A Respectable Woman

Kate Chopin's short novel "A Respectable Woman" revolves around the character of Mrs Baroda and her internal dilemma as she becomes drawn to her husband's friend. The conflict follows the structure of traditional literature, progressing from exposition to escalating action, climax, and resolution.

Mrs. Baroda is first dismayed to learn that her husband's friend Gouvernail intends to stay a week or two on their estate, as she had expected to rest and converse with her husband Gaston Baroda after they had been busy all winter. She's never met Gouvernail, despite knowing that he and her husband were college friends and that he's now a journalist.

She initially thinks of him as a tall, skinny, cynical man, which she dislikes, but when she meets Gouvernail, who is slim but not tall or cynical, she realizes she likes him. Mrs Baroda is not sure why she likes Gouvernail because she does not perceive all of his excellent qualities. He may not appear intelligent, but in response to her eagerness to welcome him and her husband's hospitality, he appears calm and gentle. He makes no effort to impress her, and he enjoys sitting on the portico and hearing Gaston explain the sugar plantation, despite his hatred for fishing and shooting.

She finds Gouvernail perplexing, yet pleasant and unoffensive. She initially leaves him alone with her husband, but as she works to calm his nerves, she starts accompanying him on walks. Her spouse informs her that he will stay another week and asks why she does not want him to. Gaston is overjoyed when she admits that she prefers him to be more demanding.

Mrs. Baroda thinks she expected Gouvernail to be more interesting. Gaston assures her that he does not expect a fuss over his arrival and simply needs a respite from his hectic schedule. She sits alone on a bench later that night, perplexed and longing to leave the plantation, having told her husband that she could go to the city in the morning and stay with her aunt.

Gouvernail observes her and sits next to her, unknowing that she is uncomfortable with his presence. Gouvernail, on Gaston's behalf, hands her a scarf and tells her about the night, and his silence evaporates as he speaks for the first time. He tells her about his childhood and wishes for a tranquil life. She is pulled to his voice more than his words, and she considers bringing him closer despite her reservations because she is "a respectable woman." She eventually goes, but Gouvernail stays to finish his discourse for the evening. She wishes to tell Gaston about her odd folly, but she realizes that she must cope with this emotion on her own.

Mrs Baroda departs into the city the following morning and does not return until Gouvernail has left. Gaston requests that Gouvernail return the next summer, but she declines. She later changes her mind, much to her husband's astonishment, and he convinces her that Gouvernail does not deserve her criticism. She kisses her spouse and promises that she has "overcome everything" and will now treat him more respectfully.

Some Important Questions

1. Sketch the character of Gouvernail and contrast it with Gaston.

ans: Gouvernail is Mr. Baroda's college acquaintance who has come to spend a week or two on his friend's sugar plantation. Gouvernail is a thin, beautiful man. He doesn't wear glasses and is quite likable and inoffensive. He is a quiet guy who enjoys calm. He was neither honest nor conversational. He enjoys sitting on the porch and taking in the cool air while smoking a cigar. He accepts what the Baroda couple gives without making any demands. Mrs. Baroda and his buddy Gouvernail have very different personas. Mr. Baroda is honest and conversational, whereas Gouvernail is too quiet. Gouvernail smokes, while Mr. Baroda does not. It might be claimed that Mr. Baroda is an extrovert and more gregarious man, while Gouvernail is an introvert and less sociable man.

2. The last three sentences of the story bring a kind of twist. After reading these three sentences, how do you analyze Mrs. Baroda’s attitude towards Gouvernail?

ans: The story's final three phrases reveal a twist. Mrs. Baroda liked Gouvernail, but she didn't want him to come into their home because she was afraid of losing her respect in society. Finally, she requested, entirely on her initiative, that Gouvernail pay them another visit. She told her spouse, "I've overcome everything! You’ll see. "This time, I'll be very nice to him." After reading this, I believe Mrs. Baroda has overcome her dread of society. And now she will lose control and succumb to her emotions. I believe she will do whatever her heart desires with Gouvernail because she has promised to be polite to him. From another perspective, we can argue that she has transcended her feelings and emotions toward Gouvernail and will be normal to him.