Underlying The Purse:

A Historical Criticism of Kather

ine Anne Porter’s story, ‘Theft’
Written and organized by Group 5
 The story starts with t
he protagonist realizing t
hat her purse is missing. T
hroughout her morning, s
he recollects the events of
last night, running into th
ree separate men that eac
h take something from he
r: happiness, love, and ho
pe. She then concludes th
at the janitress was the o
ne that stole her purse, a
nd with confrontation did
the latter eventually retur
n the purse, and refusing
when the protagonist will
ingly gives it to her as a re
ward.
 The story starts with t
he protagonist realizing t
hat her purse is missing. T
hroughout her morning, s
he recollects the events of
last night, running into th
ree separate men that eac
h take something from he
r: happiness, love, and ho
pe. She then concludes th
at the janitress was the o
ne that stole her purse, a
nd with confrontation did
the latter eventually retur
n the purse, and refusing
when the protagonist will
ingly gives it to her as a re
ward.
 The story starts with t
he protagonist realizing t
hat her purse is missing. T
hroughout her morning, s
he recollects the events of
last night, running into th
ree separate men that eac
h take something from he
r: happiness, love, and ho
pe. She then concludes th
at the janitress was the o
ne that stole her purse, a
nd with confrontation did
the latter eventually retur
n the purse, and refusing
when the protagonist will
ingly gives it to her as a re
ward.
 The story starts with t
he protagonist realizing t
hat her purse is missing. T
hroughout her morning, s
he recollects the events of
last night, running into th
ree separate men that eac
h take something from he
r: happiness, love, and ho
pe. She then concludes th
at the janitress was the o
ne that stole her purse, a
nd with confrontation did
the latter eventually retur
n the purse, and refusing
when the protagonist will
ingly gives it to her as a re
ward.
 The story starts with t
he protagonist realizing t
hat her purse is missing. T
hroughout her morning, s
he recollects the events of
last night, running into th
ree separate men that eac
h take something from he
r: happiness, love, and ho
pe. She then concludes th
at the janitress was the o
ne that stole her purse, a
nd with confrontation did
the latter eventually retur
n the purse, and refusing
when the protagonist will
ingly gives it to her as a re
ward.
 The story starts with t
he protagonist realizing t
hat her purse is missing. T
hroughout her morning, s
he recollects the events of
last night, running into th
ree separate men that eac
h take something from he
r: happiness, love, and ho
pe. She then concludes th
at the janitress was the o
ne that stole her purse, a
nd with confrontation did
the latter eventually retur
n the purse, and refusing
when the protagonist will
ingly gives it to her as a re
ward.
Overall, the story “Theft” leaves the reader with a sense of emptiness, synonymous with how the
unnamed protagonist is generally assumed to be feeling. Through a historical lens, the emotions and struggles
of the protagonist only become more apparent.
The Changing Role of Women in the 19
20s
The Changing Role of Women in the 19
20s
The 1920s was a challenging time
for women. They were expected to raise
children, keep house, provide emotional
support for their husbands, and in myriad
ways, contribute to American society.
However, during the twenties, those
demands came to seem less and less
compatible.
The Changing Role of Women in the 19
20s
The 1920s was a challenging time
for women. They were expected to raise
children, keep house, provide emotional
support for their husbands, and in myriad
ways, contribute to American society.
However, during the twenties, those
demands came to seem less and less
compatible.
The Changing Role of Women in the 19
20s
The 1920s was a challenging time
for women. They were expected to raise
Though in the
1920, there was also
children, keep house, provide emotional the first generation
support for their husbands, and in myriad of independent
ways, contribute to American society. women such as the
However, during the twenties, those flappers..
demands came to seem less and less
compatible.
The Changing Role of Women in the 19
20s
The 1920s was a challenging time
for women. They were expected to raise
Though in the
1920, there was also
children, keep house, provide emotional the first generation
support for their husbands, and in myriad of independent
ways, contribute to American society. women such as the
However, during the twenties, those flappers..
demands came to seem less and less
compatible.
The Changing Role of Women in the 19
20s
The 1920s was a challenging time
for women. They were expected to raise
Though in the
1920, there was also
children, keep house, provide emotional the first generation
support for their husbands, and in myriad of independent
ways, contribute to American society. women such as the
However, during the twenties, those flappers..
demands came to seem less and less
compatible.
Flappers of the 1920s were
young women known for their energetic
freedom, embracing a lifestyle viewed by many
at the time as outrageous, immoral or downright
dangerous. Now considered the first generation
of independent American women, flappers
pushed barriers in economic, political and sexual
freedom for women.
Social Attitudes and Cultural Practices
Social Attitudes and Cultural Practices

Fight for Women’s Rig

hts
Nellie McClung
actively fighting for
women’s voting
rights in 1911
Social Attitudes and Cultural Practices

Fight for Women’s Rig

hts Top Hats in the 1920s
Nellie McClung
The use of top hats
actively fighting for
were very important
women’s voting
to men
rights in 1911
Social Attitudes and Cultural Practices

Fight for Women’s Rig Average age of marria

hts Top Hats in the 1920s ge
Nellie McClung Women who were unmarried at
The use of top hats
actively fighting for the age of 20 or 30 are
were very important considered ‘old maids’ as
women’s voting
to men the peak of marriageable
rights in 1911 age was 18.
Power R
elation-s
hips in t
he 1920
s
Power R
elation-s
hips in t
he 1920
s
Power R
elation-s
hips in t
he 1920
s
Harlem Riot Rac
e of 1935
Harlem Riot Rac
e of 1935
● The Harlem Race Riot is the riot of Bl
ack frustration that occurred on Mar
ch 19–20, 1935, due to alleged polic
e brutality. African Americans contin
ued to be the victims of discriminator
y practices, as they were often the fir
st to be fired and the last to be hired,
and they were paid less than white p
eople. The all-white police force arres
ted 125 people, with more than 100
people injured, and 3 individuals dea
d— in which all of them were African
Americans.
Harlem Riot Rac
e of 1935
● The Harlem Race Riot is the riot of Bl
ack frustration that occurred on Mar
ch 19–20, 1935, due to alleged polic
e brutality. African Americans contin
ued to be the victims of discriminator
y practices, as they were often the fir
st to be fired and the last to be hired,
and they were paid less than white p
eople. The all-white police force arres
ted 125 people, with more than 100
people injured, and 3 individuals dea
d— in which all of them were African
Americans.
Katherine Anne Por
ter (1890-1980)
Katherine Anne Por
ter (1890-1980)
Katherine Anne Por
ter (1890-1980)
“Theft” details a brief episode in
the life of a woman whose existen
ce, which is a historical point of vi
ew, one may look at as of the likes
of Anne Porter herself— unsettled,
ephemeral, drifting.
Along with the story “Theft”, Anne Porter also published “Flowering Juda
s”.
Along with the story “Theft”, Anne Porter also published “Flowering Juda
s”.
Along with the story “Theft”, Anne Porter also published “Flowering Juda
s”.

The similarities of
both stories that she
wrote are that both
protagonists of “Theft”
and “Flowering Judas”
are self-reliant young
women in their twenties,
however, inexperienced.
Along with the story “Theft”, Anne Porter also published “Flowering Juda
s”.

The similarities of
both stories that she
wrote are that both
protagonists of “Theft”
and “Flowering Judas”
are self-reliant young
women in their twenties,
however, inexperienced.
Along with the story “Theft”, Anne Porter also published “Flowering Juda
s”.

The similarities of
both stories that she
wrote are that both
protagonists of “Theft”
and “Flowering Judas”
are self-reliant young
women in their twenties,
however, inexperienced.

They are unnecessarily idealists, one, ignoring

the potential dangers in her life, and the other, in
denial of her own unhappiness.
“Theft” by Anne Port
er
“Theft” by Anne Port
er
The Unnamed Protagonist
 Underlying The Purse:
A Historical Criticism
of Katherine Anne Po
rter’s story, ‘Theft’

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 Underlying The Purse:
A Historical Criticism
of Katherine Anne Po
rter’s story, ‘Theft’

This presentation was written and organized by:

July-Na Nickole Ronquillo Louise Alexandra Polido
Yvon Jaimee Andallon Karylle Aliswag
Angel Marie Albon Bernadette Chan
Mary Antonette Abalajen Rechell Bravo
Eugine Reyes Allyza Lobo

CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo,

including icon by Flaticon, and infographics & images from Freepik