Read both “A Pair of Silk Stockings” by Kate Chopin and “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant. In a 1-page response, answer the following questions. Use specific examples from the stories in your response.
- Compare the main characters, Mrs. Sommers from "A Pair of Silk Stockings" and Mathilde Loisel from "The Necklace." How are their personalities, motivations, and desires similar or different? Use specific moments of “Speech” and “Thoughts” to support your comparison.
- Discuss the impact of material possessions on the characters' lives and choices. How do their interactions with material items reflect their values, priorities, or sense of self?
- Explore the key conflicts driving the narratives in both stories. How do internal and external conflicts shape the actions and decisions of the characters? How are these conflicts resolved, and what impact does it have on the story's outcome?