Victorian Era in Kate Chopin's A Pair of Silk Stockings

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During the Victorian Era women struggled to fulfill their desires and men encountered women to get only what was necessary for the household, trying to escape from responsibility they go onto the direction that their impulse takes them, however not for long, after a dream of having what they long for they still have to face reality of being a wife and mother. Kate uses imagery to indicate how women struggle to abandon their needs followed by an isolated and dreamy tone.
After having the role of being a mother and a wife, a woman expects to be apart from responsibilities and feel the lightness of freedom. Especially after having the life of a princess and caring royal blood, “…the way in which it stuffed and bulged her worn old porte-monnaie gave her a feeling of importance such as she had not enjoyed for years” (Chopin). Ms. Sommers had to adapt to her new home which was in a poor shelter next to her husband, this proves that in a period of time Ms. Sommers was rich, but her marriage welcomed her into life of poverty. Men try to look down on women and make them feel like they should have more responsibilities it is why women want to enjoy their wants selfishly. Ms. Sommers was attracted to a silk stocking that was on sale even though she knew it wasn’t a need, but a want. Kate uses imagery to create meaning to every object in the short story. “But she went on feeling the soft, sheeny luxurious things—with both hands now, holding them up to see them glisten, and to feel them glide serpent-like through her fingers” (Chopin). The silk stocking represents Ms. Sommer’s temptation for having something that suits her desires. When she thinks about the future it looks like a thin monster and instead she lives by everyday ...

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...ger work, but the joyful and excitement she experienced as she bought every item fulfill her desire, but got wiped out once she reached reality,” …the cable car would never stop anywhere, but go on and on with her forever” (Chopin). When she left in the “cable car”, she took nothing but memories and unsatisfied desires.
Women try to give themselves pleasure by purchasing items like clothing or jewelry to satisfy their needs. Every women needs to feel important and Ms. Sommers way is to satisfy all her desires even if it was for a certain period of time. Since she did have the life of a wealthy person it is normal for her to actually miss those actions. Buying everything she wanted without worrying if her children were going to eat or not. Women’s life changes once they get married they no longer fulfill their desires and have other responsibilities to worry about.

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