plot
What was the main character’s name?
Mrs. Baroda
Who is the author?
Kate Chopin or Katherine O’Flaerhty
What is the POV of the short story?
3rd person limited
What are some common themes in the short story?
temptation, desire, freedom, identity
How was Gouvernail’s appearance different from Gaston’s description and Mrs. Baroda’s imagination
not as tall or as talkative, and he didn’t wear any eyeglasses like she had imagined
Who was the character’s love interest?
Gouvernail
What time period did the author write about?
late 1800s
Does the narrator have narrative distance?
little to no narrative distance
What decisions did Mrs. Baroda make that related to the theme of the short story?
visiting her aunt’s house while Gouvernail is there, trying to get over her confusion about her attraction to Gouvernail by accompanying him on walks
What do we find out about Mrs. Baroda through her emotions and feelings throughout the short story?
She is a romantic and emotionally intelligent person. She knows that she can’t do certain things because she is a woman in the 1800s and has a lot of restrictions on her, so she thinks and feels many things without expressing all of her thoughts
How did Mrs. Baroda try to get rid of her feelings toward Gouvernail?
By going to the city to her aunt's house and distancing herself from her husband and Gouvernail.
What did the author primarily write about?
Daring women’s lives, feelings, and emotions in the 1800s and how they explored themselves as individuals instead of conforming to the restrictions set by society for women.
Did the narrative distance create bias in how the story was told?
Yes
How is the time period that Kate Chopin lived in reflected in the theme of the short story?
Since they were both women in the 1800s, Mrs. Baroda was never given a first name in this short story because she belonged to Gaston. She also was very curious as to why she was confused about her feelings for Gouvernail and explored them. When she found out about them, she was ashamed of herself for wanting to cheat on her husband like that, but she took the time to get comfortable with herself and her identity because she started focusing on herself rather than her image as a respectable woman towards the end of the short story.
How does Mrs. Baroda’s role in society influence her decisions about getting with Gouvernail?
Because she is a married woman, she can’t divorce her husband or have an affair with Gouvernail because she will lose the respect that she earned by succumbing to her temptations
What was Mrs. Baroda’s First impression of Gouvernail?
He wasn't as impressive as Gaston had described him, but Mrs. Baroda still felt attracted to Gouvernail and did not know why.
Who was the spouse of the author and where did they move?
Oscar Chopin; New Orleans
Why did or didn’t the narrative distance create bias?
It created bias because it only focused in on Mrs. Baroda’s feelings and emotions, and even when it was told in 3rd person, her feelings were transferred over to the description of what she viewed as well
How does Gouvernail contribute to the development of the theme?
His presence leads to Mrs. Baroda being able to recognize her feelings for him, consider her position in society before falling into her temptations, and helps her feel more comfortable in her skin when she overcomes her feelings for Gouvernail
Who is Gouvernail married to?
No one
Why did Gaston invite Gouvernail to spend time with his family on his plantation in New Orleans?
Gouvernail was overworked and he could take some rest at the plantation.
Where was the author born and where did they die?
St. Louis
What was left out because of this point of view?
Gaston and Gouvernail’s emotions in detail.
How does Gaston contribute to the development of the theme?
He keeps pushing Mrs. Baroda to be with Gouvernail, which is increasing her temptation to love Gouvernail. It also allows the reader to wonder if Gaston's enthusiasm for Gouvernail is Gaston's attempt at exploring his sexuality as a man in the 1800s, since homosexuality during that time was not encouraged by society, which relates to the theme of identity.
How did Mrs. Baroda characterize Gouvernail?
mysterious, quiet and more philosophical than Gaston