At the Cadian Ball was my favorite of the readings this week from Kate Chopin. Her stories were shorter than most of the ones we have been reading, so it kept my mind from wandering during the reading. At the Cadian ball is a story that sets up the scene for its sequel "The Storm". In this story they are setting up the scene for what will in the next story become two different marriages. When Alcee leaves to attend the ball his cousin Clarisse asks his slave where he went, and when he tells her that he left and probably will not be returning for a few weeks she panics. Meanwhile he is at the ball trying to convince the object of many mens affection Calixta to go back to the Assumption with him. While they are talking a black man interrupts to tell Alcee that someone needs to speak with him but they laugh it off until Clarisse appears. She tells him something has happened and he needs to go back, which sets the stage for Bobinot to enter and talk to the object of his affection Calixta. When Alcee and Clarisse return Alcee realizes that Clarisse is in love with him and wanted to avoid losing him for weeks, at the same time Calixta promises marriage to Bobinot. Both of these situations will later lead to unhappy marriages, in which is seems Alcee and Calixta are in just to avoid the situation of getting out.
I liked the way that Kate Chopin set up the scenes so that it is as if you can picture the ball they were at. Like something out of a movie about the Disney princesses. Her description was really good and kept me interested throughout the whole story. I think that her portrayal of Calixta was a way of putting herself into a story. While she may not have been as bold and sexual as Calixta I think that it portrays her opinion on how a woman should be. Calixta knows exactly what she wants, and realizes that Bobinot is lucky to have her, and makes that evident to him and anyone who reads Chopin's story. After reading the pieces by Chopin I think I would like to read more of her work to see if there is a similiar portrayal of strong women characters.
3 comments:
I agree with you in that these stories were better to read becuase of the length. But the one I found most difficult was the "At the Cadian Ball" becuase of the language, and Kate trying to make it clear that they had an accent. But to me it made it harder to read, so I actually didn't understand some of what happened. On the other hand I also like the other two stories, with better language, and still on the shorter side I found them also very easy to read and follow along making it more enjoyable to read. I also agree, and liked that the stories were linked and had the same character, like in "at the cadian ball" and "the storm". I feel like doing this gives you the same chacters you know but makeing it a whole new story which keeps the readers inerested and wanting to read more.
Alyssa,
I think you made an important point when you said that you thought Chopin was using Calixta’s character to show how women should be. The characteristics that you pointed out all have a common theme: empowering women. And I think perhaps that was something that motivated Chopin to write; her desire to impress upon women that they could be strong and independent, thinking for themselves.
It seems as though Kate Chopin only writes about how women can be powerful and can lead their own lives. I really liked reading all of her stories, especially because it puts down the guy characters in the stories. I pictured Bobinot as a erdy type guy who is infatuated with Calixta. Alcee as a bad boy who thinks he's hot stuff. And Armand as a jerk who finally gets put in his place. I really like how she portrays the men in these stories. It's kind of funny.
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