kate chopin, a pair of silk stockings

A Pair of Silk Stockings took place in France during the 1800s. The story illustrates a single widowed woman struggling to survive in society, in which, women were perceived to be less capable than their male counterparts and therefore could not attain the social status or financial independence of man.

At the beginning, we can already see that upon receiving the unexpected fifteen dollars. Mrs. Sommers feels that it is substantial amount of money. The author stated that, “For a day or two she walked about apparently in a dreamy state, but really absorbed in speculation and calculation.” to show her responsibility to her children and her proper use of the money, because she did not want “to do anything that she might afterward regret.” The quote is also foreshadowing about what Mrs. Sommers would do. She then contemplates on how to spend the money in the most effective way possible.

First, she thinks of purchasing new shoes and c...