"Souvenir" is a story about a middle-class American family, all of whose members live separately. Research contemporary demographic patterns in the United States. How often do people move now as opposed to several generations ago? How far away do they typically move? How large is an average family today compared to fifty years ago? What do you think these demographic patterns tell us about society?

"Souvenir" is a portrait of a family. The bond between mother and daughter is highlighted. There appears to be a certain degree of rivalry between sister and brother. Reread the story closely, paying special attention to the development of the children's relationship to their parents and to each other. To what extent have Kate and Robert become the adults that they are because of their responses to their parents' expectations and to each other? Imagine a conversation...