Chopin
Kate Chopin's Symbolic Use of Nature Kate Chopin uses nature and symbolism throughout her three short stories. Her vivid use of nature and its elements allow the reader to get a realistic view of the characters and their setting. By using nature to represent the feelings of her characters, Chopin allows the reader to evoke emotions they might have felt during similar times or situations. A simple example of symbolism would be the use a dark forest in a story. The dark forest could possible represent evil or confusion (1380). Like the example Chopin uses a specific season like spring or naturally occurring thunderstorms to symbolize new life or uncontrollable passion. In the first story the reader encounters Babette and Maman-Nainaine. Quickly the reader learns that Babette is waiting for the figs to ripen before she is allowed to visit her cousins. Figs have little if nothing to do with Babette being able to leave, but instead they symbolize her coming of age. Figs tend to ripen in late spring to early summer. Spring and summer are times of life and growth. So Babette is like a ripening fig that has to grow and mature before its ready. Finally when the figs ripen Maman-Nainaine says, "How early the figs have
Mallard is not dead and the sight of him kills Mrs. The opening sentence states the leaves were so still that a small child could foretell the coming weather. Her response is "I got enough to do!"(28) Here Alcee lust for Calixta can be seen as the never ending rain, while Calixta is the levee trying to hold back the water. The trees and summer days to come represent all the things she has dreamt of doing. In "The Storm" Chopin shifts from seasons to actual weather occurrences to symbolize her characters' emotions. The death of her husband sprang new meaning into her own life. Babette is trying to say to Maman that she is mature and that she has been for quite some time. In the end she gives into his touch just as a levee would to too much water. At first glance her symbolism is not clear, but after a second reading the reader can find an immediate use symbolism to describe what is to come. Calixta is trying to hold back Alcee and herself. The end of the rain is Alcee passion being quenched. Her stories draw in the reader by using situations that are common, but when reread a deeper meaning can be found.
Common topics in this essay:
Storm Chopin,
Maman-Nainaine Quickly,
Kate Chopin,
Mallard Chopin,
Overall Chopin's,
Figs Chopin's,
rain alcee,
Babette's Eventually,
spring life,
symbolize characters' emotions,
dark forest,
symbolize characters',
spring summer,
story reader,
figs ripen,
trying hold,
characters' emotions,
allow reader,
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Acceptance Essays
