T.S. Arthur’s Short Story: ‘Dressed for a Party’

T.S. Arthur’s Short Story: ‘Dressed for a Party’
Artist William Bouguereau painted the beautiful side of people as in this portrait of “Gabrielle Cot,” 1890. Private collection: Fred and Sherry Ross. Public Domain
Kate Vidimos
Updated:

Just as a mirror reflects how we see ourselves, so what we wear signals to others how we want them to think about us. Every time we decide on how to dress and what to wear, we choose to either hide behind the superficiality of dress or complement our inner selves by our outward adornments.

In his short story “Dressed for a Party,” T.S. Arthur contemplates the importance of how we dress, especially when others will see us. By using the character of young Alice, who is preparing for a party, the author shows the role that our consciousness plays when we choose what to wear. After Alice dresses, she presents herself to her Aunt Helen.

Courting Admiration

Adorned in “white, with a superfluity of pink trimming, jewelry and flowers,” Alice truly admires how she looks and feels ready to go to the party: “She thinks the make up splendid—the effect striking.”
Kate Vidimos
Kate Vidimos
Author
Kate Vidimos is a 2020 graduate from the liberal arts college at the University of Dallas, where she received her bachelor’s degree in English. She plans on pursuing all forms of storytelling (specifically film) and is currently working on finishing and illustrating a children’s book.
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