Perceptions and Expectations of Wives in "A Respectable Woman" Anonymous College

A Respectable Woman is a short story by Katie Chopin, which explores the themes of perception through the main character: Mrs. Baroda. The story revolves around Mrs. Baroda, wife to Gaston Baroda, who conflicts with her inner desires to fall in love with Gouvernail, an old college friend to Gaston. However, given her status as a "respectable women," since they were rich and expected to be faithful to her husband, Mrs. Baroda struggles with her prosperous behaviors for the two weeks that Gouvernail stays with them at their house. Characterization plays a significant role in bringing out the theme of perception, and women’s roles as wives and their duty to maintain the social definition of their dignity and status. Through Mrs. Baroda's prosperous character, her husband Gaston's caring and kind nature, the lovable inoffensive character of Gouvernail, Kate Chopin portrays the role played by perceptions in shaping how 'respectable women' should behave, especially concerning their roles as wives.

The most important character in the short story is the protagonist, Mrs. Baroda, whose perspective the narrator employs. Mrs. Baroda is introduced only by her surname, which forms the first impression of her outer characterization. The...