her blood, her sweat, her tears?

Question

What does this quote from "Sweat" by Zora Neale Hurston mean to you? I have to write an essay about it. HElp!

"Anything like flowers had long ago been drowned in the salty stream that had been pressed from her heart. Her tears, her sweat, her blood. She had brought love to the union and he had brought a longing for the flesh">

This book is about an African American woman who is abused by her husband.

Answer 1

it sounds to me that like in all relationships it was good in the beginning, he was sweet and kind. they got married she was in love with him but for him it was just a sexual relationship. he was not kind he did not try. She put everything into the relationship wanting so much more from him knowing that she would never get it from him.She cried because of his words, she sweat because she worked so hard and she bleed at the rage of his hands.

Answer 2

All three of them are applicable. Her tears because she cried as he hit her because she loved him too much to leave. Her blood as it left her body from the hits that she received and her sweat from trying to make it work to make it a stable relationship.