Final answer:
Delia asserts herself against Sykes, causing him to react with surprise, and he does not act on his threats. The encounter symbolizes Delia's newfound strength and the bullwhip discovery foreshadows future events.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Delia finally stands up to Sykes and tells him to leave her house, Sykes reacts with surprise and does not carry through with his threats to hurt her. It appears that Delia's resolute stance and emotional strength leave Sykes momentarily unsure of how to respond.
This highlights a turning point in Delia's character, showing her empowerment and determination to no longer tolerate abuse. On the other hand, Delia's discovery of Sykes's bullwhip foreshadows the potential for increased violence, and her refusal to save Sykes later shows a complex interplay of emotion, duty, and the effects of prolonged abuse.
In the story, 'Sweat' by Zora Neale Hurston, when Delia finally stands up to her abusive husband, Sykes, she pulls out a horsewhip in order to get him to leave her alone.
The horsewhip symbolizes Delia's newfound power and her refusal to tolerate Sykes' mistreatment any longer. By wielding the horsewhip, Delia asserts her physical strength and asserts her independence from Sykes.