A.R. A respectable woman Study Outline

Kate Chopin (female author)

-if a man could have naughty thoughts and still be considered respectable, so should a woman

-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

-southern plantation, New Orleans

reputation: despite her undeniable attraction to Gouvernail, Mrs.

Baroda doesn't want to taint her rep. so she hides her feelings

Mrs.Baroda vs. Self-she tries to deny her feelings for GouvernailMrs.Baroda vs.

Society-Society's views on "reputable women" is stopping Mrs.Baroda from pursuing her "taboo" thoughts

-females are to remain faithful to their partner physically and mentally

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 leavesResolution: she informs her husband to invite gouvernail again next year and she will be "very nice to him"

-we know as an audience that Mrs.Baroda initially opposed Gouvernail's return because she had feelings.

But, her husband does not know that.

"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

-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?