Kate Chopin was a nineteenth-century writer who is described as being ahead of her time. In the mid-1800's Chopin's subject matter was considered to be taboo. She wrote about passion, independence, joy, sorrow and gossip. Chopin was not a stranger or unfamiliar with any of these themes. Many considered her to be controversial and notorious. In three of her short stories we can find evidence in each leading lady's character that sheds light on Chopin's then radical ideas and beliefs for a woman living in the 1800's. For instance, in "A Respectable Woman", Chopin shows us how a good marriage doesn't have to be traditional. In "The Storm", Chopin reveals her own insights on the subject of infidelity and exposes suggestive hints about her own love affair. Finally, in "The Story of an Hour", it is insinuated that Chopin based the story on her own fathers death, and reveals Chopin's own opinion about marriage.
             "A Respectable Woman" was written in 1897. The story begins with Mrs. Baroda finding out that her husband has invited his friend Gouvernail to stay with them for a few weeks. She is upset at first because her husband did not consult with her before he invited Gouvernail. Her initial disapproval reveals that Mrs. Baroda and her husband have somewhat of an equal relationship. This kind of marriage was probably rare in the 1800's simply because the husband was considered the head of the household, and the wife's role was to "serve" her husband. Chopin, being somewhat of a "free-spirit", most likely experienced a similar marriage, like the Baroda's in "A Respectable Woman", with her husband Oscar. Oscar was probably just as "laid back" as Chopin was. Emily Toth quotes Mrs. Tritle as saying "Kate was very much in love with her [husband] Oscar." There are no indications that Chopin was ...