Background Information

​

Women in the 19th century were in a transition from their traditional roles in the 18th century. While their duties were still to clean the house, care for, clothe, and feed their children and husbands, adhere to the wishes of their husbands, while keeping up some kind of a social life, the women’s suffrage and rights movement helped women find their voice to stand up against submission (Hechtlinger). They found power in themselves and began to play a major part in movements like the abolition and temperance movements, but more importantly, this newfound power helped them fight against their inferior political, social, and economic role in society. While some women took a more active approach for change getting involved in the larger movements, other women sought individual freedom in their married lives. Among these women is Kate Chopin, a woman who challenged and empowered women to become aware individuals through her short stories, novels, and other collected works (For a full list of her work and a short summary of her writing career go HERE) Though she wasn’t received well during her time, Chopin’s works are both a reminder of women of her own time’s hardships as well as a call for the self emancipation of anyone forced to submit under social norms.