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A RESPECTABLE WOMAN by Kate Chopin

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The short story ‘A Respectable Woman’ is structured around the character of Mrs. Baroda and her inner conflict as she finds herself attracted to her husband's friend. The conflict follows the pattern of classical fiction and moves from exposition to rising action and then to climax and resolution. 

CHARACTERS:

1. Mrs. Baroda (Wife)

2. Mr. Gaston (Husband)

2. Gouvernail (Gaston's College Friend)

SUMMARY:

Mrs. Baroda was annoyed to learn that her husband had invited his friend, Gouvernail, to stay with them for a week or two on their plantation. They had been socializing a lot during the winter and spending time in New Orleans, and she was looking forward to a period of rest and quiet time alone with her husband. Instead, Gouvernail was coming to visit.

She had heard about Gouvernail but never met him. He was her husband’s college friend and now a journalist, not a socialite. She imagined him as tall, slim, and cynical, with eyeglasses and his hands in his pockets, and she didn’t like him. When he arrived, he wasn’t tall or cynical, didn’t wear glasses or keep his hands in his pockets. Surprisingly, she liked him when they first met.

However, she couldn’t understand why she liked him. He didn’t have the brilliant qualities her husband had praised. He was quiet, polite, and didn’t try to impress her. He enjoyed sitting on the porch, smoking a cigar, and listening to her husband talk about sugar planting. He liked petting the dogs but wasn’t interested in fishing or hunting.

Mrs. Baroda found Gouvernail puzzling but likeable. After a few days, she stopped trying to understand him and instead avoided him and her husband. When Gouvernail didn’t mind, she started joining him on walks. She tried to get to know him better but couldn’t.

One day, she asked her husband when Gouvernail was leaving, saying he bored her. Her husband didn’t understand her complaint and thought Gouvernail wasn’t causing any trouble. She wished Gouvernail were more demanding so she could be more involved in making him comfortable.

Her husband found her reaction surprising and amusing, reminding her that Gouvernail was just there to rest. She planned to leave for the city the next day and asked her husband to inform her when Gouvernail was gone.

That night, she sat alone under a tree, thinking about her confused feelings. Gouvernail found her, brought her a scarf, and sat beside her. He talked about his college days with her husband and his current contentment with life. She barely listened to his words, focusing instead on his voice. She felt a strong urge to touch him but resisted and eventually left him.

She considered telling her husband about her feelings but decided against it. She left for the city early the next morning and didn’t return until Gouvernail had left. Later, her husband suggested having Gouvernail back, but she opposed it. However, by the end of the year, she herself proposed inviting Gouvernail again. Her husband was surprised and pleased. She assured him she had overcome her initial dislike and would be very nice to him this time.

SHORT ANALYSIS:

Summary: Mrs. Baroda feels irritated when her husband invites his friend Gouvernail to their plantation, disrupting her anticipated rest and private time. Initially, she dislikes Gouvernail based on preconceived notions but grows to like him, though she finds him puzzling and unremarkable. Despite her growing affection, she struggles with her feelings and ultimately avoids acting on them. She leaves for the city to distance herself, returning only after Gouvernail's departure. Eventually, she reconciles her feelings and suggests inviting him back, promising to be more welcoming.

Analysis: The story explores themes of internal conflict, societal expectations, and personal restraint. Mrs. Baroda's initial resistance to Gouvernail reflects her desire for control and predictability in her life. Her unexpected attraction to him challenges her self-image as a "respectable woman," creating an internal struggle between her emotions and her social role. The narrative highlights the complexity of human emotions and the difficulty of navigating unbidden attractions within the confines of societal norms. Mrs. Baroda's decision to distance herself from Gouvernail and later reconcile her feelings suggests a resolution through introspection and a reaffirmation of her commitment to her role and responsibilities. The story underscores the tension between personal desires and societal expectations, illustrating the nuanced nature of respectability and personal integrity.

SOURCES:

Works Cited

Chopin, Kate. “A Respectable Woman.” Kate Chopin, https://www.katechopin.org/pdfs/Kate%20Chopin%2C%20A%20Respectable%20Woman.pdf. Accessed 27 July 2024.

Curriculum Development Centre. “A Respectable Woman.” English Class 12, 1st ed., Ministry of Education, Science and Technology: Curriculum Development Centre, 2021, pp. 184-188.

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