Expansion of Identity

Expansion of Identity

Kate Chopin's "A Respectable Woman" is the story of Mrs. Baroda, a wealthy woman who faces temptations in the person of Gouvernail, a polite, modest friend to her loving husband. Mrs. Baroda initially ignores her desires in order to preserve her ideals as a respectable woman, but later seems to have a change of mind, giving in to the idea that conforming to social norms is not her prerogative. The story uncovers the realities in which everyday people struggle to gain or regain various aspects of control in their life and the ways a simple desire can shatter the idea of one's own moral standards.

Walking down the street unaccompanied or smoking cigarettes was considered unusual for nineteenth century woman. The story of Mrs. Baroda seems to display a longing for such independence. Even in today's modern society, women are plagued by the idea of submitting to social norms of womanhood. Chopin seems to convey an elucidated point of view of a female, who belonged to what could be called an inferior class according to the laws and norms of the late nineteenth century. Mrs. Baroda's potential affair with Gouvernail suggests that desire is not always aligned with love, contrary to societal expectations. These expectations in modern society seem to lean towards moral values rather than the typical prospect of social norms. And although it is more evident today in comparison to the late nineteenth century, women seem to consider individual identity to be more important than her social identity. This is a revelation Mrs. Baroda discovers when she finds trouble in understanding her feelings toward Gouvernail. The misunderstanding of her own feelings suggests that she has never encountered such desires. The feeling she is coming to terms with is that of female independence, something women today know all too well about. The story sometimes reads as a coming of "age" story with "age" being the generation of married nineteenth century woman as a whole. The idea that one's sexual desires late in adulthood may help discover the strength of will seems to be a new concept to women during this period and as Mrs. Baroda makes her choices she comes to terms with her own individual identity and independence as a woman. Whether man or woman, the mental conflict within may show its face as temptation, and how one reacts towards it can ultimately help develop a sense of freedom in the idea that if one wanted to, can give in.

Just as in Chopin's story, some women today choose to disregard the sexual and emotional bonds associated with marriage in order to amplify and seek a sense of self identity. Expanding one's own horizons is an instinct that we all as human beings strive to accomplish in order to fulfill what is missing in life and within.