It is John Gardner's novel "Grendel" from 1971 that initiated the trend of telling a story from a monster's point of view. The story is essentially the epic poem Beowulf spoken trough the eyes of Grendel
In "A Pair of Silk Stockings," the silk stockings are a symbol of C.) MRS. SOMMER'S SELFISH NEEDS.
Instead of buying the things needed by her children from the little money she got, Mrs. Sommer's opted to buy the silk stockings she found while searching for items needed by her kids.
She was drawn to buy it because it gave her the illusion of being a rich lady with no worries in the world. The silk stockings gave her the chance to live her fantasy.
