Lifted Masks; stories

"Lifted Masks" by Susan Glaspell is a collection of short stories that looks at what's beneath the surface of early 20th-century society. It explores themes of identity, what's expected of men and women, and the rules society puts on people, weaving personal stories with bigger social questions. The book makes readers think about the masks people wear and why they wear them. For example, "One of Those Impossible Americans" introduces Virginia, an American woman in Paris, trying to figure out her cultural identity while dealing with Parisians and other Americans. Her meeting with William P. Johnson, a big American man, reveals a mix of pride and embarrassment as Virginia tries to stay calm while dealing with cultural stereotypes. This sets the stage for a look at national pride and personal relationships, as Virginia is both amused and feels sorry for William as he struggles to shop in a foreign country. Their initial interaction hints at a growing relationship and shows how complex human connections can be across different cultures.