Realism Review

Read and answer the following questions from the story/poems:
“A Pair of Silk Stockings” by Kate Chopin (570)

Contemporary Connection: “Now and Then, America” by Pat Mora (576)
“Douglass” by Paul L. Dunbar (598)
“We Wear the Mask” by Paul L. Dunbar (599)

1.       Dunbar and Chopin both present admirable characters in “Douglass” and “A Pair of Silk Stockings” What similarities do you see between Mrs. Sommers and Frederick Douglass?

2.      A feminist critic might say “A Pair of Silk Stockings” is about a woman who is striving to gain personal freedom and identity. A Marxist critic might say it is about the class struggle. The critic Barbara C. Ewell writes, “The power of money to enhance self-esteem and confidence is the core of this poignant tale.” Which critic do you agree with, if any?

3.      Both Chopin and Pat Mora write about escape, freedom, identity, and individuality. Compare and contrast the two writers’ attitudes toward these themes. What kinds of images do they use to convey their messages? What comment on life is each making?

4.      In his poems “Douglass” and “We Wear the Mask,” Dunbar focuses on the struggles of African Americans to achieve equality.  What is Dunbar saying about the prospects for African Americans to be treated fairly?

5.      How do these three works reflect the elements of Realism (see list on p. 457)? Your answer should include the short story and examples from each poem.