He Said He Loved Me
Many individuals meet the woman or man of their dreams while some meet their worst nightmare. Certain people may find it quite surprising that there is a great amount of couples around the world that are secretly unhappy with their relationships and woman that are being abused by their boyfriends or husbands. However, spousal abuse is an extremely widespread issue that takes place in today’s society. In the short story “The Storm” by Zora Neale Hurston, the author explores physical, emotional, and mental abuse.
All acts of bodily harm directed toward one's spouse or a member in the family can be defined as physical abuse. One night after an argument between Delia and her husband where she actually had the bravery to face him, Sykes got into to bed and said, “Gimmie some kivah heah, an” git yo” damn foots over o yo’ own side! Ah oughter mash you in yo’ mouf fuh drawing dat skillet on me” (560). In addition to that, Zora Hurston states in the short story “Two months after the wedding, he had given her the first brutal beating” (560). This is evidence in the text that clearly shows that Delia was physically abused by her husband. It was so evident that others in their town knew about the abuse that she deteriorated from and despise Syke because of it.
Emotional abuse, although oftentimes hard to perceive it is the most common form of abuse that is overlooked and seen as a type of communication. This is often done by humiliating, belittling, and intimidating another individual. In this short story, Zora Hurston provides evidence of emotional abuse throughout the entire story. Delia attends church and because she chooses to work on a Sabbath Day, Syke brings her down from time to time by stating, “Yeah you just come from de church house on a Sunday night, but heah you is gone to work on them clothes. You ain’t nothing but a hypocrite” (559). He also goes on to bring her down by stating “You sho is one aggravating’ nigger woman!” (559)....