In "A pair of silk stockings" by Chopin, a mother temporarily escapes from the daily worries and fatigue of the lower class to enjoy luxuries only available to the affluent upon the chance possession of a large sum of money. Pat Mora's "Now and Then, America" on the other hand, is a short poem depicting a fiery will to be free, different, and "sane" amid those who succumb to the confines of society's fashion, clothes, and behavior. Although both authors wrote about freedom, identity, and individuality, their attitudes toward these themes are very distinct.

"A pair of silk stockings" carries a rather gloomy mood. The main character belongs to the lower class, and as a mother of quite a few children she must constantly budget and calculate where the money is spent. She, Mrs. Sommers, i

Mrs. Sommers was able to escape from her normal life, but it was only a short fling. Her short freedom paints an accurate picture of reality and society's oppressing confines. Pat Mora's poem is a far more innocent depiction of individual hopes for freedom and identity. Both authors wrote about escape and freedom, but Chopin's attitude toward these themes is darkened by reality while Pat Mora's attitude is lifted by hope and passion.

s so consumed by her family's needs that she often forgets to consider her own. Upon the possession of a large sum of money, Mrs. Sommers is at first judicious in planning where the sum should be spent; however, her pragmatism and sense are lost when she accidentally brushed against a silk stocking. Overwhelmed by a sudden urge to indulge, she bought the stockings, and then proceeded to buy dainty g

Some common words found in the essay are:
Mora's America, Pat Mora, Pat Mora's, Mora's Attitudes, pat mora's, possession sum money, chopin's short story, chopin's short, pair silk stockings, sum money, lower class, authors wrote, short story, silk stockings, pair silk, possession sum, freedom identity,
Approximate Word count = 563
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)