Question

A Pair of Silk Stockings
by Kate Chopin

Little Mrs. Sommers one day found herself the unexpected possessor of fifteen dollars. It seemed to her a very large amount of money, and 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.

The question of investment was one that occupied her greatly. For a day or two she walked about apparently in a dreamy state, but really absorbed in speculation and calculation. She did not wish to act hastily, to do anything she might afterward regret. But it was during the still hours of the night when she lay awake revolving plans in her mind that she seemed to see her way clearly toward a proper and judicious use of the money.

A dollar or two should be added to the price usually paid for Janie’s shoes, which would insure their lasting an appreciable time longer than they usually did. She would buy so and so many yards of percale for new shirt waists for the boys and Janie and Mag. She had intended to make the old ones do by skillful patching. Mag should have another gown. She had seen some beautiful patterns, veritable bargains in the shop windows. And still there would be left enough for new stockings—two pairs apiece—and what darning that would save for a while! She would get caps for the boys and sailor-hats for the girls. The vision of her little brood looking fresh and dainty and new for once in their lives excited her and made her restless and wakeful with anticipation.

The neighbors sometimes talked of certain “better days” that little Mrs. Sommers had known before she had ever thought of being Mrs. Sommers. She herself indulged in no such morbid retrospection. She had no time—no second of time to devote to the past. The needs of the present absorbed her every faculty. A vision of the future like some dim, gaunt monster sometimes appalled her, but luckily to-morrow never comes.



"A Pair of Silk Stockings" by Kate Chopin

Question
Use the passage from “A Pair of Silk Stockings” to answer the question.

In 3–5 sentences, identify one or more themes in the passage. Cite details from the passage to support your answer.

(4 points)

Answer 1

One clear theme is maternal responsibility and self-sacrifice: Mrs. Sommers immediately plans to spend the unexpected money on practical needs for her children—better shoes, percale for shirts, gowns, and “new stockings—two pairs apiece”—showing she puts their needs first. Another theme is the tension between modest pleasure and duty: the bulging purse gives her “a feeling of importance,” and she daydreams, yet she “did not wish to act hastily” because the “needs of the present absorbed her every faculty.” Finally, the passage contrasts present practicality with the temptation to dwell on the past—neighbors recall “better days,” but she refuses “morbid retrospection,” emphasizing her focus on immediate survival rather than nostalgia.