Regret
Short Story Analysis: REGRET by Kate Chopin
I. REGRET By Kate Chopin
II. SYNOPSIS / SUMMARY
This short story is about Mamzelle Aurelle who is still single at the age of 50. She has never been married; in fact, she has never been in love. She is alone except for her dog named Ponto and her workers who are negroes. One day, her young neighbor Odile has to visit her sick mother, leaving her four children to Mamzelle Aurelle who has never experienced taking care of even one kid. She struggles and complains in watching over them, especially the baby. She pours out her disgust and complaints about the kids to her cook named Aunt Ruby. However, as the days pass, she finds that she actually enjoys caring for them, thus the feeling of emptiness when Odile comes to take them back at the end of two weeks. Soon after they all leave, Mamzelle Aurelle cries so hard, like a man, and she is not even aware that Ponto is already licking her hand.
III. SHORT STORY ELEMENTS
A. CHARACTERS
1. Mamzelle Aurelle – a single 50-year old woman, Protagonist, Developing
2. Odile – the young neighbor who leaves her four kids to Mamzelle Aurelle, Static
3. Elodie, Ti Nomme, Marceline, and Marcellete – the kids, Static
4. Aunt Ruby - Mamzelle Aurelle’s cook, Static
B. PLOT
a) Introduction
Mamzelle Aurelle is described as a strong-figured woman with ruddy cheeks, hair that is going from brown to gray, and a determined eye.
b) Rising Action
Odile has to leave her four kids to Mamzelle Aurelle.
c) Climax
When Mamzelle Aurelle sees the car which Odile is riding, she feels agitated because the kids have to be gathered.
d) Falling action
Mamzelle Aurelle is alone again, although she can still faintly hear the shrill, glad voices of the kids who have just left with their mother Odile.
e) Denouement
Crying soulfully
I. REGRET By Kate Chopin
II. SYNOPSIS / SUMMARY
This short story is about Mamzelle Aurelle who is still single at the age of 50. She has never been married; in fact, she has never been in love. She is alone except for her dog named Ponto and her workers who are negroes. One day, her young neighbor Odile has to visit her sick mother, leaving her four children to Mamzelle Aurelle who has never experienced taking care of even one kid. She struggles and complains in watching over them, especially the baby. She pours out her disgust and complaints about the kids to her cook named Aunt Ruby. However, as the days pass, she finds that she actually enjoys caring for them, thus the feeling of emptiness when Odile comes to take them back at the end of two weeks. Soon after they all leave, Mamzelle Aurelle cries so hard, like a man, and she is not even aware that Ponto is already licking her hand.
III. SHORT STORY ELEMENTS
A. CHARACTERS
1. Mamzelle Aurelle – a single 50-year old woman, Protagonist, Developing
2. Odile – the young neighbor who leaves her four kids to Mamzelle Aurelle, Static
3. Elodie, Ti Nomme, Marceline, and Marcellete – the kids, Static
4. Aunt Ruby - Mamzelle Aurelle’s cook, Static
B. PLOT
a) Introduction
Mamzelle Aurelle is described as a strong-figured woman with ruddy cheeks, hair that is going from brown to gray, and a determined eye.
b) Rising Action
Odile has to leave her four kids to Mamzelle Aurelle.
c) Climax
When Mamzelle Aurelle sees the car which Odile is riding, she feels agitated because the kids have to be gathered.
d) Falling action
Mamzelle Aurelle is alone again, although she can still faintly hear the shrill, glad voices of the kids who have just left with their mother Odile.
e) Denouement
Crying soulfully