Kate Chopin: A Controversial
Kate Chopin: A Controversial Feminist Kate Chopin was one of the greatest and earliest feminist writers in history, whose works have inspired some and drawn much criticism from others. Chopin, through her writings, had shown her struggle for freedom and individuality. Katherine (O'Flaherty) Chopin was born February 8, 1851 to a wealthy Irish Catholic Family in St. Louis, Missouri ("Kate Chopin" 1). Her father, Thomas O'Flaherty, was a founder of the Pacific Railroad, who unfortunately died when a train fell off a collapsed bridge on its inaugural trip in 1855. Only a few years later, Kate's older brother George was captured by Union soldiers during the Civil War in 1863. He then died in captivity from typhoid fever. The loss of both of Kate's male role models created the powerful relationships she had with her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Eliza Faris O'Flaherty, Kate's mother, was a member of a French-Creole community and an active participant in that community. After her husband's death, Eliza became more religious and closer to her daughter. Kate had also developed strong ties with her great-grandmother, who taught her how to speak French and play the piano. Kate received most of her education in St. Louis
Mitsutani viewed Edna's suicide "as much as an act of self-preservation as self-destruction" (12). After a yearlong engagement she finally married him on June 9, 1870. She suffered an accident because of her drinking and the husband and the woman were finally able to continue their relationship without any interference or consequences. In The Awakening, Chopin accomplished the largest exploration of feminine consciousness (Magill 91). Upon its publication, critics praised her portrayal of bayou life and its addressing of unfaithfulness and race issues (3). Her works, no matter how praised or condemned, will always be a reminder of the struggle for women's rights and liberties. This collection showed her interest in passion, sexuality and marriage, and also her growing concern for the discrimination against women. While on a summer vacation without her husband, Edna met and fell in love with a younger man named Robert LeBrun. When she returned, Robert had left her a note that said, "goodbye, because I love you. After A Night in Acadie's publication, Kate was working on another collection, A Vocation and a Voice. At Fault received mixed reviews, and was criticized for dealing too much with female alcoholism and marriage problems.
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