Kate Chopin again writes another short story with a way of getting the attention of the reader in a short period of time. A Pair of Silk Stockings is based in early to mid 1900’s in a average town. Shops, a theater and such lies in the center of town. The author tells of a widowed mother that is not so well off, that discovers a sum of money and is taken away in her own shopping spree and perhaps her own dreams. Mrs. Sommers is a middle aged timid mother of a handful of children, and is apparently not well to do anymore after her husbands death; Not that she probably ever was, but more so than her luck would have it now.
She is small framed with tattered old clothes, as if she hasnt been able to purchase anything in quite awhile, nor would she knowing how much she puts her childrens needs in front of her own. She is a very thoughtful and caring mother who always puts the childrens needs ahead of her own. Her children is the only thing that has consumed her mind in several years until the unexpected sum of cash shows up. Even before Mrs. Mallard starts upon her shopping spree, she prioritizes what to buy in her mind for her children, a dollar.
. . (321). She knows exactly what to buy and how much to spend on each since she knows the value of a bargain. During her spree, she is lost in her own world and purchases items for herself instead of her children. Her purchases included a new pair of silk stockings, fitted gloves, new boots and two high priced magazines.
Next, she is drawn to a restaurant that she has only dreamily strolled by admiring everything about it, only to go inside for a quick bite, which is typically out of the question for her. After her snack, she attends a play with other well to do women who are only there to kill time, eat candy and display their gaudy attire. She now, stands waiting for a cable car hoping that her dream will never come to an end. Almost lost in the moment, she stares at the man sitting opposite her on the cable car hoping that this ride would never end. Quite possibly, she was thinking of how life would be with the stranger who sat across from her.
She relived the years that have all but passed her. Eventually, Mrs. Sommers trip does end but with no regrets. She has finally pampered herself and lived the life of the women that she has only admired to this point.
There were no worries burdened upon her during this time, and she felt like a new woman again, shopping for herself and not thinking about everything else, as usual.
