Kate Chopin A woman Ahead of Her Time (1850~1904)

1. Kate ChopinA woman Ahead of Her Time(1850~1904) “Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer; than to remain a dupe to illusions all one’s life.”

2. Kate Chopin(1850~1904) Work Short story The story of an Hour Novel The Awakening Theme • women's search for self-discovery or identity. • women's revolt against gender conformity or against social norms that limit women's possibilities in life. • women's understanding of feminine sexuality or women's experience of motherhood, pregnancy, or childbirth.

3. The story of an Hour 3→ She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance. 4 → facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair 5 → Trees were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain. A peddler was crying his wares. A distant song reached her faintly. Countless sparrows were twittering.

4. 6 → There were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds that had met and piled one above the other. 8 → She was young, with a calm face, whose lines bespoke repression. But now there was a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought.

5. 11 → She said it over and over under her breath: "free, free, free!" There would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself. 13 → She knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death; the face that had never looked save with love upon her.

6. 21 → Someone was opening the front door with a latchkey. It was Brently Mallard who entered. 23 → When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease--of the joy that kills.

7. American women’s status in 19th century • Enjoyed few of the legal, social, or political rights. • Remained subservient to their fathers and husbands. • Limited control over personal property after marriage. • Barred from higher education.

8. American women’s status in 19th century • Middle- and upper-class women Caring their children Doing the household • Lower-class women Work outside the home Poorly-paid domestic servants

9. First-wave feminism • During 19th century to early 20th century • Focus on… The promotion of equal contract Property rights Gaining political power The right of voting

10. Reference • http://www.katechopin.org/ • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Chopin • http://www.bookrags.com/essay • LCTD英文文學與文化教學資料庫 • 英美文學名著課堂教材

11. Thanks for your attention~ 第九組 組員 徐灩 王姿靜 賴映伶 陳信璋