SUMMARY OF THE STORY
Kate Chopin's "The Kiss" is about a woman, Nathalie, that tries to have both a husband and a lover at the same time. The husband, Brantain, is simply fascinated by Nathalie. Brantain courted Nathalie before they married, and is a millionare. Nathalie does not feel the same way about Brantain as he feels about her. She is not attracted to him. Nathalie is intrigued by the idea of wealth and is simply using him for his money.
Nathalie is secretly having an affair with a young handsome man, Harvy. One day, Brantain comes home unexpectidly, does not ring the doorbell, and sees Nathalie and Harvy kissing. Nathalie causes Brantain to feel as if he is the inconsiderate one in the relationship, since he did not ring the doorbell. She assures Braintiain that he has nothing to worry about, and Harvy is a family friend. Braintain believes her. He is enamored by her. At their wedding, he even sends Harvy over to his bride to give her a kiss, because he does not want to stand in the way of their relationship. Harvy seeks out Nathalie at the wedding when he knows she will be alone. When he is just about to kiss her he tells her he cannot, because he gave up women, since they are dangerous. This is very unexpected. Nathalie is not hurt, since she still has Brantian and his millions.
WHY I CHOSE THIS AUTHOR
The first reason I chose to do a story of Chopin's is because I enjoyed reading "The Storm." It a controversial story, not only for its time period. It left me with the impression that as long as you don't get caught having an affair, life can go back to normal and there aren't any consequences. "The Kiss" has the same moral value as "The Storm." "The Storm" and "the Kiss" were both very easy to read. Chopin uses descriptive language that makes you feel as if you are part of the story, and you feel what the characters are experiencing. I wanted to keep reading both stories, and I did not lose concentration or interest as the stories went along.
The second reason why I chose this author is because of the significance of Kate Chopin in American History. The same time that we were reading this story in class, I was learning about influential women in American History in another class, and Chopin's name was brought up. She wrote about alcoholism, adultery, and divorce in a time when women weren't even allowed to vote. She also suffered many losses in her life. I admire Chopin for her courage to express herself, and I feel that she is a remarkable writer based on the stories I have read.
WHAT INTERESTS ME ABOUT THIS PROJECT
This project is a good idea for having us interpret a story we have chosen by a author we have chosen. Chopin's writing is not specific to only the time period that she was living in. It relates to the time I am living in, and will be able to relate to future generations as well. Since I am interested in Chopin and I admire her, it will be easier for me to uncover the underlying meanings in the story. It is more beneficial for us to chose both the author and the story to get to know more about something and someone that we are actually interested in.
A secod reason that this project interests me is it is based on our interpretations of the story. There are positive and negative aspects to hearing the interpretations of others. Sicne the majority of the class is based on everyone's interpretations, I sometimes find myself being swayed by what others have to say. This project will be based on my interpretations and this will force me to discover the underlying meanings that I see in the story, and not anyone else.
WHAT I HOPE TO LEARN FROM THE PROJECT
I hope to gain knowledge of Kate Chopin, and find out why she chose to be influential and controversial. I hope to be able to relate her personal life to "The Kiss." I would like to disect the story, and find every underlying meaning possible. I would also like to be able to put myself in the characters' shoes, and experience their emotions. I hope to be able to focus more on what I personally think about the story, reather than what I hear others' opinions are, and how I am able to see those reflected throughout the story. Most of all, I would like to be able to analyze what Chopin wanted her readers to get out of "The Kiss."
QUESTIONS
1. Why did Chopin write the story?
2. Do you think that Nathalie was a reflection of Chopin at some point in her life?
3. Did Chopin have any male figures in her life that would be reflected in Harvey or Brantain?
4. Do you see a pattern in the endings of the stories in "The Storm" and "The Kiss?"
5. What do you think the morals or values of the story are?