The short story "A Respectable Woman" by Kate Chopin takes place on a sugar plantation in Louisiana during the late nineteenth century. The main character is Mrs. Baroda, a woman who takes great pride in her social standing and her reputation as a "respectable" wife. The central conflict begins when her husband, Gaston, informs her that his college friend, Gouvernail, will be visiting them for a week or two. Mrs. Baroda is initially unhappy with this news because she and Gaston had recently spent a very busy winter entertaining guests in New Orleans, and she was looking forward to a quiet, private time alone with her husband.
Image 1: A Quiet Life Interrupted
Before Gouvernail arrives, Mrs. Baroda forms a mental image of him based on her husband's descriptions. She expects him to be a tall, slim, and cynical man who wears eyeglasses and keeps his hands in his pockets. Because she expects him to be a demanding "man of ideas," she decides in advance that she will not like him. However, when Gouvernail actually arrives, he is quite different. He is slim, but not very tall or cynical, and he does not wear glasses. Mrs. Baroda finds that she actually likes him, though she cannot explain why, especially since he lacks the brilliant and social traits Gaston had promised.
Image 2: Expectation vs Reality
While at the plantation, Gouvernail is mute and receptive, meaning he prefers to sit quietly, smoke his cigars, and listen to Gaston talk about sugar planting. He is perfectly courteous, but he makes no effort to impress Mrs. Baroda or seek her approval. This puzzles and irritates her. She tries to "penetrate his reserve" by forcing her company upon him during long walks, but he remains quiet. Frustrated, she tells Gaston that his friend "tires her frightfully" and lacks ideas. Gaston disagrees, explaining that Gouvernail is simply run down by overwork and is a man of many ideas when he chooses to speak.
The story reaches its climax one night when Mrs. Baroda sits alone on a bench, feeling confused and overwhelmed. She has already decided to leave for the city the next morning to stay with her aunt until Gouvernail is gone. Gouvernail finds her there and hands her a filmy white scarf that Gaston sent to her. In the darkness, Gouvernail finally opens up and talks freely and intimately about his life, his college days, and his desire to simply exist and enjoy the moment. Mrs. Baroda does not really listen to his words; instead, she is captivated by the tone of his voice and his physical presence.
As they sit together, Mrs. Baroda feels a powerful physical impulse to reach out and touch his face or lips, or to draw close and whisper to him. However, she restrains herself because she is a "respectable woman". She realizes that this is a battle she must fight alone, and she quickly leaves him and returns to the house. She decides not to tell her husband about this "folly" and leaves for New Orleans by the early morning train. She stays away until Gouvernail has finished his visit and left the plantation.
Image 4: Respectability vs Desire
The resolution of the story occurs later in the year when Mrs. Baroda surprisingly proposes that Gouvernail visit them again. Gaston is delighted and surprised, believing that his wife has finally overcome her "dislike" for his friend. Mrs. Baroda tells her husband, "I have overcome everything! You will see. This time I shall be very nice to him". The story's central message explores the tension between social respectability and hidden human desires. It shows that even a "respectable" person can face internal struggles that challenge their self-image and the strict rules of their society.
Image 5: Resolution and Reflection
Examination Quiz: A Respectable Woman
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