Stories by Kate Chopin Essay Example

Kate Chopin’s literary works often revolve around women who struggle to achieve their aspirations or find pieces of their identity that contribute to their wholeness. She portrays the layers of confusion and contradiction that society, and women’s own subservience to men and institutions, have created, with women peeling them away to realize their humanness. The author uses language and images of nature to emphasize her main points, ultimately creating literary works that are truly classic and enjoyable to read and reread. As Chopin wrote in “Awakening” (78), there were times when the protagonist could not understand why life felt like a grotesque pandemonium and humanity like worms struggling senselessly towards inescapable annihilation.

Chopin's poignant portrayal of Edna Pontellier's descent into despair in The Awakening is exemplified in the climactic moment when she gives in to the yearnings of her soul. The line "The voice of the sea is seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander in abysses of solitude" (Chopin 154) is steeped in vivid imagery and compelling personification. It beautifully illustrates the allure of solitude and entices readers to experience the character's journey alongside her.

Upon reading The Awakening, one can infer that 19th century society was inherently flawed, with remnants of that flawed social order still being present today. However, women in modern society are generally given more respect and credibility due to a greater understanding of their societal contributions, capabilities, and aspirations. This greater knowledge is paradoxically achieved through the suppression of rationality, as Edna's development illustrates. While some readers may focus on the sensuous imagery and characterization of Edna, a more perceptive reader will note the protagonist's weaknesses

alongside a society that both encourages and restrains her personal aspirations, ultimately leading to her rebirth and transformation. Throughout the novel, similes and metaphors are prevalent. Numerous instances highlight Edna sleeping or awakening from a nap to symbolize her mental and emotional state.

Throughout the book, there are numerous references to the piano, not only representing the cultured demeanor of the female characters but also the emotional creativity and underappreciated abilities of women during a past era. Edna Pontellier is moved by the exquisite piano playing of Mademoiselle Reisz, who humbly acknowledges that only Edna can truly appreciate it. These scenes reflect the fact that although women could find support in each other, society at large did not grant them equal rights in the 1800s across Europe and elsewhere, in both private and public spheres. The book thus symbolizes women's struggle in a patriarchal society, whether as wives or as individuals trying to voice their opinions. One of the symbols of a woman's self-awareness is her swimming, as depicted in the novel.

In "Awakening" (37), we see how Edna Pontellier is encouraged to swim by those around her and sees it as easy, despite a frightening encounter with death. Kate Chopin sensitively portrays a woman navigating a moral and personal conflict as she engages in an extramarital affair with a liberated man, highlighting broader social realities. Although some may view Edna as morally weak, Chopin may have intended to depict her as an intensely self-directed woman. Through Edna, Chopin presents a somewhat progressive view of femininity.

At first, the protagonist hides her thoughts and emotions, but as she discovers herself, she learns to express her feelings to Robert

LeBrun. In one instance, she tells him, “You have made me so unhappy with your indifference” (“Awakening” 146). This could also refer to societal indifference towards women’s rights in the 19th century. Kate Chopin’s other work, The Story of An Hour, also explores the limited rights of women in the past. Louise Mallard, the protagonist, is a reserved woman whose life revolves around her husband. When she learns of his death in a train accident, she initially feels shock and sadness, but later considers the opportunities that could be presented to her in the future.

In this short story by Kate Chopin, her fluid prose and captivating storytelling style are once again on display. Chopin uses personification to great effect, such as in the line, “She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring of life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air” (“Story” par. 5). Through the use of vivid imagery, readers can experience the breakthrough moment felt by the story's main character. Nature is used by Chopin to highlight Mrs.'s yearning for freedom, hope, and joyous feelings.

The use of repetitive language, as seen in Mrs. Mallard's exclamation of "free, free, free!" ("Story" par. 11), highlights the feeling of being trapped in a dissatisfying marriage experienced by the story's protagonist, Mallard.

The large armchair in Mrs. Mallard's room, where she first hears about her husband's death, represents a place of comfort and relief in "The Story of an Hour." Through the window, she observes the bustling square below and the patches of blue sky peeking through clouds to the

west. This imagery reflects the protagonist's uncertain position between the constraints of domesticity and the potential for personal fulfillment.

The author’s use of personification for the clouds emphasizes the fact that life continues beyond Mrs. Mallard’s home and she eagerly anticipates what lies ahead. The readers can feel Mrs. Mallard’s exhilarating delight at the mere prospect. According to Chopin, “she was drinking in a very elixir of life through that open window” (“Story” par. 17). Moreover, the author depicts dramatic irony to illustrate that certain positive experiences may be short-lived.

Hence, in Kate Chopin's The Story of An Hour, the appearance of Mrs. Mallard's husband at the end shatters her hopes and she suffers a fatal heart attack. It is ironic that the doctors attribute her death to "heart disease - of joy that kills" (from the concluding paragraph), considering the fact that she had hoped to finally live life without her husband. Throughout the story, Chopin portrays man's domination over women as a "powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose..." (from one of the paragraphs).

In a similar way to The Awakening, the author depicts a male-dominated society in which women are subordinated to and submit to their partners. Kate Chopin's The Storm, another great work of literature, is equally captivating. The title is a metaphor for the constrictive society of the 1800s.

In The Storm, Chopin uses the metaphor of a storm to convey that time continues on and new beginnings emerge, while societal issues, especially women's rights, still need to be confronted. Calixta, the main female character, embodies

the stereotype of women as homemakers. Her susceptibility to temptation during her husband's absence could indicate a hidden desire among women for personal fulfillment. The Storm is not just a story about adultery or sexual misconduct, but also a narrative about a woman coming to terms with her own identity. Chopin effectively employs imagery and figures of speech to emphasize the central message, as she does in her other literary works.

In paragraph 18 of "Storm", the use of personification is evident as it describes how the lightning is continuously playing and a bolt that strikes invades the boards with a blinding glare and deafening crash. Moreover, Chopin used similes in paragraph 23, where she describes Calixta's flesh as a creamy lily that the sun invites to contribute its breath and perfume to the undying life of the world. Additionally, the room where Calixta and an old admirer have sex is compared to a dim and mysterious chamber.

By repeatedly referring to the "dim and mysterious room," suspense is added and a contrast is created between the darkness of the room and the brightness and joy that later fills the family home when Calixta is reunited with her family. Kate Chopin's literary devices transport readers to a simpler yet restrictive time, especially for women who sought equality in both the home and society. Overall, Chopin's stories provide catharsis for women on the verge of leaving marriage as an institution. Even today, women strive to nurture themselves and seek support from home and society to achieve wholeness. This is the message that Chopin conveys.