26 pages • 52 minutes read
A Respectable Woman
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Symbols & Motifs
The White Scarf
The white scarf that Gouvernail brings to Mrs. Baroda at the request of her husband is a physical reminder of her marriage and her role within it. As an item that she typically wears over her head and shoulders, it visually recalls a bridal veil, making it a symbol for her status as a wife within this story.
The fact that this scarf is delivered by Gouvernail, amid Mrs. Baroda’s attempt to sort through her thoughts and feelings, advances the theme of Devotion Versus Desire. This is further highlighted by Mrs. Baroda’s response to the white scarf. Instead of automatically putting it on, as might be expected, Mrs. Baroda “let it lie in her lap” (Paragraph 20). This ambiguous action reflects that she has not yet made up her mind regarding the two men and her relationship to them. It also foreshadows the story’s ambiguous ending.
Gouvernail’s Name
“Gouvernail” is a French name that translates to “rudder,” the device used for steering a boat. There is much speculation about this name and what it might symbolize in terms of this character’s impact in the story.
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Related Titles
By Kate Chopin
