The Art of Sweat

 November 8th, 2025


Outside, it's 36 degrees F.

In the news: Russia launches missiles and drone barrages against Ukraine, resulting in power outages and casualties. Police officer shot and killed in North Carolina hospital. This saturday, HOSA regionals took place in Troy High.

Music. Lights up.
Classroom. Dimly lit. Filled with students. 

Jayden (handsome asian boy with a chiseled face), luscious hair. He has a crowd of girls behind him, all wanting to get with him. Students sit in their usual seats, having small talk before class starts, Mrs. Valentino (AP Language teacher) sitting comfortably on her rolly chair.

The bell rings.



Mrs. Valentino: So, did everyone do their homework?

Class falls silent and everyone slyly glances at each other in nervousness. Jayden has a smug expression on his face and raises his hand high.

Jayden: Of course I did Mrs. Valentino. In fact, I believe I found a really great allusion that even relates to Sweat. 

Mrs. Valentino: That sounds interesting Jayden. Can you share with the class what you found?

Jayden: I decided to research the Republican debate of March 2nd, 2000. In simple terms, it was an argument with bitter personal exchanges between Bush and McCain about campaign tactics and integrity. 

Mrs. Valentino: But how does that relate to Sweat at all? 

Jayden slowly climbs up onto the high-top table and puts one foot on top of Daniel. The girls behind him squeal in astonishment from the absolute beauty that stood before them (Jayden of course).

Jayden: On page 35, the TV in the bar plays the Republican presidential debate. After a little conversation between Stan and Brucie about their opinions on Bush, Stan asks if he is still watching the news, to which Brucie replies with, "Nah." This proves that even with an important presidential debate ongoing during that time, Brucie is willfully ignorant and instead hides in the comfort of his community. L:ike other characters in the story, Brucie is indifferent about what is going on in the world around him until it actually affects him. While this could represent Brucie ignoring the truth to stay in comfort, it could also represent the underrepresentation of the working class in politics. Through years of neglect, he could have realized that no matter who is in power, everything will stay the same. Also, the allusion to the Republican presidential debate situates the play to a specific moment in time where American workers were being ignored and misunderstood by politicians. By referencing this debate, Nottage highlights how push for economic reform almost never bring actual change for people like Brucie and other workers.

Mrs. Valentino stands up from her chair and claps. Jayden bows, drops down from the table, and sits back onto his chair, with all the girls behind him complimenting and absolutely glazing him.

Mrs. Valentino: Magnificent work Jayden! That kind of analysis is exactly what I would expect from my - no, THE star student of Troy High School!

Jayden puts his legs on the table, stretches back onto his chair, and puts his hands on the back of his head in a relaxed position. 

Jayden: My analysis wasn't so amazing because I was smart. It was because Sweat purposely includes these moments to symbolize a greater meaning for us readers to review. I guess you could say, that's the art of Sweat. 

Lights slowly dim and turn off.
Curtains close.
A loud blast of music: Kanye West's We Major plays.

Comments

  1. Paul LeiNovember 8, 2025 at 10:38 PM

    What the fan fic. I appreicate that you wrote your blog about yourself this time... chill on the glaze though. Where are your thoughts about the play 😭. Good read, nice blog.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Katherine ParkNovember 9, 2025 at 1:18 PM

    This was a very creative and different post. I think it was clever to format it like a play and add yourself and the class as the story. I do agree with what you said about power. Life really does cycle which makes change in bigger scales so difficult. Your blog was very funny, and I enjoyed reading it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Daniel ChoNovember 9, 2025 at 4:26 PM

    Jayden I thought you said you moved on from kanye

    ReplyDelete
  4. Vighnesh ChandaNovember 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM

    I like how this blog focuses on diverse topics and relates it to Sweat, coincidentally I happened to read an essay by David FOster Wallace called "Up, Simba" which was also about Mcain and Bush. Peak Music choice btw!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Noah KwokNovember 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM

    This is an interesting way to write a blog and talk about some of the lessons you've learned so far in sweat. To be fully honest, reading this was really funny and enjoyable. Looking forward to more blogs like these.

    ReplyDelete

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