Poor Miss Brill!

Man, I didn't like this story.  I felt really bad for Miss Brill at the end, and the last thing I want to read about is a lonely and sad elderly lady whose only enjoyments in life are these Sunday strolls where she gets to 'act' in the play called life, only to have that one pleasure ruined by some snotty little PDA-oholic lovers who indecently talk mean about her right within earshot.  As if she couldn't hear!  Hmph, this post is getting me really worked up.  On to a question then, I suppose.

#7. What is the purpose of the fur piece? What is the source of the crying in the final sentence of the story?

I saw the fur piece as her little confidence booster.  She felt stylish with it on, and only wore it on what I would assume to be Sundays.  It made her feel special and important, and she obviously has a strong connection with it (at one point talking to it and fantasizing about simply stroking it), and so it possibly holds some sentimental value with her.  The source of the crying is Miss Brill, and this was the part that really got me the most.  She truly is acting in this life of hers, putting on an act and thinking that her life is some perfect little series of repetitions: going to the Jardins Publiques, listening to the band play, watching young couples mysteriously from 'her' special bench, even the trip to the baker where she may find an almond in her cake.  When she gets home, she realizes that these things don't fulfill her life, and that she is actually very lonely in her cupboard world.  This story made me want to cry.