Weekend Writing: Celebrating Kate Chopin

I first read Kate Chopin's famous novel, The Awakening, in high school. At the time, the novel was my earliest introduction to feminist writing. From then on, I have read multiple feminist works and I connect with these writers who have paved the way for women writers to declare their own voice in literature.

Of course, that includes Kate Chopin. I'm celebrating her on the blog today because yesterday (February 8) was her birthday. Born on February 8, 1850, in St. Louis, Missouri, as Katherine O'Flaherty, she was the third of five children, but her sisters died in infancy. She grew up infatuated with fairy tales, poetry, classic novels and stories, and religious texts (as she grew up in a Roman Catholic household and attended Sacred Heart Academy). 

By the time Kate was five years old, she learned how to handle her own money, which came in handy when her father died during her childhood. She was tutored by her great-grandmother, in which she learned French, music, history, and how to view life without fear. 

Eventually, the Civil War broke out and Kate suffered from many losses. Her best friend, Kitty Garesche, and her family were banished for supporting the Confederate, her half-brother passed away from a fever, and her beloved great-grandmother died. 

Kate Chopin (photo/English Literature)

Kate was forced to study on her own, which she did, remaining reserved from society, until she eventually met and married her husband, Oscar Chopin, on June 8, 1870. The newlyweds moved to New Orleans and they had six children: Jean Baptiste, Oscar Charles, George Francis, Frederick, Felix Andrew, and Leila. 

The Chopin family eventually moved to Cloutierville, Louisiana, to manage small plantations and a general store. They were very involved in the community and Kate observed everyone to provide material for her writing. She loved to "people watch" and knew it would be a useful practice. She wasn't wrong. 

But unfortunately, Oscar passed away in 1882 and left Kate to raise their six children, ranging in ages 11 to three years old. Kate was forced to run his businesses, as he was $42,000 in debt. She tried her best to run the businesses, but she couldn't keep up with the changing cultures of Louisiana. Her mother persuaded her to move her children to St. Louis, and Kate obliged--packing up her family and moving back to the city she knew best. A year later, her mother died and Kate became depressed at her sudden life changes. Her doctor encouraged her to start writing as a form of therapeutic healing, and she obeyed. 

This was the best advice anyone could have given her. By the early 1890s, Kate was writing numerous short stories, newspaper articles, and her creative work was published in literary magazines. She published her first novel, At Fault, in 1890, but it would be her second novel, The Awakening, that would grasp everyone's attention. 

Kate Chopin's "The Awakening"
(photo/Amazon.com).

Published in 1899, The Awakening is regarded as one of the earliest feminist works of the 20th century. The story of a woman trapped in the confines of an oppressive society is one many women could relate to during that time period. Women can still relate to Chopin's writing. 

Unfortunately, not everyone thought Chopin's beloved novel was successful. In fact, it was highly critiqued because it conflicted with societal standards. It was viewed as far too ahead of its time and not socially embraced. It was banned and considered "poison." The novel didn't resurface again until the 1970s. Thank goodness it was or else today's readers wouldn't be loving and appreciating Kate Chopin's writing!

Dealing with the criticism, Chopin turned away from novel writing and wrote strictly short stories. She never made much money from her writing, but if she only knew how successful she would one day become. Unfortunately, while visiting the St. Louis World's Fair on August 20, 1904, she suffered a brain hemorrhage and died two days later, on August 22. She was 54 years old, but her legacy would surpass her death.

Kate Chopin (Wikipedia)

Today, Chopin is credited as a pioneer of the early feminist movement. She remarked on female sexuality and independence--taboo subjects of the "turn of the century." But regardless of writing these taboo subjects, Chopin broke new ground in American literature. Her work found new readers in the 1970s--at the height of the women's movement. Women wanted to read about early feminists, and Chopin certainly contributed to this significant genre of literature.

Kate Chopin has inspired generations of women and writers to be bold and daring--to be independent. She wrote, "But whatever came, she had resolved never again to belong to another than herself." Kate Chopin was herself. She knew how to write about new ideas, concepts that were unusual for the time period, but she hoped they would one day come true. She hoped for independence. She dreamed of a better future.

And I'd like to say we are living up to that dream. If only she were here to experience it herself.

-KJL-