Sunday, October 17, 2010

Kate Chopin (1850-1904)

The Awakening


Characters:

  • Edna Pontellier
  • Robert Lebrun
Summary:
  • Edna Pontellier, wife of a successful New Orleans business man and mother of tow, vacations with her family at a seaside resort
  • She develops romantic feelings for Robert Lebrun
  • When they return to New Orleans, Edna moves out of her husband's house and establishes herself in a cottage hoping Lebrun will come look for her after a business trip
  • Upon Robert's return, Edna discovers that he is unable to come to grips with her newfound freedom, and that her husband has a plan that will essentially force her to move back into his house
  • Edna returns to the seaside resort during the off-season. One afternoon she swims out as far as she can and, having exhausted herself, drowns.

"Story of an Hour"

Characters:
  • Josephine
  • Richard
  • Mrs. Millard
Summary:
  • Mrs. Millard's sister, Josephine, and her husband's friend Richard try to break the horrifying news that Mrs. Millard's husband has died in a train accident to her
  • They were both concerned that the news might somehow endanger her health, but ironically Mrs. Millard reacts to the news with excitement
  • She is finally free from the depressing life she was living and keeps whispering "Free! Body and soul free!"
  • At the end of the story Mr. Millard opens the door and is surprised by Josephine's cry. She dies suddenly, and the doctors diagnose it is of heart disease.
  • The story ends with a short phrase "of joy that kills."

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