Kate Chopin's Short Stories from Vogue

The collection of Kate Chopin's nineteen short story publications in Vogue, as well as Chopin's short story publications from additional eastern magazines from 1893 to 1900, distinctly reflect Chopin's increasing literary audacity and creativity, a trend which would eventually culminate in her most famous work, The Awakening. The nineteen transitional pieces specific to Vogueinclude the following titles of varying impact and distinction:

• "A Visit to Avoyelles," published with "The Father of Désirée's Baby," Jan. 1893
• "Caline," May 20, 1893
• "Ripe Figs," Aug. 19, 1893
• "The Lady of Bayou St. John, " Sept. 21, 1893
• "Dr. Chevalier's Lie," Oct. 5, 1893
• "La Belle Zoraide, " Jan. 4, 1894
• "A Respectable Woman," Feb. 15, 1894
• "The Story of an Hour," Dec. 6, 1894
• "The Kiss," Jan. 17, 1895
• "Her Letters," Apr. 11 & 18, 1895
• "Two Summers and Two Souls," Aug. 7, 1895
• "The Unexpected," Sept. 18, 1895
• "The Recovery," May 21, 1896
• "The Blind Man," May 13, 1897
• "A Pair of Silk Stockings," Sept. 16, 1897
• "Suzette," Oct. 21, 1897
• "An Egyptian Cigarette," April 19, 1900
• "The White Eagle," July 12, 1900 (Seyersted 1004-10029)

Generally, these stories as a whole progress from whimsical, light pieces towards literary realism and controversial issues, such as "rebellions against male authority, extra-marital liaisons, and the search into a woman's inner being," (Frantz 5). This progression is essential to the understanding of Chopin's development from a local-colorist to a bold female author who voices women's oppression. Jane Frantz explains in Kate Chopin and Her Works: The Adventure of Awakening,

Although some of the early stories can be seen as apprenticeship work and adhere to most of the social norms of the day, they also foreshadow Chopin's eventual unconventionality and the startling outcomes of the later stories (4).

Though clearly this progression to a bolder style did occur, this does not suggest that all of Chopin's early works were entirely conventional. Some of her early works discussed issues such as divorce, suicide, and alcoholism, which conflicted with the social discretionary norms of the times. However, these stories are not quite as daring as the later stories because they provide female characters who confront their social limitations, as well as those who remain oppressed (Frantz 4).

Next: "The Father of Désirée's Baby."

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