2. In “Two Sisters,” adultery is presented in the perspectives of the sisters, Constance and Mercy.

Constance is vehemently opposed, likely because of her family and upcoming second child, while Mercy
continues to benefit from it. To begin, Constance argues that Mercy should not be engaging in adultery
(89-90), and even brings it up to her husband as a problem to solve: “we must do something about it…”
(98). She clearly does not want her sister to engage in adultery, and this is likely due to her having a
family, considering that in her own speech, she contrasts Mercy’s adultery to her love for her husband: “I
love James and I am not interested in any other man” (90). On the other hand, Mercy is at the most
neutral- she doesn’t imply she is fond of it or disgusted, but continues to engage in adultery for the
material gain. The story introduces her through her inner narration that chastises her current boyfriend for
not being that rich- driving a taxi (87), and while she seems to be ashamed of her act- as evidenced by her
being “sad” while laughing (91), she also seems to want a family (89). All of this can support the idea that
while Mercy does want a family, her inner desire to have material wealth seem to overshadow it.

3. In “Two Sisters,” the greatest hypocrisy in the story- and its connection to consumerism, comes from
the characterization of Mercy. She simultaneously wants a family while committing adultery- and getting
material gain out of it. The story introduces her fakeness at the beginning- by personifying her singing
shoes (88) as being more “realistic than her,” and her breakdown at wanting a family (89), yet continuing
to commit adultery- even after her current paramour is arrested (102)- seems to imply that she values
commercial gain- like her handbag and shoes (90)- over having a family.