A.R. A respectable woman Study Outline
verbal irony
"this time i shall be very nice to him" -husband thinks she means she will be a good host but she actually means that she will be a lover
Characters
-Mrs.Baroda: happily married to Gaston Baroda but disturbed by the arrival of Gouvernail who she is physically attracted to -Gaston Baroda: friend of Gouvernail and husband of Mrs.Baroda. Doesn't understand Mrs.Baroda's distaste for Gouv. -Gouvernail: quiet friend of Gaston who visits the Baroda plantation and becames an object of intrest for Mrs.Baroda
Relate to American realism
-character driven: Mrs Baroda starts by disliking Gouvernail but then forms an attraction -social critique: why can men have naughty thoughts but women can not?
Norms/customs/practices
-females are to remain faithful to their partner physically and mentally
topic of discussion
-if a man could have naughty thoughts and still be considered respectable, so should a woman
Setting
-southern plantation, New Orleans
dramatic irony
-we know as an audience that Mrs.Baroda initially opposed Gouvernail's return because she had feelings. But, her husband does not know that.
Who is the author?
Kate Chopin (female author)
conflict
Mrs.Baroda vs. Self -she tries to deny her feelings for Gouvernail Mrs.Baroda vs.Society -Society's views on "reputable women" is stopping Mrs.Baroda from pursuing her "taboo" thoughts
Plot
exposition: Mrs.Baroda dreads the idea of Gouvrnail visiting Rising action: She realizes Gouvernail is not like other guys and is different. She warms up to the idea of him around climax: While sitting outside next to Gouvernail,Mrs.Baroda fights the urge to kiss him because she considers herself a "respectable woman" Falling action: She departs for her aunt's home and doesn't return till Gouvernail leaves Resolution: she informs her husband to invite gouvernail again next year and she will be "very nice to him"
themes
reputation: despite her undeniable attraction to Gouvernail, Mrs.Baroda doesn't want to taint her rep. so she hides her feelings