Themes

The meta-theme of the short story “A Pair of Silk Stockings” by Kate Chopin is women’s desire for self-fulfillment. This broad theme encompasses several specific themes such as the desire for luxury, and the challenges of middle-class women. The author’s intention was to capture the psychology of women contemporary with her, to make their voice heard through the story of Mrs. Sommers and promote the idea that women should be liberated from traditional roles.

Women’s desire for self-fulfillment

Using several symbolic elements related to shopping, “A Pair of Silk Stockings” explores the theme of women’s desire for self-fulfillment at the end of the nineteenth century. During that period, women’s liberation movements were still very timid, and traditional roles were still dominant.

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Desire for luxury

The desire for luxury is the dominant theme within the big meta-theme of women’s self-fulfillment. In the short story, Mrs. Sommers’ desires are triggered by accidentally touching a pair of silk stockings, which exert an ecstatic attraction on her, reminding her of better days in her life, when she had no financial concerns.

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Challenges of middle-class women

The short story depicts a lower middle-class woman, Mrs. Sommers, who is probably a widow – for her husband is only mentioned once – and who struggles with the upbringing her children, two girls and several boys.

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