A Respectable Woman by Kate Chopin
In Kate Chopin’s short story “A Respectable Woman,” Mrs. Baroda is a married woman who is invited to a weekend retreat at the plantation of her friend, Gouvernail. She is tempted to accept the invitation, but is hesitant because of her husband’s disapproval. Despite her husband’s wishes, Mrs. Baroda decides to go and is soon overcome with a feeling of freedom and independence. At the plantation, Mrs. Baroda is drawn to Gouvernail, a young man who is a guest at the plantation. She is intrigued by his mysterious and aloof nature, and finds herself increasingly attracted to him. As the weekend progresses, Mrs. Baroda and Gouvernail become closer, and she begins to feel a strong connection to him. When the weekend is over, Mrs. Baroda returns home to her husband, but she is changed. She is no longer content with her marriage and is determined to find a way to be with Gouvernail. In the end, Mrs. Baroda decides to remain with her husband, but she is forever changed by her experience with Gouvernail.
By Kate Chopin · First published 1899 · Genre: Realism, Feminism, Romance · 1,458 words
First lines
Mrs. Baroda was a little provoked to learn that her husband expected his friend, Gouvernail, up to spend a week or two on the plantation.
They had entertained a good deal during the winter; much of the time had also been passed in New Orleans in various forms of mild dissipation.
What this Textopian page supports
A Respectable Woman is listed on Textopian as a short story by Kate Chopin, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Kate Chopin
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Feminism, Romance
- Length: 1,458 words
- Structure: 1 section, 48 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Respectable Woman by Kate Chopin
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Respectable Woman?
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- Where does Realism first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Realism — The story follows the protagonist, Mrs. Baroda, as she navigates the social expectations of a woman in the late 19th century. The writing style is realistic and the themes of the story are rooted in the realities of the time period.
- Feminism — The story follows Mrs. Baroda as she struggles to reconcile her own desires with the expectations of society. The story explores themes of gender roles and the power dynamics between men and women.
- Romance — The story follows Mrs. Baroda as she navigates her feelings for a man who is not her husband. The story explores themes of love and desire, and the power of attraction.
Tags
Realistic Fiction · air · apostrophe · baroda · care · cigar · city · commotion · darkness · days · desire · enveloped