A Respectable Woman by Kate Chopin

Summary

The short story 'A Respectable Woman' is about a woman and her inner conflict. She feels attracted to her husband’s friend, and this creates tension in her mind.

Mrs. Baroda lives on a plantation with her husband, Gaston. Gaston tells her that his friend Gouvernail will visit for a week or two. Mrs. Baroda feels upset because she wanted quiet time with her husband. She has never met Gouvernail, but she imagines he will be tall, rude, and sarcastic.

When he arrives, he is not like she imagined. He is quiet, gentle, and polite. She starts to like him, but she does not understand why.

Gouvernail spends his days sitting on the porch, smoking, and listening to Gaston. He does not try to impress anyone. This makes Mrs. Baroda confused. She cannot understand him. At first, she avoids him. Then she tries to spend time with him, but he stays quiet.

Mrs. Baroda begins to feel attracted to him. This makes her uncomfortable. She tells her husband that Gouvernail tires her, even though he does nothing wrong.

Mrs. Baroda decides to leave the plantation so she does not make a mistake. One night, she sits alone outside. Gouvernail comes to talk to her. She feels tempted by him but controls her feelings. She decides it is best to leave the next morning.

After a few days, Gouvernail leaves. Mrs. Baroda feels calm again. Later, Gaston says that Gouvernail wants to visit again. This time, Mrs. Baroda agrees confidently because she has control over her feelings.

Answer the following questions.

a. Why was Mrs. Baroda unhappy with the information about Gouvernail’s visit to their farm?

Mrs. Baroda was unhappy because she wanted rest and quiet time with her husband, not a guest.

b. How was Gouvernail different from Mrs. Baroda’s expectation?

Gouvernail was quiet, gentle, and polite. She had expected him to be tall, sarcastic, and unfriendly.

c. How does Mrs. Baroda compare Gouvernail with her husband?

She thinks her husband is open and talkative, but Gouvernail is silent and reserved.

d. Why and how did Mrs. Baroda try to change Gouvernail’s solitary habits?

She tried to change him because she was curious about him. She walked with him and talked to him to make him more social.

e. How does Gaston disagree with his wife on Gouvernail’s character?

Gaston says Gouvernail is a clever and good man, but Mrs. Baroda finds him dull and quiet.

f. Why is Gaston surprised with his wife’s expression towards the end of the story?

Gaston is surprised because his wife suddenly agrees to welcome Gouvernail again after seeming troubled by him before.