With the Violin by Kate Chopin
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security and social status. She becomes pregnant but the child dies at birth. The husband's reaction to the loss of their child reveals his true character, and she begins to question her marriage and her own identity.
By Kate Chopin · First published 1890 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Short Story · 1,982 words
First lines
"And he over the mantlepiece with big black eyes, and such long black hair, and a violin; is he your brother too, Papa Konrad? And why do you keep a green branch always hanging over his picture?"
"No, that is not my brother, Sophie; that is an angel whom the good God allowed once, to save a poor desperate human being from sin and death."
What this Textopian page supports
With the Violin is listed on Textopian as a short story by Kate Chopin, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Short Story, Philosophical Fiction, Christmas Fiction
- Length: 1,982 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for With the Violin by Kate Chopin
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering With the Violin?
- How does this short story by Kate Chopin fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Drawing In India Ink by Hjalmar Soderberg
- An Artists Story by Anton Chekhov
- The Wife by Emily Dickinson
- The Umbrella Man by Mary E. Wilkins
- Regret by Kate Chopin
- The Butterfly House by Mary E. Wilkins
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deep emotional themes and character development, focusing on the human experience.
- Magical Realism — Elements of the supernatural, such as the transformative power of music, are woven into a realistic setting.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and self-contained, typical of the short story format.
- Philosophical Fiction — The story raises questions about life, death, and the human condition.
Tags
Literary Fiction · American Literature · Short Story Collection · Marriage · Relationships · Family Dynamics · Social Class · Romance · Tragedy · Loss · Grief · Isolation