Student Essay on A Pair of Silk Stockings

Before receving the sudden wealth, Mrs. Sommers lives a fairly poor life with her small children. Because of her financial condition, she is very frugal and values the importance of bargaining. Sometimes, she "could stand [in lines] for hours making her way inch by inch toward the desired object that was selling below the cost." Moreover, Mrs. Sommers is known for her unselfishness towards her children. She always put them on her priority list and she always wants them to receive the best that she can provide. When she finds the unexpected fifteen dollars, she immediately makes plan to spend it on her children. "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." As a result, she plans to go on a shopping trip.

During Mrs. Sommers' shopping trip, she is slowly weakened by the desire for a moment of luxury. Before her trip, "between getting the children fed, the place righted, and preparing herself for the shopping bout, she had actually forgotten to eat any luncheon at all." With an empty stomach, touching the soothing pair of silk stocking is like kissing the devil of desire. Gradually, Mrs. Sommers becomes more and more obsessed with the power of materialism that she has completely forgotten about the plan she has made for her children. She begins to spend freely on the objects that she wants and treats herself nicely for something she had not enjoyed for a long time. Now, money is not an issue on her mind, "she did not mind the difference of a dollar or two more in the price so long as she got what she desired." Thus, at the end of her trip, Mrs. Sommers has turn into an unrealistic and self-centered woman who doesn't want her rich dream to end.

In conclusion, Mrs. Sommers is the kind of character that has a powerful desire for a moment of luxury inside of her, but due to her living situation, she tries hard to hide it. More importantly, her dynamic character plays out the fantasy of all people, rich or poor: to be someone they are not, and for a day, live someone else's life style even though it is temporary and unrealistic