The guests inside the abbey are… a unaware that people are suffering outside the abbey. b terrified that they or their loved ones will fall ill. c committed to praying for the recovery of the ill. d in a happy mood despite the clock’s interruptions.

the opening scene of "sweat" exposes the great emotional charge of the story. it shows the violence and abuse that dyes the marriage between delia jones and skyes.

skyes decides to terrorize his wife by pulling a bull whip (which resembles a snake), knowing that she is terrified of those animals. skyes laughs cruelly at her and kicks the laundry with which delia has been working hard, telling her to get rid of it. skyes also comments on her religious manners, telling his wife how ridiculous they are. delia reacts by threatening skyes with her frying pan, generating even more conflict