Authors of every genre use images in their works to stand in as metaphors, similes, and more often as simple descriptions. Kate Chopin is very well known for her use of images in her writing. Kate Chopin uses imagery in her stories to build the characters and provide metaphors for their lives.
In “Ripe Figs”, the imagery of nature is present, but at the same time, it is not heavy-handed. Here, Chopin introduces Babette and her god-mother Mamane-Nanaine as they wait for the ripening of the figs before a summer trip to visit family. As the figs were described as “tender yet” and “little hard, green marbles,” so too is Babette, a young child who has not yet grown into a young adult (11). Mamane-Nanaine sees this and is pressing her to slow down, but does not stop her from going out to check on the figs. It is in this way that Mamane-Nanaine is described as “patient as the statue of la Madone,” never trying to rush things, while Babette is “as restless as a hummingbird,” unable to sit still for any real period of time (11). This is a very good contrast between the two, the older one capable of staying still and savoring time as it passes while the younger one must constantly be moving, trying to hurry things and make the time pass quickly. While these images of nature are light, they are still present and are very pleasing metaphors, contributing greatly to this wonderful short story.
As with “Ripe Figs,” Chopin's use of nature images with “The Story of an Hour” is important, though stronger. In this story, Mrs. Mallard is told by her sister and her husband’s friend that her husband had died in a train accident, only to find at the end that he is unharmed and well. Her reaction to this news comes at a great expense to her, as ...
... middle of paper ...
...use of imagery in her writing gives it a more natural feel, blending the emotions of the story as a chameleon does itself in the trees. Many authors do not use such techniques in their writing, leading to a lack of substance in some cases. Without the images of nature that Chopin incorporates into her stories, they would not be as enjoyable to read as they are.
Works cited
Chopin, Kate. “Ripe Figs.” Literature for Composition.
Ed. Sylvan Barnet, William Burto, and William E. Cain.
9th Ed. New York: Longman, 2010. 11-12. Print.
Chopin, Kate. “The Storm.” Literature for Composition.
Ed. Sylvan Barnet, William Burto, and William E. Cain.
9th Ed. New York: Longman, 2010. 71-75. Print.
Chopin, Kate. “The Story of an Hour.” Literature for Composition.
Ed. Sylvan Barnet, William Burto, and William E. Cain.
9th Ed. New York: Longman, 2010. 45-47. Print.
Kate Chopin's The Awakening is full of symbolism such as birds, clothes, houses and other narrative elements are symbols with an extremely significant meaning.
The “Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin and ‘”The Hand” by Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette are similar in theme and setting. Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette and Kate Chopin create the theme of obligatory love and the unhappiness it entails. Both stories illustrate the concealed emotions many women feel in their marriage yet fail to express them. The two stories take place in a sacred room of the house and both transpire in a brief amount of time. The differences between the two stories are seen through the author’s choice of characters in each story. In “The story of an Hour” Kate Chopin involves other characters in Mrs. Mallard’s life, whereas, “The Hand” deals with marriage and togetherness and only involves the husband and wife. Symbolism is seen all throughout “The Hand” not so in ‘The Story of an Hour.” The similarities in “The Story of an Hour” and “The Hand” is portrayed in theme and setting. The differences are illustrated in the choice of characters involved in each story and the amount of symbolism depicted in the different stories.
In Kate Chopin’s short story, “The Story of An Hour,” there are contrasting images of light and dark representing happiness and unhappiness. It isn’t until Louise Mallard thinks that her husband, Brentley Mallard, is dead that she really begins to realize just how unhappy she has been. Chopin shows through the characters light and dark imagery that speaks to this essay.
Chopin had also used imagery a lot. The imagery she uses gives us a look into what the characters look like, and the way that Chopin describes the love life of Edna and how she looks at Robert. “Robert’s voice was not pretentious. It was musical and true.” Chapter XIV page 40.
Kate Chopin's The Awakening is a literary work full of symbolism. Birds, clothes, houses and other narrative elements are powerful symbols which add meaning to the novel and to the characters. I will analyze the most relevant symbols presented in Chopin's literary work.
Kate began to express a sexual activity that was a temporary phase that had no consequences. The tittle “The Strom” is a symbolism of abstract because as a reader, you can feel the suspense building up in the story. It is a symbol of femininity and a temporary phase of passion and sexuality. In addition, Kate was passionate about her writing. For example, when the narrator said, “A bolt struck a tall chinaberry tree at the edge of the field.” (123). The lighting bulb is a concrete symbol of temporary, passionate, and energetic the between the lovers. In her writing, Kate Chopin symbolized a lot of emotions in throughout her story. The narrator said, “When he touched her breasts they gave themselves up in quivering ecstasy, inviting his lips. Her mouth was a fountain of delight. And when he possessed her, they seemed to swoon together at the very borderland of life 's mystery”. (123). Also symbols how passionate she became towards him and she became eager of wanting
Using the biographical lens a reader can understand her work more thoroughly and get a better sense of what she is trying to say. Kate’s unusual upbringing had a major role in her view on the world and helped shape not only her stories but her characters as well. The Awakening and “The Story of an Hour” are just two examples where Kate uses real life people and places to get her inspiration from. A little bit of Kate Chopin’s life can be seen throughout many of her short stories and novels.
In the short story “The Story of an Hour,” written by Kate Chopin, there are many symbols that point to one main emotion. Like every symbol in a well written story, a symbol can be very easy to miss during the first reading. This is why the story must be read many times to truly understand and comprehend the symbolism involved in the plot. Symbolism is a key element in great works. Like Mrs. Mallard’s hidden emotions and feelings, it is often entwined in the reading through objects, people, and places. In this story, there are three important symbols that, if recognized, will allow a reader to enjoy the plot to the fullest extent. These three symbols are the open window, the nature outside, and the features of Mrs. Mallard herself.
The symbols and imagery used by Kate Chopin's in “The Story of an Hour” give the reader a sense of Mrs. Mallard’s new life appearing before her through her view of an “open window” (para. 4). Louise Mallard experiences what most individuals long for throughout their lives; freedom and happiness. By spending an hour in a “comfortable, roomy armchair” (para.4) in front of an open window, she undergoes a transformation that makes her understand the importance of her freedom. The author's use of Spring time imagery also creates a sense of renewal that captures the author's idea that Mrs. Mallard was set free after the news of her husband's death.
primarily sexuality. Chopin declares that women are capable of overt sexuality in which they explore and enjoy their sexuality. Chopin shows that her women are capable of loving more than one man at a time. They are not only attractive but sexually attracted (Ziff 148). Two of Chopin’s stories that reflect this attitude of sexuality are The Awakening and one of her short stories “The Storm”. Although critics now acclaim these two stories as great accomplishments, Chopin has been condemned during her life for writing such vulgar and risqué pieces. In 1899 Chopin publishes The Awakening. She is censured for its “positively unseemly” theme (Kimbel 91). Due to the negative reception of The Awakening Chopin never tries to publish “The Storm”. She feels that the literary establishment can not accept her bold view of human sexuality (Kimbel 108). Chopin definitely proves to be an author way ahead of her time.
... of race, class, gender and culture were very important in that time and Chopin makes sure to address those issues. Whenever someone reads a book, they can look further into the story and find a great deal of the ideas and beliefs of people of that time.
Throughout her novel, The Awakening, Kate Chopin uses symbolism and imagery to portray the main character's emergence into a state of spiritual awareness. The image that appears the most throughout the novel is that of the sea. “Chopin uses the sea to symbolize freedom, freedom from others and freedom to be one's self” (Martin 58). The protagonist, Edna Pontellier, wants that freedom, and with images of the sea, Chopin shows Edna's awakening desire to be free and her ultimate achievement of that freedom.
In “A Rainy Morning”, the imagery appeals to the senses of sight, touch, and sound. Some of the imagery in this poem that appeals to the sense of sight would be: “a women in a wheel chair”, “black nylon poncho”, and “long white fingers”. Also, some imagery that appeals to touch and sound would be: “strike just as the chord fades”, “her wet face beautiful in its concentration”, and “the wind turns the pages of rain”. Without the use of imagery in “A Rainy Morning” we would not be able to compare the woman and the pianist. Imagery helps us to see how these two are able to be compared to each other even though they are two different type of people, they are still
Chopin, Kate. The Story of an Hour. 11th . New York, London: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2013. 476-477. Print.
Kate Chopin is able to illuminate her stories with clever language and meaning. As well as an immense criticism as to how society oppresses the individual in the glorified institution of marriage. Through language, she is able to introduce the thought of deeper meanings. “The Story of an Hour” being a prime example of the individual that has a need for freedom for herself. Through symbolism and straightforward comments, the freedom that Mrs. Louisa Mallard is notable just as her marriage is oppressive.