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A review by umbrelina
A Pair of Silk Stockings by Kate Chopin
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
In A Pair of Silk Stockings, Chopin is brief and bluntly to the point. I was initially surprised by its length however, by the end, I had an increased appreciation for the art of short-story writing.
Mrs. Sommers is, in many ways, representative of what it meant to be a married woman in Chopin's time (and sadly, in our own). Her consistent sacrifices for her children include spending any money she receives on them. That the 15 dollars (an amount not very large even at the time) is such a special occasion for her hints at the difficulty of her position. It is mentioned that she loves being thrifty, but one wonders at this assertion, especially considering her more luxurious childhood. It seems more likely to be the case that Mrs. Sommers has, like many other in her position, grown accustomed with her circumstances, and restricted herself from questioning them or growing bitter because of them.
This restriction, however, has its consequences. That the shopping binge our protagonist goes on is jump-started by her feel of the silk fabric is significant. It shows us that this was not planned or premeditated, but a simple reaction based on material tangibility. The purchase of the stockings symbolises the breaking of the dam - once this is done, the long-standing restriction of Mrs. Sommers is blown to the wind, and she buys anything she wants. This has been interpreted as commentary on increasing consumption levels during Chopin's lifetime, which were propelled forward by things like mass-production. It is true that Mrs. Sommers binge has a strange quality to it - she buys without thought, and sometimes without need. All thought of her children and their requirements are discarded. It seems, in ways, selfish. This could be a criticism of mass consumption and a questioning of its morality - people were whisked away into such habits because they had so many things available at their fingertips, and thus forgot all other considerations under the influence of making purchases.
Nevertheless, I found it very difficult to see Mrs. Sommers as guilty in this scenario. She has, at the time we first meet her, evidently been living consistently for others, not herself. This position is made harder too when we think of what she had been accustomed to in her childhood, and the stark contrast her current life presents to that. I kept thinking; is it so bad to want nice things/ things of your own? Especially when you haven't been able to do just that in so long?
The ending is sobering. Mrs. Sommers, in her wish to never go back to her strenuous routine, is yet painfully aware that this is not possible. Thus, the cathartic shopping binge exists in a sort of vacuum, unlikely to be repeated, and most certainly forgotten in the wave of domestic activities that will wash upon Mrs. Sommers as soon as she gets home.
Overall, I found this read exceptional. That Chopin was able to conjure up so much feeling towards a situation and character we only know for 4 pages is impressive. In truth, this is perhaps because, even in the current age, we all know countless women just like Mrs. Sommers - indeed, some of us are Mrs. Sommers. So, we are unknowingly acquainted with her intimately, before we ever meet her in Chopin's writing. Nevertheless, Chopin still produces a lot of 'new' sensations - new thoughts, feelings, reflections, and questions. Her writing is commendable - descriptive enough to awaken emotion, but never to disrupt from the aim of the work. I would recommend this short story to anyone, and think we all stand to benefit from reading it with an open/ vulnerable mind.
This restriction, however, has its consequences. That the shopping binge our protagonist goes on is jump-started by her feel of the silk fabric is significant. It shows us that this was not planned or premeditated, but a simple reaction based on material tangibility. The purchase of the stockings symbolises the breaking of the dam - once this is done, the long-standing restriction of Mrs. Sommers is blown to the wind, and she buys anything she wants. This has been interpreted as commentary on increasing consumption levels during Chopin's lifetime, which were propelled forward by things like mass-production. It is true that Mrs. Sommers binge has a strange quality to it - she buys without thought, and sometimes without need. All thought of her children and their requirements are discarded. It seems, in ways, selfish. This could be a criticism of mass consumption and a questioning of its morality - people were whisked away into such habits because they had so many things available at their fingertips, and thus forgot all other considerations under the influence of making purchases.
Nevertheless, I found it very difficult to see Mrs. Sommers as guilty in this scenario. She has, at the time we first meet her, evidently been living consistently for others, not herself. This position is made harder too when we think of what she had been accustomed to in her childhood, and the stark contrast her current life presents to that. I kept thinking; is it so bad to want nice things/ things of your own? Especially when you haven't been able to do just that in so long?
The ending is sobering. Mrs. Sommers, in her wish to never go back to her strenuous routine, is yet painfully aware that this is not possible. Thus, the cathartic shopping binge exists in a sort of vacuum, unlikely to be repeated, and most certainly forgotten in the wave of domestic activities that will wash upon Mrs. Sommers as soon as she gets home.
Overall, I found this read exceptional. That Chopin was able to conjure up so much feeling towards a situation and character we only know for 4 pages is impressive. In truth, this is perhaps because, even in the current age, we all know countless women just like Mrs. Sommers - indeed, some of us are Mrs. Sommers. So, we are unknowingly acquainted with her intimately, before we ever meet her in Chopin's writing. Nevertheless, Chopin still produces a lot of 'new' sensations - new thoughts, feelings, reflections, and questions. Her writing is commendable - descriptive enough to awaken emotion, but never to disrupt from the aim of the work. I would recommend this short story to anyone, and think we all stand to benefit from reading it with an open/ vulnerable mind.