A Respectable Woman

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. Why was Mrs. Baroda unhappy with the information about Gouvernail’s visit to their farm?

Mrs. Baroda is unhappy with the information about Gouvernail's visit to their farm because she feels that it is not appropriate for a single man to visit a married woman's home without her husband being present.

b. How was Gouvernail different from Mrs. Baroda’s expectation?

Gouvernail is different from Mrs. Baroda's expectation because she had imagined him as a more lively and extroverted person, while in reality he is quite reserved and introverted.

c. How does Mrs. Baroda compare Gouvernail with her husband?

Mrs. Baroda compares Gouvernail with her husband in terms of personality and social status. She finds Gouvernail to be more refined and cultured than her husband, who is more rough around the edges.

d. Why and how did Mrs. Baroda try to change Gouvernail’s solitary habits?

Mrs. Baroda tries to change Gouvernail's solitary habits by inviting him to join her and her husband for meals and social activities. She is also drawn to Gouvernail's mysterious and reserved nature.

e. How does Gaston disagree with his wife on Gouvernail’s character?

Gaston disagrees with his wife on Gouvernail's character, believing that Gouvernail is a lazy and unambitious person.

f. Why is Gaston surprised with his wife’s expression towards the end of the story?

Gaston is surprised with his wife's expression towards the end of the story because she seems to be in a state of emotional turmoil and he is not sure what is causing it.

Reference to the context

a. What is the cause of conflict in Mrs. Baroda’s mind? What role does Mrs. Baroda ‘being a respectable woman’ play in the story?

The cause of conflict in Mrs. Baroda's mind is her attraction to Gouvernail and the societal expectations of a married woman's behavior. Mrs. Baroda is struggling with her own desire for Gouvernail and the societal norms of a respectable woman. As a respectable woman, she is supposed to be loyal and devoted to her husband, and not to have any kind of attraction to other men. This creates an internal conflict for her, as she is torn between her societal obligations and her personal desires. The theme of "being a respectable woman" plays a central role in the story as it sets the background of the society's expectations of a woman and how it shapes the protagonist's inner turmoil as she tries to navigate her feelings and societal norms.

b. Sketch the character of Gouvernail and contrast it with Gaston.

Gouvernail is a reserved and introverted character in the story. He is a solitary person who keeps to himself, and does not engage in much social interaction. He is also described as being refined and cultured, with a certain air of mystery surrounding him. He is a stark contrast to Gaston, who is more rough around the edges and less cultured. Gouvernail is also more reserved and introverted, while Gaston is more outgoing and sociable. Gouvernail is also less ambitious, and seems content with his simple lifestyle while Gaston is more driven. Gouvernail is also more mysterious and reserved, while Gaston is more straightforward and transparent. Overall, Gouvernail is a mysterious and reserved figure who captures the interest of Mrs. Baroda, while Gaston is a more conventional and less mysterious figure who is less interesting to her.

c. Why does Mrs. Baroda not disclose her feelings towards Gouvernail to her husband?

Mrs. Baroda does not disclose her feelings towards Gouvernail to her husband because she is aware that it would be considered socially unacceptable and would damage her reputation as a respectable woman. She also aware that it would cause problems in her marriage and that her husband would not understand or approve of her feelings. Additionally, the fact that Gouvernail is a solitary and less ambitious man, and that he is not of the same social status as her, would make it more difficult for her to explain her attraction to him. Furthermore, she might be aware that her husband Gaston and Gouvernail have a different opinion about Gouvernail, and she may fear that it would create a rift between them and also cause damage to her relationship with her husband. Therefore, she chooses to keep her feelings towards Gouvernail to herself and struggles with them internally.

d. The last three sentences of the story bring a kind of twist. After reading these three sentences, how do you analyze Mrs. Baroda’s attitude towards Gouvernail?

The last three sentences of the story reveal that Mrs. Baroda's feelings towards Gouvernail are not just simple attraction or admiration, but rather a deep-seated emotional connection. The last three sentences reveal that Mrs. Baroda has been in love with Gouvernail for many years, and that her feelings for him have never truly gone away. This realization comes as a surprise to the reader, as it was not explicitly stated throughout the story.

It also suggests that Mrs. Baroda's feelings towards Gouvernail have been repressed and denied, perhaps due to societal expectations and her own sense of duty towards her husband. It also implies that her actions throughout the story, in trying to change Gouvernail's solitary habits and inviting him to join her and her husband for meals and social activities, were driven not just by a simple attraction but by a deep emotional connection.

In summary, the last three sentences of the story reveal that Mrs. Baroda's attitude towards Gouvernail is one of deep, repressed love and emotional connection, which has been denied and repressed due to societal expectations and duty towards her husband.

Reference beyond the text

a. The entry of an outsider into a family has been a recurring subject in both literature and films. Narrate a story real or imaginative where an outsider’s arrival destroys the intimate relationship between the husband and the wife and causes break up in marital relationship without direct fault of anyone. Anton’s Chekhov’s story ‘About Love’ is a story on this subject.

Once upon a time, there was a couple named Emily and Michael who had been happily married for five years. They lived in a small town and had a strong bond with each other. They shared everything and had a deep understanding of each other's needs and wants. They were happy and content with their lives.

One day, a new family moved into the town and they became friends with Emily and Michael. The new family consisted of a man named Alex and his wife, Olivia. Alex and Olivia were charming and charismatic people and quickly became close friends with Emily and Michael. They would often spend their evenings together, playing games and sharing stories.

As time passed, Emily and Michael noticed that their relationship had changed. Emily and Alex had formed a special bond and were spending more and more time together. Michael, who had always been a bit insecure, started feeling left out. He tried to join in the conversations, but he felt like an outsider. He couldn't understand why Emily was spending so much time with Alex.

Emily, on the other hand, didn't realize the impact that her friendship with Alex was having on her marriage. She was enjoying the conversations and the company of her new friend. She didn't see that her husband was feeling neglected.

As the weeks passed, Michael's feelings of insecurity grew stronger. He started to resent Alex and Olivia's presence in their lives. He would often get angry with Emily for spending so much time with them. Emily, feeling guilty, tried to distance herself from Alex and Olivia, but it was too late. The damage had been done.

The couple's relationship continued to deteriorate until one day, Michael told Emily that he couldn't continue living in this way. He asked for a divorce, and Emily, heartbroken, agreed. The arrival of an outsider, Alex, into their lives had destroyed the intimate relationship between the husband and wife, and caused a break-up in their marital relationship.

The end of the story shows that, sometimes, the entry of an outsider can disrupt the balance in a relationship and cause the destruction of something that was once beautiful, even though no one was at fault directly. It also shows that, in some cases, the outsider may not even be aware of the impact they are having on the relationship.

Mrs. Baroda makes an expectation about Gouvernail even before meeting him. Suppose you are a mature girl/boy and your family members are giving you pressure for getting married. Write in about 200 words describing what qualities you would like to get in your future husband/wife.

As a mature boy, I understand that marriage is a serious commitment and finding the right partner is crucial. When it comes to my future husband/wife, I have a few key qualities that I am looking for.

Firstly, I value honesty and integrity in a partner. I want someone who is truthful and transparent in their actions and words. This is important for building trust and a strong foundation for our relationship.

Secondly, I am looking for someone who is kind and compassionate. I want someone who is considerate of my feelings and is willing to listen to my thoughts and ideas. Someone who is empathetic and understanding, who can put themselves in my shoes and support me in difficult times.

Thirdly, I value intelligence and ambition in a partner. I want someone who is ambitious, motivated and driven to achieve their goals. Someone who is knowledgeable and curious about the world around them, and who is always looking to learn and grow.

Lastly, I am looking for someone who is self-aware and has a strong sense of self. Someone who is comfortable in their own skin and knows what they want in life. Someone who is confident and secure in themselves, and who can be a source of stability and support for me.

In summary, I am looking for a partner who is honest, kind, ambitious, and self-aware. Someone who is willing to build a strong foundation of trust, communication, and understanding. I believe that these qualities will help me to find a person with whom I can build a happy, healthy and fulfilling relationship.