About Author
Kate Chopin (1850-1904) was an American author of short stories and novels based in Louisiana. She is considered one of the leading feminist writers of the 20th-century. She explored themes such as marriage, sexuality, identity, and freedom in her works. Some of her famous works include The Awakening, The Story of an Hour, and Desiree’s Baby.
About Story
“A Respectable Woman” is a short story by Kate Chopin that was written in 1894 and published in Vogue magazine that year. It was later reprinted in her 1897 collection A Night in Acadie. The story is about a married woman named Mrs. Baroda who feels a strange attraction to her husband’s friend Gouvernail, who comes to stay with them on their plantation. She struggles with her feelings and tries to maintain her reputation as a respectable woman.
Setting
The story is set on a sugar plantation in Louisiana in the late 19th century. The plantation is owned by Mrs. Baroda and her husband Gaston, who are wealthy and hospitable. The story depicts the social norms and expectations of the time, especially for women.
Language
The story is written in third-person limited point of view, focusing on Mrs. Baroda’s thoughts and feelings. The language is simple and clear, but also rich in imagery and symbolism. For example, the white scarf that Gouvernail gives to Mrs. Baroda represents her purity and innocence, while the night and the moon symbolize her hidden desires and emotions.
Characters
The main characters are:
Mrs. Baroda: She is a married woman who is bored with her life and restless for something new. She is initially annoyed by Gouvernail’s visit, but soon finds herself drawn to him. She is conflicted between her duty as a wife and her attraction to another man. She is also curious and adventurous, but afraid of losing her respectability.
Gouvernail: He is an old friend of Gaston who works as a journalist. He is quiet and reserved, but also intelligent and witty. He has a philosophical outlook on life and enjoys quoting poetry. He seems to be aware of Mrs. Baroda’s feelings for him, but does not act on them or encourage them.
Gaston: He is Mrs. Baroda’s husband who loves her dearly and trusts her completely. He is friendly and generous, but also naive and oblivious to the tension between his wife and his friend. He invites Gouvernail to stay with them again, unaware of his wife’s reluctance.
Short Summary
“A Respectable Woman” is a short story by Kate Chopin that explores the themes of female identity, desire, and respectability. The story focuses on Mrs. Baroda, a married woman who feels a strange attraction to her husband’s friend Gouvernail, who comes to stay with them on their plantation. She tries to resist her feelings and maintain her reputation as a respectable woman, but she is also curious and restless for something new. She has a moment of temptation with Gouvernail one night, but she pulls away and decides to leave the plantation until he is gone. She does not tell her husband about her feelings, but later changes her mind and agrees to invite Gouvernail again, suggesting that she has accepted her desires and is willing to take a risk.
नेपालीमा सारांश (Summary in Nepali)
केट चोपिनद्वारा लिखित यस "ए रिस्पेक्टेबल वुमन" कथाले नारी अस्तित्व, पहिचान, इच्छा र सम्मानका विषयवस्तुहरू खोज्छ। कथा श्रीमती बरोदामा केन्द्रित छ । उनी एक विवाहित महिला हुन् जो आफ्नो पति गेस्टनसँग लुइसियानाको उखु बगानमा बस्छिन्। गेस्टनले आफ्नो पुरानो साथी गभर्नेललाई एक/दुई हप्ताको लागि उनीहरूसँग बस्न आमन्त्रित गर्दा भने उनी रिसाउँछिन्, किनकि उनी आफ्नो पतिसँग केही समय एक्लै बिताउन खोजिरहेकी हुन्छिन् । उनले गभर्नेललाई यसअघि कहिल्यै भेटेकी हुन्नन्, तर उनले उसलाई अग्लो, पातलो, ख्याउटे, उदास अनि चस्मा लगाउने र खल्तीमा हात राखेर हिड्ने मानिसको रुपमा कल्पना गर्छिन् । उनलाई लाग्दैन कि उनलाई गभर्नेल मन पर्छ ।
यद्यपि, जब गभर्नेल आइपुग्छ, ऊ उनले साेचे भन्दा फरक हुन्छ। ऊ पातलो त छ तर धेरै अग्लो छैन, उसले चश्मा पनि लगाएको छैन अनि आफ्नो हात पनि खल्तीमा राखेर हिड्दैन साथै ऊ धेरै उदास पनि छैन। ऊ त शान्त र हँसिलो छ अनि विनम्र र चनाखो पनि । श्रीमती बरोदाले उसलाई मन पराउँन थाल्छिन् तर किन मन पराउन थालेकी हुन् भन्ने कुरा उनलाई पत्तो हुँदैन । तर पनि अझै उनले गभर्नेलमा गेस्टनले प्रशंसा गरेको जस्तो कुनै पनि उत्कृष्ट र आशाजनक विशेषताहरू भने देख्दिनन् । त्यसैले उनी अन्योल र बेचैनी महसुस गर्छिन्।
उनी सम्भव भएसम्म गभर्नेललाई वेवास्ता गर्ने र आफ्नो पतिसँग बढी समय बिताउने निर्णय गर्छिन्। उनी घोडा चढ्ने वा पियानो बजाउने जस्ता अन्य गतिविधिहरू गरेर मनलाई गभर्नेलबाट टाढा राख्ने काेशिस गर्छिन् तर गभर्नेल प्रतिको उनको प्रेमभावबाट उनी टाढा जान सक्दिनन् । गभर्नेल पनि सधैँ उनकै वरीपरी रहिरहन रुचाउँछ । उनले उसका इशारा अनि अनि मायालु व्यवहार, उसको मिठो बाेली अनि शान्त मुद्रालाई विचार गर्छिन् । उनको मनमा गभर्नेलले चै उनको बारेमा कस्तो सोच्छ होला भनी जान्ने इच्छा उत्पन्न हुन्छ ।
एक रातको कुरा हाे, गेस्टनले गभर्नेललाई बाहिर बगैँचामा बसिरहेकी श्रीमती बराेदाको लागी सेतो स्कार्फ लगिदिन आग्रह गर्छ । माैसम निकै चिसो हुन्छ । बरोदाले गभर्नेलबाट उक्त मफलर त लिन्छिन् तर लगाइहाल्दिनन् । गभर्नेल उनी बसेको बेन्चमा सँगै बस्छ अनि कविता सुनाउन थाल्छ तब उनलाई अचानक न्यानोपन र आकर्षणको आभाष हुन्छ । उसले उनलाई गेस्टनसँगको कलेजका दिनहरु अनि जीवनको बारेमा आफ्ना दार्शनिक विचारहरुको बारेमा उनलाई बताउँछ । श्रीमती बरोदालाई अनायासै उसको मुहारमा छुन अनि कानमा केही फुसफुसाउन मन लागेर आउँछ, तर उनी तत्काल सम्झन्छिन् कि उनी एक सम्मानित महिला र इमान्दार पत्नी हुन्। उनी सकेसम्म चाँडाे उसलाई त्यो बेन्चमा एक्लै छाडेर ऊ बाट टाढा जान्छिन् ।
भोलिपल्ट बिहान, गेस्टनले उठेर हेर्दा श्रीमती बरोदा शहर गईसकेको पाउँछ । उनी गभर्नेलले उक्त बगान छाडेर नफर्किएसम्म फर्किन्नन् । उनले आफ्नो पति गेस्टनलाई समेत गभर्नेल प्रतिको उनको भावनाको बारेमा बताउन उचित साेचिनन् किनकी त्यो सब एक सम्मानजनक महिलाको लागि अनुचित कुरा हो ।
गेस्टनले अर्को गर्मीमा गभर्नेललाई फेरि बोलाउने सल्लाह गर्छ, तर सुरुमा श्रीमती बरोदाले कडा आपत्ति जनाउँछिन् । यद्यपि, वर्षको अन्त्य तिर भने उनले आफ्नो मन परिवर्तन गर्छिन् र गभर्नेललाई फेरी बाेलाउन भन्छिन् । उनको यो निर्णयले उनी स्वयं आफैंलाई र उनको पतिलाई पनि आश्चर्यचकित गर्छिन् । उनी आफ्ना इच्छा अनुसारको परिणामको सामना गर्न तयार छिन् ।
कथा एउटा अस्पष्ट मोडमा आएर टुंगिन्छ । कथाकारले अब गभर्नेल फर्किएपछि के होला ? अनि श्रीमती बरोदाले ऊ प्रतिको उनको प्रेमभावलाई लिएर कस्तो कदम उठाउलिन् ? भनेर सोच्ने जिम्मा पाठकलाई नै छाडिदिएकी छिन् ।
Longer Plot Summary
“A Respectable Woman” is a short story by Kate Chopin that explores the themes of female identity, desire, and respectability. The story focuses on Mrs. Baroda, a married woman who lives on a sugar plantation in Louisiana with her husband Gaston. She is annoyed when Gaston invites his old friend Gouvernail to stay with them for a week or two, as she was looking forward to some time alone with her husband. She has never met Gouvernail before, but she imagines him as a tall, slim, cynical man with glasses and hands in his pockets. She does not think she will like him.
However, when Gouvernail arrives, he turns out to be different from her expectations. He is slim but not very tall, he does not wear glasses or carry his hands in his pockets, and he is not very cynical. He is quiet and reserved, but also courteous and attentive. Mrs. Baroda finds herself liking him, but she does not understand why. She does not see any of the brilliant and promising traits that Gaston had praised in him. She feels confused and restless.
She decides to avoid Gouvernail as much as possible and spend more time with her husband. She also tries to distract herself with other activities, such as riding her horse or playing the piano. But she cannot escape her feelings for Gouvernail, who seems to be always around her. She notices his subtle gestures and expressions, his gentle voice and calm demeanor. She wonders what he thinks of her and what he wants from her.
One night, Gaston sends Gouvernail out to join Mrs. Baroda on a bench in the garden. He gives him a white scarf to wrap around her neck, as it is chilly outside. Mrs. Baroda takes the scarf from Gouvernail but does not put it on. She feels a sudden warmth and attraction towards him as he sits next to her and quotes poetry to the night. He tells her about his college days with Gaston and his philosophical views on life. Mrs. Baroda wants to touch his face and whisper in his ear, but she remembers that she is a respectable woman and a faithful wife. She moves away from him and leaves him alone on the bench as soon as she can.
The next morning, Gaston wakes up to find that Mrs. Baroda has left the house early to go to the city. She does not return until Gouvernail has left the plantation. She does not tell Gaston about her feelings for Gouvernail, as she thinks it would be improper for a respectable woman to do so. Gaston suggests that they invite Gouvernail again next summer, but Mrs. Baroda strongly objects at first. However, before the end of the year, she changes her mind and tells Gaston to invite him again. She surprises herself and her husband with this decision, implying that she has come to terms with her desires and is ready to face the consequences.
The story ends with an ambiguous note, leaving the reader to wonder what will happen when Gouvernail returns and how Mrs. Baroda will deal with her feelings for him.
However, when Gouvernail arrives, he turns out to be different from her expectations. He is slim but not very tall, he does not wear glasses or carry his hands in his pockets, and he is not very cynical. He is quiet and reserved, but also courteous and attentive. Mrs. Baroda finds herself liking him, but she does not understand why. She does not see any of the brilliant and promising traits that Gaston had praised in him. She feels confused and restless.
She decides to avoid Gouvernail as much as possible and spend more time with her husband. She also tries to distract herself with other activities, such as riding her horse or playing the piano. But she cannot escape her feelings for Gouvernail, who seems to be always around her. She notices his subtle gestures and expressions, his gentle voice and calm demeanor. She wonders what he thinks of her and what he wants from her.
One night, Gaston sends Gouvernail out to join Mrs. Baroda on a bench in the garden. He gives him a white scarf to wrap around her neck, as it is chilly outside. Mrs. Baroda takes the scarf from Gouvernail but does not put it on. She feels a sudden warmth and attraction towards him as he sits next to her and quotes poetry to the night. He tells her about his college days with Gaston and his philosophical views on life. Mrs. Baroda wants to touch his face and whisper in his ear, but she remembers that she is a respectable woman and a faithful wife. She moves away from him and leaves him alone on the bench as soon as she can.
The next morning, Gaston wakes up to find that Mrs. Baroda has left the house early to go to the city. She does not return until Gouvernail has left the plantation. She does not tell Gaston about her feelings for Gouvernail, as she thinks it would be improper for a respectable woman to do so. Gaston suggests that they invite Gouvernail again next summer, but Mrs. Baroda strongly objects at first. However, before the end of the year, she changes her mind and tells Gaston to invite him again. She surprises herself and her husband with this decision, implying that she has come to terms with her desires and is ready to face the consequences.
The story ends with an ambiguous note, leaving the reader to wonder what will happen when Gouvernail returns and how Mrs. Baroda will deal with her feelings for him.
Major Themes
Some of the major themes of the story are:
The Search for Female Identity: The story explores Mrs. Baroda’s struggle to understand her preexisting identity as a respectable woman and a faithful wife in conjunction with a newly emerging, alternative one as a curious and restless woman who feels a strong attraction to another man. She questions her feelings, her desires, and her role in society, and tries to find a balance between them.
Devotion Versus Desire: The story also examines the conflict between Mrs. Baroda’s devotion to her husband and her desire for Gouvernail. She loves her husband and respects him, but she also feels bored and dissatisfied with her life. She is drawn to Gouvernail’s mysterious and unconventional personality, but she also fears losing her reputation and her marriage. She has to choose between following her heart or following her duty.
The Allure of the Unknown: The story also shows how Mrs. Baroda is fascinated by the unknown aspects of Gouvernail’s character and life. She does not know much about him, but she imagines him as a brilliant and adventurous man who has seen and done many things. She wants to know more about him and his views on life, but he does not reveal much. He remains elusive and enigmatic, which makes him more attractive to her.
Moral of the Story
The moral of the story is not clear-cut, as the story has an ambiguous ending that leaves the reader to wonder what will happen next. However, one possible moral of the story is that one should not suppress one’s true feelings and desires, but rather embrace them and face the consequences. Mrs. Baroda seems to do this when she changes her mind and agrees to invite Gouvernail again, suggesting that she has accepted her attraction to him and is willing to take a risk. Another possible moral of the story is that one should be careful of what one wishes for, as it may not be what one expects or needs. Mrs. Baroda may regret her decision later, as it may jeopardize her marriage and her respectability.
Symbols Used in the Story
Some of the symbols used in the story are:
The White Scarf: The white scarf that Gouvernail brings to Mrs. Baroda at the request of her husband is a physical reminder of her marriage and her role within it. As an item that she typically wears over her head and shoulders, it visually recalls a bridal veil, making it a symbol for her status as a wife within this story. The fact that this scarf is delivered by Gouvernail, amid Mrs. Baroda’s attempt to sort through her thoughts and feelings, advances the theme of Devotion Versus Desire. This is further highlighted by Mrs. Baroda’s response to the white scarf. Instead of automatically putting it on, as might be expected, Mrs. Baroda “let it lie in her lap” (Paragraph 20). This ambiguous action reflects that she has not yet made up her mind regarding the two men and her relationship to them. It also foreshadows the story’s ambiguous ending.
Gouvernail’s Name: “Gouvernail” is a French name that translates to “rudder,” the device used for steering a boat. There is much speculation about this name and what it might symbolize in terms of this character’s impact in the story. While Gouvernail does nothing consciously or directly to steer Mrs. Baroda’s actions or emotions, he does have an influence on them by his mere presence and personality. He represents a different direction for Mrs. Baroda’s life, one that is more adventurous and unconventional than her current one.
The Night and the Moon: The night and the moon are symbols of Mrs. Baroda’s hidden desires and emotions that emerge when she is alone with Gouvernail on the bench in the garden. The night provides a cover of darkness that allows Mrs. Baroda to feel more free and daring than during the day. The moon reflects her inner turmoil and confusion, as it changes its shape and brightness throughout the night.
Exercise
Understanding the Text
Answer the following questions.
a. Why was Mrs. Baroda unhappy with the information about Gouvernail’s visit to their farm?
Mrs. Baroda was unhappy with the information about Gouvernail’s visit to their farm because she had been looking forward to some time alone with her husband after entertaining many guests during the winter. She also had a negative preconception of Gouvernail based on her husband’s description of him and did not think she would like him.
Gouvernail was different from Mrs. Baroda’s expectation in several ways. He was not tall, slim, cynical, or wearing glasses and carrying his hands in his pockets as she had imagined. He was quiet and reserved, but also courteous and attentive. He did not make any appeal to her approval or esteem, but he also did not annoy or bore her. He had varying moods and interests, and he quoted poetry and philosophy to her.
c. How does Mrs. Baroda compare Gouvernail with her husband?
c. How does Mrs. Baroda compare Gouvernail with her husband?
Mrs. Baroda compares Gouvernail with her husband in terms of their personalities and traits. She notices that Gouvernail does not have any of the brilliant and promising qualities that her husband had praised in him, such as being a journalist and a man of the world. She also sees that Gouvernail is more mysterious and unconventional than her husband, who is frank and wordy. She wonders why her husband likes Gouvernail so much and why she likes him too.
d. Why and how did Mrs. Baroda try to change Gouvernail’s solitary habits?
d. Why and how did Mrs. Baroda try to change Gouvernail’s solitary habits?
Mrs. Baroda tried to change Gouvernail’s solitary habits because she was piqued by his reserve and wanted to penetrate it. She also felt restless and confused by her feelings for him and wanted to distract herself from them. She tried to change his habits by imposing her society upon him, accompanying him in his idle strolls and walks, and engaging him in conversation.
e. How does Gaston disagree with his wife on Gouvernail’s character?
e. How does Gaston disagree with his wife on Gouvernail’s character?
Gaston disagrees with his wife on Gouvernail’s character by having a more positive and admiring view of him than she does. He thinks that Gouvernail is a brilliant and promising man who has seen and done many things in the world. He also thinks that Gouvernail is a good friend who enjoys their hospitality and company. He does not notice or understand his wife’s attraction or confusion towards Gouvernail.
f. Why is Gaston surprised with his wife’s expression towards the end of the story?
f. Why is Gaston surprised with his wife’s expression towards the end of the story?
Gaston is surprised with his wife’s expression towards the end of the story because she changes her mind and agrees to invite Gouvernail again next summer, after strongly opposing such a suggestion earlier. He does not know the reason behind her change of mind or her expression, which implies that she has accepted her feelings for Gouvernail and is ready to face the consequences.
b. Sketch the character of Gouvernail and contrast it with Gaston.
Reference with the Text
a. What is the cause of conflict in Mrs. Baroda’s mind? What role does Mrs. Baroda ‘being a respectable woman’ play in the story?
The cause of conflict in Mrs. Baroda’s mind is her unexpected and inexplicable attraction to Gouvernail, her husband’s friend who comes to stay with them on their plantation. She feels confused and restless by her feelings, which contradict her identity and duty as a respectable woman and a faithful wife. She tries to resist and suppress her feelings, but she also feels curious and tempted by them. She does not want to lose her reputation or her marriage, but she also does not want to deny her true self. Mrs. Baroda’s being a respectable woman plays a significant role in the story, as it shapes her actions and decisions throughout the story. It prevents her from acting on her attraction to Gouvernail, from telling her husband about it, and from inviting Gouvernail again at first. It also creates a contrast between her outward appearance and her inner turmoil, as well as between her conventional life and Gouvernail’s unconventional one.
b. Sketch the character of Gouvernail and contrast it with Gaston.
Gouvernail is a quiet and reserved man who works as a journalist and has a philosophical outlook on life. He is an old friend of Gaston who comes to stay with him and his wife on their plantation. He is courteous and attentive, but also elusive and enigmatic. He does not make any direct appeal to Mrs. Baroda’s approval or esteem, but he also does not annoy or bore her. He quotes poetry and philosophy to her, and seems to be aware of her feelings for him, but he does not act on them or encourage them. He represents a different direction for Mrs. Baroda’s life, one that is more adventurous and unconventional than her current one.
Gaston is a friendly and generous man who owns a sugar plantation in Louisiana and loves his wife dearly. He is frank and wordy, but also naive and oblivious to the tension between his wife and his friend. He praises Gouvernail’s brilliant and promising traits, but he does not see his subtle gestures and expressions. He invites Gouvernail to stay with them again, unaware of his wife’s reluctance. He represents Mrs. Baroda’s existing life, one that is comfortable and respectable, but also boring and dissatisfying.
c. Why does Mrs. Baroda not disclose her feelings towards Gouvernail to her husband?
c. Why does Mrs. Baroda not disclose her feelings towards Gouvernail to her husband?
Mrs. Baroda does not disclose her feelings towards Gouvernail to her husband because she thinks it would be improper for a respectable woman to do so. She also fears that her husband would not understand or accept her feelings, or that he would be hurt or angry by them. She does not want to jeopardize her marriage or her reputation by revealing her attraction to another man.
d. The last three sentences of the story bring a kind of twist. After reading these three sentences, how do you analyze Mrs. Baroda’s attitude towards Gouvernail?
a. The entry of an outsider into a family has been a recurring subject in both literature and films. Narrate a story real or imaginative where an outsider’s arrival destroys the intimate relationship between the husband and the wife and causes break up in marital relationship without direct fault of anyone. Anton’s Chekhov’s story ‘About Love’ is a story on this subject.
I am a mature girl/boy who is facing pressure from my family members to get married. They have been trying to arrange matches for me with various men/women, but none of them have appealed to me so far. I have my own expectations and preferences about my future husband/wife, and I do not want to compromise on them. Here are some of the qualities that I would like to get in my future husband/wife:
The last three sentences of the story are:
- "She did not mind the entreaty written in his eyes.
- "Why should she? He had been nothing more than an agreeable companion for that time.
- “And might be again–under changed circumstances.”
These sentences bring a kind of twist because they show that Mrs. Baroda has changed her mind and agreed to invite Gouvernail again next summer, after strongly opposing such a suggestion earlier. They also imply that she has accepted her feelings for Gouvernail and is willing to face the consequences of them.
After reading these sentences, one can analyze Mrs. Baroda’s attitude towards Gouvernail as follows:
- She does not mind his entreaty written in his eyes: This suggests that she is no longer confused or conflicted by his silent appeal to her emotions, but rather embraces them and responds to them positively. She does not reject or avoid him, but rather looks at him with interest and curiosity.
- He had been nothing more than an agreeable companion for that time: This suggests that she is trying to rationalize or justify her decision by downplaying the significance of their relationship, or by pretending that it was nothing more than friendship. She may also be trying to reassure herself or her husband that there is nothing wrong or improper about inviting him again.
- And might be again–under changed circumstances: This suggests that she is hopeful or curious about what might happen when they meet again next summer, under different conditions that might allow them to express their feelings more openly or freely. She may also be hinting at a possible change in her marital status or her idea of respectability.
Therefore, one can conclude that Mrs. Baroda’s attitude towards Gouvernail is complex and ambiguous, as she balances between denial and acceptance, duty and desire, and respectability and risk. She does not make a clear choice between her husband and Gouvernail, but rather leaves the possibility open for both. She does not fully reveal her feelings or intentions, but rather keeps them hidden or vague. She does not resolve her conflict, but rather postpones it for another time.
Beyond the Subject
The Stranger
Alice and John had been married for ten years and had a six-year-old daughter named Lily. They lived in a small town where John worked as a doctor and Alice as a teacher. They had a comfortable and happy life, with a nice house, a car, and a dog. They loved each other and their daughter, and they rarely argued or fought.
One day, a stranger knocked on their door. He was a young man with blond hair and blue eyes, wearing a backpack and a leather jacket. He said his name was Tom and that he was traveling across the country on his motorcycle. He said he had run out of gas and money, and that he needed a place to stay for the night. He said he would pay them back as soon as he could. Alice and John were kind and generous people, and they felt sorry for the stranger. They invited him in and offered him some food and water. They let him use their phone to call his family and friends. They gave him a spare room to sleep in. They treated him like a guest and a friend.
The next day, Tom thanked them for their hospitality and said he would leave as soon as he found some gas and money. He asked them if they knew anyone who could help him out. Alice said she had a cousin who owned a gas station nearby, and that she would call him and ask him to give Tom some gas for free. John said he had some cash in his wallet, and that he would lend Tom some money until he got back on his feet. Alice and John were happy to help Tom, but they also felt uneasy about him. They noticed that he was very friendly and charming, but also secretive and mysterious. He did not tell them much about himself or his family or his friends. He did not show them any ID or any proof of his identity. He did not seem to have any plans or goals for his life. They also noticed that he paid a lot of attention to Alice. He complimented her on her looks and her cooking. He asked her about her work and her hobbies. He smiled at her and touched her arm whenever he got the chance. He made her laugh with his jokes and stories.
Alice felt flattered and amused by Tom’s attention, but she also felt guilty and confused. She loved John and she did not want to hurt him or betray him. She did not have any feelings for Tom other than friendship. She did not want to encourage him or lead him on. But she could not help it. John also felt suspicious and jealous of Tom’s attention to Alice, but he also felt ashamed and angry with himself. He trusted Alice and he did not want to doubt her or accuse her. He did not have any reason to believe that she was cheating on him or lying to him. He did not want to be insecure or paranoid. But he could not help it either. That night, when Alice and John went to bed, they did not talk to each other or kiss each other or hold each other as they usually did. They lay on opposite sides of the bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling distant and cold.
The next morning, when they woke up, they found that Tom was gone. He had left a note on the kitchen table, saying that he had found some gas and money, and that he was leaving for another town. He thanked them for their kindness and generosity, and said that he would never forget them. He also said that he was sorry for any trouble he had caused them.
Alice and John looked at each other, feeling relieved but also sad. They realized that Tom had been more than a guest or a friend; he had been an intruder who had disrupted their life and their marriage. He had awakened feelings in them that they did not want to feel or face. He had created a rift between them that they did not know how to heal. They did not know what to say or do. They did not know if they still loved each other or not.
One day, a stranger knocked on their door. He was a young man with blond hair and blue eyes, wearing a backpack and a leather jacket. He said his name was Tom and that he was traveling across the country on his motorcycle. He said he had run out of gas and money, and that he needed a place to stay for the night. He said he would pay them back as soon as he could. Alice and John were kind and generous people, and they felt sorry for the stranger. They invited him in and offered him some food and water. They let him use their phone to call his family and friends. They gave him a spare room to sleep in. They treated him like a guest and a friend.
The next day, Tom thanked them for their hospitality and said he would leave as soon as he found some gas and money. He asked them if they knew anyone who could help him out. Alice said she had a cousin who owned a gas station nearby, and that she would call him and ask him to give Tom some gas for free. John said he had some cash in his wallet, and that he would lend Tom some money until he got back on his feet. Alice and John were happy to help Tom, but they also felt uneasy about him. They noticed that he was very friendly and charming, but also secretive and mysterious. He did not tell them much about himself or his family or his friends. He did not show them any ID or any proof of his identity. He did not seem to have any plans or goals for his life. They also noticed that he paid a lot of attention to Alice. He complimented her on her looks and her cooking. He asked her about her work and her hobbies. He smiled at her and touched her arm whenever he got the chance. He made her laugh with his jokes and stories.
Alice felt flattered and amused by Tom’s attention, but she also felt guilty and confused. She loved John and she did not want to hurt him or betray him. She did not have any feelings for Tom other than friendship. She did not want to encourage him or lead him on. But she could not help it. John also felt suspicious and jealous of Tom’s attention to Alice, but he also felt ashamed and angry with himself. He trusted Alice and he did not want to doubt her or accuse her. He did not have any reason to believe that she was cheating on him or lying to him. He did not want to be insecure or paranoid. But he could not help it either. That night, when Alice and John went to bed, they did not talk to each other or kiss each other or hold each other as they usually did. They lay on opposite sides of the bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling distant and cold.
The next morning, when they woke up, they found that Tom was gone. He had left a note on the kitchen table, saying that he had found some gas and money, and that he was leaving for another town. He thanked them for their kindness and generosity, and said that he would never forget them. He also said that he was sorry for any trouble he had caused them.
Alice and John looked at each other, feeling relieved but also sad. They realized that Tom had been more than a guest or a friend; he had been an intruder who had disrupted their life and their marriage. He had awakened feelings in them that they did not want to feel or face. He had created a rift between them that they did not know how to heal. They did not know what to say or do. They did not know if they still loved each other or not.
Comparison between the story and Anton Chekhov’s ‘About Love’:
Similarities:
- Both stories deal with the theme of love and its complexities and contradictions. They explore how love can arise unexpectedly and inexplicably between people who are very different from each other or who are already married to someone else.
- Both stories show how love can cause confusion, guilt, jealousy, and pain for the lovers and their spouses. They also show how love can be influenced by social norms, moral values, and personal circumstances.
- Both stories use a third-person limited point of view that follows the thoughts and feelings of one of the main characters. They also use dialogue and narration to reveal the characters’ personalities and relationships.
Differences:
- The story is set in a small town in the present day, while ‘About Love’ is set in a country house in late 19th century Russia.
- The story has a realistic tone and style, while ‘About Love’ has a more poetic and philosophical tone and style.
- The story focuses on the love triangle between Alice, John, and Tom, while ‘About Love’ focuses on the love story between Alyohin and Anna.
- The story has an ambiguous ending that leaves the fate of the marriage uncertain, while ‘About Love’ has a clear ending that shows the separation of the lovers.
- The story portrays Tom as an intruder who disrupts the marriage of Alice and John, while ‘About Love’ portrays Alyohin as a victim who sacrifices his love for Anna.
- The story suggests that Alice and John may still love each other despite their attraction to Tom, while ‘About Love’ suggests that Alyohin and Anna have a true and spiritual love that transcends their marriages.
b. Mrs. Baroda makes an expectation about Gouvernail even before meeting him. Suppose you are a mature girl/boy and your family members are giving you pressure for getting married. Write in about 200 words describing what qualities you would like to get in your future husband/wife.
- S/He should be respectful and supportive of me and my choices. S/He should treat me as an equal partner and not as a subordinate or a possession. S/He should encourage me to pursue my dreams and goals, and not hinder me or impose his/her will on me.
- S/He should be honest and loyal to me and our relationship. S/He should not lie to me or cheat on me or betray my trust. S/He should be faithful and committed to me and our marriage, and not flirt with other wo/men or have affairs with them.
- S/He should be loving and caring towards me and our family. S/He should express his/her feelings and emotions to me and not hide them or suppress them. S/He should show his/her affection and appreciation for me and not take me for granted. S/He should also love and care for our children, if we have any, and be a good father/mother to them.
- S/He should be intelligent and educated. S/He should have a good sense of humor and a positive outlook on life. S/He should be curious and open-minded, and willing to learn new things and explore new places. S/He should also have some common interests and hobbies with me, so that we can enjoy spending time together.
- S/He should be responsible and hard-working. S/He should have a stable and decent job that s/he is passionate about and that provides for our needs. S/He should also be able to manage his/her finances well and not waste money on unnecessary things. S/He should also share the household chores with me and not expect me to do everything by myself.
Sources
- “A Respectable Woman by Kate Chopin: Summary.” Bachelorandmaster, https://www.bachelorandmaster.com/shortfiction/a-respectable-woman-summary.html. Accessed 29 Dec. 2021.
- “A Respectable Woman, Kate Chopin, Characters, Setting.” Katechopin.org, https://www.katechopin.org/a-respectable-woman/. Accessed 29 Dec. 2021.
- “A Summary and Analysis of Kate Chopin’s ‘A Respectable Woman’ – Interesting Literature.” Interesting Literature, https://interestingliterature.com/2022/03/kate-chopin-respectable-woman-summary-analysis/. Accessed 29 Dec. 2021.
- “About Love (short story) - Wikipedia.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/About_Love_(short_story). Accessed 29 Dec. 2021.
- “About Love by Anton Chekhov: Summary.” Medhum.med.nyu.edu, https://medhum.med.nyu.edu/view/11985. Accessed 29 Dec. 2021.
- “Anton Chekhov – About Love (Full Text) | Genius.” Genius, https://genius.com/Anton-chekhov-about-love-full-text-annotated. Accessed 29 Dec. 2021.