Symbols In Chopin's The Awakening

Chopin uses several symbols to show contrast between what Mrs. Sommers was and how the $15 has made her life now. Evident When she found the money she took a couple days to decide on what to spend it on, be it her daughter?s shoes and shirt waists for her children and even new hats and formal attire (Chopin 1). In the past, Mrs. Sommers had learned to be patient in waiting in line to buy her bargain items and to hold onto those items with fierce determination (Chopin 1). However, the $15 changed all of that, Mrs. Sommers went higher up in the mall, and with the money got fitted up for new gloves and also acquiring a couple magazines, but not before purchasing a lovely pair of silk stockings (Chopin 2). As well, being used to small lunches,
she sets down at a lavish and expensive restaurant for the lunch that she missed that afternoon (Chopin 3). Even after all of that, she then took it upon herself to view a matinee play where she sat with other privileged women, far above her own class of social standing (Chopin 3). In truth, the $15 made one of Mrs. Sommers? best day a reality, new stockings, gloves, magazines, luxurious food and drink, and a play, that day she was not poor, but rather enjoyed the finer things richer people than her had available to them every day. Where Mrs. Sommers was a caring, responsible, and submissive mother, she chose to spend the $15 selfishly, not helping with the kids? clothing situation or anything at all, but exposing herself to the amenities that came with wealth and experiencing it alone.