Home > Literature Group > Discussion Board

I just finished reading "At the 'Cadian Ball" and realized that she was way ahead of her time.  I am a bit confused on what her purpose was for writing the story.  Can anyone shed some light on this?

Kate Chopin's story is informed with the needs and desires of women who were not satisfied about the traditional roles assigned to them in the 19th century. Author's purpose was to re-examine the rights of women in relation to love and marriage--their inclination to escape the prescribed codes/roles.

The story reflects the cultural values of the late 19th century Acadian, Creole, and Cajun society, a society which limited the sexual passions of women to the male-dominated patterns of authority.

Kate Chopin wrote about the qualities of women before they were written by others. Check out her short story "The Storm" and you will see that she felt women constrained by marriage with an independent and adventurous mind with feelings that are as natural as the environment.