The ghosts in the house in ôA Haunted Houseö are the ghosts of all the previous young lovers, now dead, whose treasure still lies buried in the house. The house is now occupied by another young couple in love, and the ghosts of lovers from the past search through the house to find the treasure they left there. The treasure they left there is the love they shared, and the ôlight in the heartö that is eternal, overcomes physical death, and remains in tact in the house in the form of ôlove upon the lipsö of the new couple who own it (102).
The homeless, to a large degree, are responsible for themselves. Unless they are mentally ill, most homeless people are capable of working. When they do not, society becomes responsible for them. In ôEl Tanto del Barrioö, the community resolves the problem by providing Romero with his basic needs (food, grooming, drink, etc.) in exchange for the services he voluntarily provides. It is a mutually beneficial exchange, and Romero is ôalways cheerfulùalways with some songö (110). When Seferino begins paying Romero, this relationship falls apart. This is a commentary that society aids the homeless more by helping to supply them with aid than by trying to make them conform to norms of the non-homeless.
The wife in ôThe Necklaceö is driven by her desires. She believes she is below her station in life. This makes her materialistic and vain. She is also ambitious and strives for upward mobility through material expressions. Her husband is in stark contrast. He is content and humble with his station in life. He is willing to sacrifice for the happiness of others, particularly his wife, and he is very understanding and honorable. While he is appreciative, his wife is never satisfied. We see this when she says ôWhat do you want me to do with that?ö when her husband provides her with a prized invitation (103). Her characte
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