A Time For Change
In Kate Chopin’s “A Respectable Woman”, the reader is introduced to the fictional story of Mrs. Baroda’s life. She is married to her loving husband, Gaston, but begins to experience tormented feelings when her husband’s friend, Gouvernail, visits the married couple on their plantation. Although Chopin ends the story rather abruptly, it is inferred that Baroda has feelings for Governail. This is why on Governail’s next visit, Mrs. Baroda, is going to overcome her own perception of what a respectable woman is, and pursue an affair with him. The reader is ascertained by this through the way Mrs. Baroda is intrigued by Gouvernail’s thoughts, when she unexpectedly leaves her husband and his plantation until Gouvernail leaves, …show more content…
This is deemed to be scandalous in an era where women did not have many rights. As JoAnn Marshall says in her article, The Roles of Southern Women, Black and White, in Society “women of Southern societies, are supposed to do housework chores and obey their husbands.” Chopin says that Baroda “chooses to leave and visit her aunt Octavine in the city for the week.” (245). The harmonious life that she thought she had, gave her no satisfaction anymore, and she did not wish to live in those conditions for any longer. By leaving her husband’s home, it is evident that she wants to remove herself from the image of marriage and the control her husband has on her. Like Chopin writes “When Gaston arose in the morning, his wife had already departed. She had taken an early morning train to the city.” (245). She decides that she does not want to be bound by the laws of marriage anymore. Not only does she do that, but she also decides to keep secrets from her husband, Gaston. Chopin says that Mrs. Baroda “was greatly tempted that night to tell her husband—who was also her friend—of this folly that had seized her with Gouvernail. But she did not yield to the temptation. Beside being a respectable woman, she was a very sensible one; she knows that there are some battles in life that a human being must fight alone.” (245). And while on her weeklong journey of self discovery, she recognizes that …show more content…
At the end of the story, she confesses to Gaston that “I have overcome everything! You will see. This time I shall be very nice to him.” (246). The fact that Mrs. Baroda tells Gaston that she has overthrown everything is the most important part of the story. Not only does this suggest that Chopin intends her heroine to alter her own perception of what a respectable woman is, it also insinuates that Mrs. Baroda has found her freedom outside of societal norms. This now means that she scorns ideas of being a part of in a society of wealth and superficial obsession that means nothing to her. She uses her newfound sense to reject her old lifestyle that took away so much from her. By casting herself out, like Gouvernail, it seems that, through her decision, she has found enlightenment even though many other people thrive in a comfortable and constant life. Baroda’s wish of pursuing an affair with her husband’s best friend is not a heinous one. Instead, it is a medium for her to discover herself in her impulsivity.
Baroda realizes that she wants to adhere to herself, even if that means that her reputation will be ruined. She willingly wants to risk it all with Gouvernail by her side instead of submitting back to her reality again. By listening to her own self, she is able to pinpoint her essence and create an authenticity. Though Gaston has only treated
In Kate Chopin’s “A Respectable Woman”, the reader is introduced to the fictional story of Mrs. Baroda’s life. She is married to her loving husband, Gaston, but begins to experience tormented feelings when her husband’s friend, Gouvernail, visits the married couple on their plantation. Although Chopin ends the story rather abruptly, it is inferred that Baroda has feelings for Governail. This is why on Governail’s next visit, Mrs. Baroda, is going to overcome her own perception of what a respectable woman is, and pursue an affair with him. The reader is ascertained by this through the way Mrs. Baroda is intrigued by Gouvernail’s thoughts, when she unexpectedly leaves her husband and his plantation until Gouvernail leaves, …show more content…
This is deemed to be scandalous in an era where women did not have many rights. As JoAnn Marshall says in her article, The Roles of Southern Women, Black and White, in Society “women of Southern societies, are supposed to do housework chores and obey their husbands.” Chopin says that Baroda “chooses to leave and visit her aunt Octavine in the city for the week.” (245). The harmonious life that she thought she had, gave her no satisfaction anymore, and she did not wish to live in those conditions for any longer. By leaving her husband’s home, it is evident that she wants to remove herself from the image of marriage and the control her husband has on her. Like Chopin writes “When Gaston arose in the morning, his wife had already departed. She had taken an early morning train to the city.” (245). She decides that she does not want to be bound by the laws of marriage anymore. Not only does she do that, but she also decides to keep secrets from her husband, Gaston. Chopin says that Mrs. Baroda “was greatly tempted that night to tell her husband—who was also her friend—of this folly that had seized her with Gouvernail. But she did not yield to the temptation. Beside being a respectable woman, she was a very sensible one; she knows that there are some battles in life that a human being must fight alone.” (245). And while on her weeklong journey of self discovery, she recognizes that …show more content…
At the end of the story, she confesses to Gaston that “I have overcome everything! You will see. This time I shall be very nice to him.” (246). The fact that Mrs. Baroda tells Gaston that she has overthrown everything is the most important part of the story. Not only does this suggest that Chopin intends her heroine to alter her own perception of what a respectable woman is, it also insinuates that Mrs. Baroda has found her freedom outside of societal norms. This now means that she scorns ideas of being a part of in a society of wealth and superficial obsession that means nothing to her. She uses her newfound sense to reject her old lifestyle that took away so much from her. By casting herself out, like Gouvernail, it seems that, through her decision, she has found enlightenment even though many other people thrive in a comfortable and constant life. Baroda’s wish of pursuing an affair with her husband’s best friend is not a heinous one. Instead, it is a medium for her to discover herself in her impulsivity.
Baroda realizes that she wants to adhere to herself, even if that means that her reputation will be ruined. She willingly wants to risk it all with Gouvernail by her side instead of submitting back to her reality again. By listening to her own self, she is able to pinpoint her essence and create an authenticity. Though Gaston has only treated