Kate Chopin in Realist Movement

Among the most influential writers during the Realist Movement was widowed writer Kate Chopin. Her literary work, which epitomizes realist literary technique, is filled with the powerful and truthful representation of human life and morality. This is extremely important because it exposes the truth about societal conditions and brings special attention to the restrictions and plights of ordinary human beings. Take for example her novel entitled, “The Awakening”, which in many ways serves as the antecedent for realism. It is openly filled with forthright sexual emotions and desires which were unheard of in literature at the time that she wrote it. The main character Edna perhaps best reflects the realist indulgence into real sexual matters, “And for the first time in her life she stood naked in the open air, at the mercy of the sun, the breeze that beat upon her, and the waves that invited her.” (Awakening, Page 127)There is also the presence of the real, strong, imposed limitations placed on the main character by society and by her family. The sociological and biological limitations of the main character being a married woman with kids certainly closes her options and greatly influences her conduct, whether she likes it or not. “The children appeared before her like antagonists who had overcome her; who had overpowered and sought to drag her into the soul’s slavery for the rest of her days.” (Awakening, Page 127).
Another example of realism in Chopin’s work is the familiar subject matter and common character descriptions that she incorporates into her work. Just like realism, she manages to show the real life, unexaggerated and unembellished events that dominate day to day life for many people. For example, in her novel “At Fault”, one of the main characters she writes about is Jack Dawson who is a middle aged, traveling salesman in the Southwest. There really is nothing phenomenal or outstanding in his ordinary life, in fact, he can even be thought of as a next door neighbor. But as with all realism literature, he finds heartbreak in the reality of his life when he discovers that his wife is having an adulterous relationship with another man, Bert Rodney. “It all came of those two vile wretches thinking Jack Dawson out of town when he wasn’t; for he was right there following them around in their perambulations. And the outcome is that Mr. Rodney has his beauty spoiled they say forever; the shot came very near being fatal.” (At Fault, Page 149)

Works Cited
1. Chopin, Kate. "The Awakening and Other Short Stories" 1st ed. Vol. 1. New York: Oxford UP, 2000. Print. Ser. 1. (Page 127).
2. Chopin, Kate. At Fault; a scholarly edition with background readings. 1st ed. Vol. 1. Knoxville: University of Tennessee, 2001. Print. Ser. 1. (Page 149).