Common themes throughout the works of Kate Chopin
Common Themes Used Throughout the Works of Kate Chopin When looking at any work of literature, the theme of the work is an important element of fiction to determine. Finding and understanding the theme can be useful in interpreting the overall meaning of the story. Many times the author will use the same theme throughout their various works. Such is the case with Kate Chopin. Three of Chopin's works: the novel The Awakening and the short stories "The Story of an Hour" and "The Storm" share the same theme of female oppression and independence, as well as freedom from what oppresses them. The main theme that runs through Chopin's stories is women trying to find a way out of the oppression placed on them by their husbands and the immoral ways they use to find their personal freedom. It is easy to find this theme in the three before-mentioned works by Chopin. In "The Story of an Hour," the protagonist, Mrs. Mallard, feels overpowered and oppressed by her husband. She is told that while on a trip, her husband, Brently Mallard was killed in a railroad accident. While sad at first, she eventually feels that this is a good thing. She leaves to be alone and whispers, "
That is what the protagonists throughout Chopin's works do. Chopin did not conform to societies standards, just like the protagonists in her stories did not. Her husband, Leonce, assumes she is mentally ill. This is a controversial novel that Chopin wrote in 1897. While this is the way she deals with her want to assert herself, it is certainly not accepted by society at that time, or even today. One day she goes out swimming by herself at Grand Isle and has an awakening. Indeed, he seemed to enjoy it" (Ewell 14). It is amazing to see how far society has come along in the last hundred years. She takes in callers once a week and stays at home with the family. Free! Body and soul free!" (Chopin, "Story" 446). She does not eat with her family in the dining room and instead eats in the kitchen. Edna changes her attitude and behavior when she returns to New Orleans. She feels that this is the only way she will be truly free. If the family were poor, the woman would do all the housework and take care of the children.
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