Have you known anyone willing to experience pain for vanity’s sake? Did the outcome justify the means?

I have known people who have experienced pain for vanity, but it wasn't always worth it.
One easy example is tattoos. I know many people who have permanent tattoos, and they regret it after a few months, because it changes their position in society greatly, while the needle hurts a lot.
Another good example is when a girl will go out with someone they don't love, just so that they can brag to their friends about having a boyfriend. I've known many people who have done this, and they think its cool at the start, but end up being driven to tears.

What is the author's purpose?

The author of the short story "By Any Other Name" is not very direct in speech as to what she is trying to make the reader think, which makes it that much more interesting to read.
The author, throughout the story, describes different aspects of the clash of cultures, from a personal point of view, which could make her purpose something related to anti-racism or the wish for the world to be friends with itself.

What makes an incident in am individual's life worth retelling?

I had to think about this one for a while, because I couldn't choose an answer, and in the end, I believe that an incident can be worth retelling for moral education, so as to teach others about what is right or wrong. It can also help people learn from your mistakes. Sometimes though, another's memories simply help us get a new perspective on how we are compared to the world, and make us a bit less selfish.