She plans to get new shoes for her daughter, some fabric to make clothing, new stockings, and hats for all the children. She feels excited about her children’s new outfits and pleased that the purchases will save her time in “darning,” and last longer than the clothing she is usually able to afford. On the day of the shopping spree, she feels tired because she had not eaten. She prepares to fight the crowds in order to find the best deals. While at the store and resting at one of the counters, her hand touches a pair of silk stockings.
In Kate Chopin’s short story, “A Pair of Silk Stockings” the protagonist, a caring mother, is the unexpected possessor of fifteen dollars. She planned on spending it on her children, but temptation causes her to give into her desires. The story shows that, sometimes people give into temptation to fulfill desires and forget about their responsibilities. The story begins with Mrs. Sommers becoming the unexpected possessor of fifteen dollars and deciding what to do with the money. “The question of investment was one that occupied her greatly,” because “she did not wish to act hastily to do anything she might afterward regret.” Mrs. Sommers finally decides to, “buy so and so many yards of percale for new shirt waists for the boys and Janie and Mag…Mag should have another gown…she would get caps for the boys and sailor-hats for the girls.” But Mrs. Sommers is impulsive.
In the stories “A Pair of Silk Stockings” by Kate Chopin and “A Wagner Matinee” by Willa Cather, the main characters go through life experiences that completely change the way they perceive themselves and the world around them. The main character in “A Pair of Silk Stockings” is a lady named Mrs. Sommers who became the unexpected possessor of fifteen dollars. Originally she had no intention of spending the money on herself until she was lured into buying the luxurious silk stockings. Mrs. Sommers indulged herself the rest of the day which really boosted her self confidence. The main character in “A Wagner Matinee” is a lady called Aunt Georgiana who used to be a young, music teacher.
“…Janie looked down on him and felt a self-crushing love. So her soul crawled out of her hiding place” (128). Hurston uses this metaphor to emphasize the fact that Janie could never really be herself and that now she finally found someone who would let her be who she wanted to be. As a reader I feel like Janie is finally content with herself and is happy enough to where she can be herself around someone. Teacake made her realize what love was all about and it opened her eyes to what love could have been like in her prior marriages with Logan and Joe.
As a punishment for her horrible sportsmanship, Massie's parents, William block and Kendra block cancel her credit card so she can pay them for the riding camp. Kendra suggests that Massie work as a babysitter, like Kendra's friend Trini Neufeld's daughter, Ellie. Massie, horrified at the suggestion of working at a job that is that LBRish, asks her mom if she can choose her own "jobby"--a job-hobby. Kendra agrees. While flipping through a magazine one day, Massie sees a Opportunity being a Be Pretty Cosmetics salesgirl.
These dresses were cheaper imitations of middle class fashion and would often fall apart, but the women bought them regardless. Many women also saved money to buy scraps of fabric from the garment shop they worked in and would spend what little time they had outside of work sewing dressing for themselves. Another way in which women of the labor class shaped their experience through consumer culture was their avid reading of dime novels and their manner
As the mother of two daughters I always want for my daughters what I feel was lacking in my life. It makes sense to me that Nanny’s idea of success and freedom is being wealthy and idle. That was what was literally beaten into Nanny. I think in real life, as with Nanny, mothers can get so blinded by their own agenda and their attempt to fulfill their own dreams through their daughter that they don’t stop to ask what their child wants. While I understand that this may not be the ideal way to handle a situation, I believe that Nanny did the best she could considering her experiences.
They raised six kids and really did not want to raise another one; this resulted in them giving her anything her heart desired. When I read “The Lesson” I felt like the kids who were wishing they could have just one expensive toy, while she was the kid that got all the toys in the entire store. I felt like Sylvia saying, “Who are these people that spend that much for performing clowns and $1,000 for toy sailboats?” (461). Even though she was spoiled with everything but love, it took me a while to realize that what I had was far
Mrs. Kobylinski Essay 22 February 2015 Mathilde Compared To Della In The “Gift of the Magi” author O.Henry writes about Della a woman who sacrifices something to make her husband happy. In contrast “the Necklace” Author Guy de maurassart tells a story about Mathilde Loisel a selfish woman whose husband cared so much about her he was willing to do anything to make her happy. A similar is they both are poor and have little money. However Della tries to make the most of her money and Mathilda spends all the money they have. Della is selfless and caring about her money but Mathilda is selfish and self-centered with her money.
She would daydream of fancy dinners, shinning silverware and delicate furniture. Her desire for wealth is so strong that she can’t even visit her wealthy friend Madame Foresteir without being overwhelmed with jealousy. There was only one time where she was truly happy and that is when she had on a dress that her husband purchased and a diamond necklace that she borrowed from her friend, Mrs. Forestier. Her happiness was short-lived when she and her husband had to spend the next 10 years paying for the necklace that she had lost that night. What use to be a very poise and gentle women had “become the women of impoverished households- strong and hard and rough” (Maupassant 42).