Kate Chopin's Stories
Epiphanies are essential elements of Kate Chopin's short stories. Oftenher characters experience a moment of realization that alters their livespermanently. In fact, many characters resort to suicide as a means ofcoping with life's struggles. Through utilizing imagery and foreshadowing,Chopin creates fantastic stories that cause us to consider the truth of our "The Awakening" is probably the best example of a character awakening tothe realities of her life. In short, Edna represents the stranglehold ofmotherhood. Karen Simon states, "It is not, finally, society thatinfringes on her autonomy and individuality, but the very forces of natureand the very existence of her children" (Simon 1998). This notion becomesclear when Edna thinks of her husband and children and realizes that they"were a part of her life. But they need not have thought that they couldposses her, her body and soul" (Chopin 1989b). In addition, we are toldthat her children "appeared before her like antagonists who had overcomeher; who had overpowered and sought to drag her into the soul's slavery forthe rest of her days" (Chopin 1989b). Something in Edna refuses to believethat being a wife and a mother was all th
Simon puts it succinctly when she says that Edna "would rather bedissolved by nature than defined by it. For instance, when Madame Valmondearrives at the house, we are told that she "shuddered at the sight of it"(Chopin 1989a). Additionally, when Madame Valmonde picks up the baby andexamines him in the light and glances at the nurse, we become more curious. Indeed, her experience appears to be one thatescapes words. Like Edna, she decides that shecannot go on and "disappears among the reeds and willows that grew thickalong the banks of the deep, sluggish bayou; and she did not come backagain" (Chopin 1989a). Desiree experiences anincredible shock that she cannot overcome. Simonnotes, "because the children have invaded her imaginative life, she hasno space in which to delude herself again" (Simon 1998). We are told that he experiences an "awful change"(Chopin 1989a) from being a proud father to a man whom "the very spirit ofSatan seemed to suddenly take hold of him in his dealings with the slaves"(Chopin 1989a). This is a very sensualawakening for Calixta. Perhaps the most powerful image in this story isfound in the when Louise is standing by the window looking at the "tops ofthe trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life" (Chopin 1990b). This is reinforced when Louise dies at the sight of herliving husband, who has unknowingly stripped it from her. " Perhaps the mostsignificant image we discover in "The Storm" is the storm that causes Alceeto Calixta's doorstep. In addition, she also hears the "notes of a distant song which some one wassinging" as well as smell the "delicious breath of rain" in the air (Chopin1990b).
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Acceptance Essays
