Literary Analysis: A Pair of Silk Stockings, Essay Example

The poem is a third-person narrative that starts stating how the central character, Mrs. Sommers comes across some money, fifteen dollars. The piece however does not explain where she gets it, neither does it explain the time she gets it. Rather, the opening part of the text chooses to revolve around Mrs. Sommer’s personal thoughts and feelings towards her finding this money. At first glance, one might perceive her as quite shallow as she was focused on self-satisfactory means that involved the money. However, a little later on, it becomes apparent how much considerate she is, as she dedicates her thoughts to her family, and looks forward to providing something better -better quality, better clothing -to her children.

Admission on how she has not felt significant or meaningful for a long time is very touching and solicits extreme sympathy. The piece states how the last time she felt like this was long before the thoughts of being Mrs. Sommers came up, which means that the last time she felt this spoilt with choices, this state of ‘temporary wealth’ was when she was much younger and unmarried, which is quite saddening, as the piece also names her dependents, stating no less than five of them, indicating that they have been constructing a family unit, possibly with Mr. Sommers for quite some time (Arn?utu, 508-515).

The poem, which has an omniscient narrator, is titled a pair of silk stockings, which is symbolic in a number of ways. The most significant symbolism is of Mrs. Sommer’s desire to escape her sad and meagre existence. It is evident of the quality of life she and her family are living. Moreover, by going through her thought process on how she wishes to spend the money, and how the money is giving her sleepless nights, we see how much she wishes to improve the livelihoods of her and her family, for example thinking how a few purchases would save them a few patches and darning.

In spite of her modesty, we see how overwhelmed she is by chores and duties. Established in the necessary feminine skills for handling a household and committing to her family’s needs, prioritizing them before herself, the central character exhibits the common working-class citizen of the period, the late nineteenth century. Furthermore, during this period, it was commonplace for ladies to be pushed into unsatisfying marriages. This, coupled by the fact they were not allowed to inherit wealth, only helped to sum up the misery that most ladies this period shared. This might also have been a predicament Mrs. Sommers shared as well, owing to the fact that she detested thinking about her past, probably suggesting that she wished to avoid thinking of the losses she was made to endure.

From the poem, we can also derive the fact that marriage life has depleted Mrs. Sommers, overwhelming her in an exhaustive manner. The rigorous physical demands of parenthood as well as the emotional and psychological rigors have overstretched her, to a point that marriage life seems to have taken a toll on her. The piece has described of how demanding it has been for her, to a point she has had to queue patiently and even elbow some people, in order for her to get what she wants for her family. She has endured long queues and tedious tasks, due to her societal position as a wife and mother, for her to cater to her family.

The significant point of the poem comes when she proves unable to resist the overtures of the silk pair of stockings. The piece likens them to the serpent, which is an allusion to the Bible’s story of Adam and Eve during creation, and how the serpent persuaded them to partake of the forbidden commodity. Likewise, Mrs. Sommers is unable to resist the beauty and allure of the stockings and surrenders to the temptations. Here, we see the human nature of Mrs. Sommers and how despite her good judgement, her personal desires the better of her. In spite of the simile in the poem alluding to the biblical narrative, whereby eventually Adam and Eve are punished after falling into the serpent’s advances, For Mrs. Sommers it is the opposite, as she is rewarded following her falling into temptation, purchasing herself the silk pair of stockings that she very much desired.

The whole idea surrounding the stockings represents female sexuality which was also a taboo during this period, with most members of the society sharing the view of it being immoral. The modest and reserved Mrs. Sommers goes against her nature, as her levels of excitement are evident, as described by the author of the poem when it is stated how her cheeks wear a feverish blush. Moreover, the author also indicates how much she could not contain her joy, that she impatiently changes the stockings at the store. The poem describes how she peels off her old stockings, another allusion to serpents’ nature of peeling off their old skins and adorn a new one. The change of stockings for Mrs. Sommer also indicates a change in personality for her, from being the repressed and considerate individual that had donned the better part of the poem, into one that embraces self-gratification.

Mrs. Sommers is then described as finding it challenging to recognize her beauty, not believing that the beautifully clad feet are hers, again indicating how lowly she felt of herself. Consumerism overcomes her, and after the stockings, she indulges in an excessive and leisurely meal, which is a shocking far cry form her usual. Apart from this, Mrs. Sommers then seeks approval (probably the motivation behind her spree) by hiking up her skirt, for people to see her extravagant purchases. She also purchases magazines which she carries without wrapping, visits the theater, and culminates her trip with a cable car voyeur, all which beg to differ from the ordinary demeanor that had been expected of Mrs. Sommers. She returns home, oblivious of the homely duties and responsibilities that await her.

Works Cited

Arn?utu, Maria-Viorica. “The Awakening And” A Pair of Silk Stockings”: A Feminist Perspective on Motherhood as Institution.” Journal of Romanian Literary Studies 05 (2014): 508-515.

Trisna, Leony. “The Narrative Pattern of Three Kate Chopin’s Selected Short Stories.” The Storm”, “A Respectable Woman”, “A Pair of Silk Stockings”).” Diss. Andalas University (2012).