A discussion of the author, Kate Chopin, including a brief overview of some of her works.
This paper describes the life and works of Kate Chopin, author of short stories, such as “A Pair of Silk Stockings,” “The Kiss” and “A Respectable Woman,” and novels, such as “The Awakening” and “At Fault.” The paper outlines her writing career and examines her writing style, through brief descriptions of some of her literary works. The fact that Chopin’s writings were ahead of their time, is constantly mentioned in the paper.
Kate Chopin (1850-1904) was born Katherine O’Flaherty in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1850. She didn’t begin her writing career until after 1882, the year in which her husband, Oscar Chopin died (Toth). She spent several years publishing short stories, based on the Creole and Cajun cultures of Louisiana, where she and Oscar had lived. Her first novel, At Fault, was published in 1890. It was her second novel The Awakening that caused the backlash of the press because of Chopin’s depiction of a woman with a developing sense of independence, and sexual discovery (Toth). This novel has since become her masterpiece and legacy, and what she is remembered for. She died in 1904, long before her genius was truly recognized or appreciated.