Romanticism to Realism

1.) The writings of Kate Chopin compare to the Romantics in a sense of simplicity. Between the two stories, Kate Chopin has the main character picking up on and dealing with the simplest matters. In "lilacs", the mother superior is constantly noticing and identifing those things thats have changeed and show to be different from her last visit. In "a pair of silk stockings" the main character is deciding how to spend money. Despite the change in era, it seems as though the idea of bringing magnification and attention to the simple things in life is re-occuring. As the proggression is made, the writings are changing from people realizing and dwelling in a imaginative place nature but people realizing the little things in the social world with everyone else.

2.)In "a pair of silk stockings" and "lilacs", the presence of a theme was equally dominant. In " a pair of silk stockings", the main character was contemplating about the proper way to spend fifteen dollars. The theme that seemed to be present was one of wisdom. I belive that Kate Chopin was trying to convey a message on how to use wisdom in even the simplest of situatuions. In a way, this could have been her way of saying that: judging by the way the nation is being run and the decsions being made, wisdom and contemplation is not being put to use.

In "lilacs", Kate Chopin is showing the essence of living a true life. The story is centered upon a woman who is living two different lives. The story results in the woman being banned from a place in which she enjoyed belonging to and visiting. Perhaps Chopin could be sending a warning message to the society saying that those things that are done in secretivity, and are contrary to the way(s) of life you choose to live; the truth will be revealed.

In my opinion, each of these "ideologies" of how and what society should be like tie in to each other. A person should live one life and stay true themselves. They should not live a life full of facades; for they wil be exposed. However, applying wisdom and a moment of contemplation, will help that person in their proceedings during life.

3.) While reading the two passages, it appears that Chopin is a feminist writer. It seems as though she is writing to women to help with their empowerment and to pass along wisdom. However, Chopin writes for, in my opinion, a society of people that need guidance in how live a "normal" life. Her writings give "advice" and serve as a thinking point for all those who are filled with ambivalence. Her writings force the reader to do a self examination and change their way of living. Furthermore, it can be concluded that she writing for all who apply.


4.) As a reader, Kate Chopin has added on to the life lessons that I have been taught thus far. Before making any decision, you must consider all the possible choices and options. Think about each choice; understanding whom it affects and benefits. In the long run, the decision is yours and you should decided for yourself and no else however, you must keep in mind others and realize that even the simplest of things impact people. Just as those decisions impact others, they impact you. The decisions you make impact your own life and you must decide which road and lifesyle is good for you. You have to pick one life to live because you will be exposed.

5.) The initial attraction to Kate Chopin was the fact that her story was the shortest. However, after reading, I found that her writing was very symbolic and left good messages and concepts. "But Adrienne could not sleep. She did not greatly desire to do so. These hours seemed too precious to be cast into the oblivion of slumber. Are you asleep, Adrienne? No, Sister Agathe. You know it is always so the first night. The excitement of my arrival-I don't know what-keeps me awake"

Because of my religous up bringing, this statement was more spiritual than anything else. To me this statement expressed some of the affects of trying to hide something. She could not sleep; to me that seemed to be a paranoia of hers. When you know you are hiding something, simple life procedures become hesitated. You constantly feel uneasy and you do not know what it is. You constantly find yourself trying to justify its happening. When you enter into a place that you are that is foreign to your life style and differs than your usual dwellings, you don't feel right. You will begin to feel conviction, especially when the foreign inhabitance is the better choice and solution, you will constanly feel troubled. In the end result someone will always find out. You now will be forced to make a decision about which way you choose to live.

The message it brought about for me was that you can't run from God and your wrong doing will catch up to you, thus leaving you in worst shape than when you began. When you find yourself in a place that conflicts with your spirit man, you will always find confusion. Living the right life will always benefit you and it will keep you out of trouble.