ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Delia is married to the lazy and abusive Sykes. Her many years of work and suffering have stolen her former beauty, leaving her with “knotty, muscled limbs” and “hard, knuckly hands.” Although she married Sykes for love, she has come to realize that all she can hope for now is some measure of peace.

Detailed explanation-2: -The protagonist of the story, Delia is a hard-working and methodical woman. She has paid for her house with her laundry business. She takes pride in her work, her house, and the gardens she has planted.

Detailed explanation-3: -Domestic Abuse Sykes is also emotionally abusive to Delia. He mocks her and berates her constantly. He also flaunts his relationship with Bertha just to make Delia feel bad. Delia’s response to Sykes’s abuse is passive for most of their fifteen marriage; however, she begins standing up for herself.

Detailed explanation-4: -Much of Delia’s sexuality and emotions are dominated by her husband Sykes though, as he abuses his power of being the dominant sex over Delia.