7-12-07

“Daystar”

“Later that night when Thomas rolled over and lurched into her, she would open her eyes and think of the place that was hers for an hour-where she was nothing, pure nothing in the middle of the day.”

This passage evoked a strong reaction in my mind because of the imagery created by the word “lurched,” and the phrase “a place that was hers.” This makes me feel like her husband may be raping her. The word “lurch” is not only a word that stimulates thoughts of discomfort, but also of involuntary and non-intimate submission. The fact that her eyes ere closed as he lurched into her also struck me, for she was obviously either asleep or attempting to fall asleep as he initiated such intercourse. In addition, the fact that she had to imagine a place that was hers indicates not only that she may be in an unhappy relationship, but also she feels as if her ownership of her body does not belong to her, but to her husband. Her mental escape to her daytime getaway proves even further that this is the only time that she has to herself for reflection and comfort.

“A Pair of Silk Stockings”

“The play was over, the music ceased, the crowd filed out. It was like a dream ended.”

This quote made me feel like Mrs. Sommers definitely used the fifteen dollars to make herself feel like a queen. Due to her obligations and responsibilities, she was not able to take time to herself, as was mentioned earlier in the story. I am personally glad that she used the fifteen dollars to show herself a good time, since she obviously puts her children first at other times. She needed some stress relief, and I’m glad she took it. This particular quote adds a sense of reality to the story; she temporarily escaped what was weighing her down and enjoyed herself, which she seemed to not have had the opportunity to do before.

“Why I Want a Wife”

“And I want a wife that understands that my sexual needs may entail more than strict adherence to monogamy. I must, after all, be able to relate to people as fully as possible.”

This quote caught my attention because it says a few things. First of all, it tells another side of the story. Usually, men are applauded for promiscuity, while women are frowned upon and called sluts. This quote shows that men justify their infidelity with poor excuses. It also shows that women have the desire to have a sex life that is not restricted to the confines of a strictly monogamous relationship in which she is left unfulfilled. She wants to escape this kind of a relationship, in whatever way this may be. I also feel like this quote contributes to the fact that women should be viewed as more than objects to use for their husbands’ sexual pleasure. Women should be appreciated, and sex should be an act that is enjoyable, as well as passionate, for both parties involved. Finally, this quote indicates that women do, in fact embody the concepts that she is alluding to. For the overall work, this quote adds to the fact that wives are something to be appreciated and not taken for granted.