Infamous Outfits
Though the colonel dresses well, one of his peculiar tastes is his love for his old clothes. Even if his clothes are worn and have holes in them, he still wears them, claiming that they make him feel more at home than any new clothes could.The colonel’s adamant persistence frustrates his wife to no end. Despite all her protestations, the colonel won’t listen to her. She even goes so far as to claim that “the dressing-room [looks] like a haberdasher’s shop.” But her words fall on deaf ears and the colonel persists in wearing his old clothes.
Yet, one day, while the colonel is out, a peddler arrives at their house with his goods. He quickly spreads before them a number of good items and deals.
The colonel’s wife begins eying the glass ware and plated ware in particular. Seeing her gaze, the peddler says, “Ver sheap, ... only two dollar—sheap as dirt. If te lady hash any old closhes, it is petter as money.”
Hearing this, the colonel’s wife judiciously inspects some lovely glass pitchers. She knocks on the pitchers and checks their balance, finding nothing wrong with them. Their servant Chloe then does the same.
Having thoroughly inspected the pitchers and asked about a few other goods, the colonel’s wife and Chloe both go upstairs into the colonel’s room to find old clothes to barter. They soon come down with a pile of clothes to barter with.
The first article of clothing is the colonel’s pantaloons, which prove to be rather worn out. The peddler smiles contemptuously at this first offering, then receives a drab overcoat. Upon further inspection, the peddler assures the ladies that he won’t be able to make much money off these pieces.
Nevertheless, after going through some more of the colonel’s old clothes, the two ladies and the peddler come to a final agreement. The ladies will give the peddler the old pantaloons, waistcoat, and coat. In return, the peddler will give the ladies two decanters, one pitcher, the plated candlesticks, a hearth-brush, and a small scarlet tray.
They finish their transactions and the peddler leaves. The colonel’s wife feels very proud of herself, until her husband returns.
The colonel looks upon her treasures with contempt: “What, this trash? ... blown glass and washed brass! Who has been fooling you?” She must soon explain to him how she acquired these treasures.
Through her story, Gilman compares the husband and wife. In doing so, she demonstrates how each makes a mistake (due to their individual tastes).
Despite these mistakes, Gilman’s comic tone hints that the reader should laugh at such mistakes. Much like Thomas Wolfe in “You Can’t Go Home Again,” Gilman says: “Make your mistakes, take your chances, look silly, but keep on going. Don’t freeze up.”
Though life often presents itself in old, torn clothing and seemingly rich dish ware, Gilman shows that these funny faults should be laughed at. Mistakes usually highlight the comical side of mankind most.
