Question

1. review this passage from the end of kate chopins story \a pair of silk stockings.\

a man with keen eyes, who sat opposite to her, seemed to like the study of her small, pale face. it puzzled him to decipher what he saw there. in truth, he saw nothing-unless he were wizard enough to detect a poignant wish, a powerful longing that the cable car would never stop anywhere, but go on and on with her forever.

what does this quote say about mrs. sommers future and what she would prefer it to be?

she doesnt want to return to her life of responsibility and hardship.
she doesnt want to return the beautiful clothes she bought earlier.
she doesnt want to have to explain to her children where the money went.
she doesnt ever want to see her children again.

Explanation:

Analyze the passage

Using the Textual Evidence knowledge point, we examine the quote: "a poignant wish, a powerful longing that the cable car would never stop anywhere, but go on and on with her forever." The cable car is taking Mrs. Sommers back to her everyday life. Her longing for it to never stop represents a desire to escape her reality.

Connect to the theme

Using the Theme Analysis knowledge point, we connect this longing to her life circumstances. Mrs. Sommers is a mother who has spent her day indulging in small luxuries after living a life of constant self-denial, struggle, and responsibility. The "poignant wish" to ride forever shows she does not want to return to her difficult daily routine of hardship and family responsibilities.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: "She doesn't want to return to her life of responsibility and hardship." This directly matches her longing to escape her reality.
• Option 2: "She doesn't want to return the beautiful clothes she bought earlier." The passage does not mention returning purchased items.
• Option 3: "She doesn't want to have to explain to her children where the money went." This is not supported by the text.
• Option 4: "She doesn't want ever to see her children again." This is an extreme misinterpretation; she loves her children but is exhausted by her hardships.

Answer:

• (A) She doesn't want to return to her life of responsibility and hardship. (Correct answer)
• (B) She doesn't want to return the beautiful clothes she bought earlier.
• (C) She doesn't want to have to explain to her children where the money went.
• (D) She doesn't ever want to see her children again.