if we examine "Spunk", we find Lena as a woman who departs from societal norms by engaging in a relationship with the titular character, deemed more desirable than her own husband. Both Delia and Lena navigate oppressive situations, evidently stressing the necessity for women to assert control over their lives.
Hurston's portrayal of these characters serves to send a potent message about the plight and resilience of women in society. Moreover, her focus on the African-American experience, devoid of overt political and racial themes, asserts that the source of power for her characters is found in their individual journeys and cultural pride.
The two women, Delia and Lena, are similar in that they seek liberation from their circumstances, but they differ in their methods and outcomes. Delia musters the courage to confront her abuser, whereas Lena steps outside the boundaries of her marriage for empowerment. Through these characters, Hurston showcases different facets of women's resistance to societal and personal oppression.