A Respectable Woman
'A Respectable Woman' by Kate Chopin, an American novelist and short story writer is a short story about Mrs. Baroda characterized as a respectable woman. Kate Chopin is also recognized as a feminist writer who addresses the topics of sexual frankness, perception, identity, desire, oppression, restraint, resistance, and psychological complexity in her work. This story follows the pattern of classical fiction and moves from exposition to rising action and then climax to resolution. The story's plot revolves around Mrs. Baroda and her inner conflict with her attraction toward her husband's friend, Gouvernail.
In the beginning, Mrs. Baroda was unhappy to know that her husband expected his friend, Gouvernail to spend a week or two on the plantation. She wanted to spend some quality time with her husband after working for such a long period in the field. Moreover, Gouvernail was a complete stranger to her. She had unconsciously formed an image of him in her mind as tall, slim, and cynical with hands in his pockets and eyeglasses. But in reality, he was completely different from what she had expected him to be like. He was kind of introverted and silent. She attempted to communicate with him immediately, turning him become an extrovert for a short time. She felt a stronger closeness with Gouvernail than she did with her husband, which fueled further discussion over whether she should remain close to Gouvernail or break ties with him.
Gouvernail made no further effort to win Mrs. Baroda over in any other manner, which left her wondering why she loved him. She was perplexed as to why she liked Gouvernail because she did not identify all of his wonderful qualities. She wanted to welcome him and her husband's hospitality, and although he didn't look intelligent, he appeared calm and kind in return. He sat on the field and loved hearing Gaston describe the workings of the sugar farm. Although he didn't appear extremely intellectual, he did come off as calm and kind. Mrs. Baroda saw that Gouvernail was a little confused, but she also found him to be intriguing, attractive, and alluring. She discovered her husband Gaston to be far better than what she had heard, despite his reserved nature.
Mrs. Baroda was disturbed by Gouvernail's arrival since he was not the person she expected. She had inquired about the time he would be leaving her spouse. After assuring her that he would be remaining for another week, he questioned her why she did not want him to stay. She told him that he had always lived away from others, which made him special. He didn't pique her curiosity, either. He was taken aback by what she had said. He told her not to be concerned about Gouvernail and to be silent about him. He had requested Gouvernail to take a vacation from his frantic, overworked schedule. After speaking with her husband, she informed him that she would be traveling to the city the next morning and staying with her Aunt Octavia. She also requested him to inform her when Gouvernail had departed. Mrs. Baroda's intentions and thoughts concerned her, so that evening she went and sat by herself on a bench under a live oak tree to meditate. After some while, she heard footsteps and saw an approaching glowing red cigar tip. Although she tried to fit in despite being aware that it was Gouvernail, her white robe made her stand out. He came over and sat down next to her on the bench.
While mumbling about the evening, Gouvernail presented her with a small white scarf on Gaston's behalf. His first silence was broken when he finally spoke to her, telling her in a tremulous, low voice about his college days and his wish for a peaceful existence. She became less interested in what he said. She felt particularly captivated by the way he spoke, and she yearned to reach out into the darkness and caress his face or lips with the tips of her delicate fingers. She was tempted to speak to him and give him a kiss, but she restrained herself since she thought herself to be a respectable woman. Eventually, she went, leaving Gouvernail alone himself. While Mrs. Baroda was hesitant to approach him since she was a respectable woman, she was more entranced by the sound of Gouvernail's voice than by his words. Mrs. Baroda longed to share this strange error with Gaston, but she maturely and shrewdly realized that she had to deal with this emotion on her own. She left for the city the next morning and didn't come back till Gouvernail had left the city. Gouvernail refused to come back despite Gaston's best efforts because of Mrs. Baroda's persistent opposition; however, she eventually changed her mind, much to Gaston's delight, who informed that Gouvernail did not deserve her unreasonable dislike in the first place, she told her husband, adding that she would now treat him with greater hospitality.
Mrs. Baroda represents every woman who struggles between the prescribed roles of women and their own desire. This story also withholds the themes of self-control, loyalty, and staying true to oneself.