A Respectable Woman

A Respectable Woman

“A Respectable Woman” is structured around the character of Mrs Baroda and her inner conflict as she finds herself attracted to her husband’s friend.

 

The story follows the traditional structure of classical narrative, progressing from exposition to mounting action, climax, and resolution.

 

Mrs Baroda is initially upset to know that her husband’s friend Gouvernail plans to visit their plantation for a week or so, as she had planned a period of rest and conversation with her husband Gaston Baroda after they had been busy all winter.

 

Despite the fact that Gouvernail and her husband were college friends and that he is now a journalist, whom she has never met before.

 

She has a mental image of him as a tall, skinny, cynical man, which she dislikes at first.

 

When she meets Gouvernail for the first time, who is slim but not tall or cynical, she realizes she likes him.

 

Mrs Baroda isn’t sure why she likes Gouvernail because she doesn’t perceive all of his excellent qualities.

 

Gouvernail doesn’t appear to be  intelligent, but he appears quiet and nice in response to her excitement to welcome him and her husband’s hospitality. 

 

Gouvernail makes no attempt to impress her and prefers to sit on the portico and listen to Gaston’s explainations on the sugar plantation, despite he doesn’t like fishing and hunting.

 

Gouvernail has perplexing behaviour, but lovely and unoffensive. She initially leaves him alone with her husband, but as she works to overcome his anxiety, she starts walking with him.

 

Gaston tells his wife that  Gouvernail will be staying another week with them and asks her why doesn’t she want him to stay with them.

 

When she admits that she prefers him to be more demanding, Gaston is delighted to know the reason behind.

 

Mrs Baroda argues that Gouvernail was supposed to be more fascinating when Gaston assures her that he does not expect a ruckus as a result of his visit, and that all he needs is a vacation from his hectic schedule.

 

That night, she sits alone on a bench, perplexed and longing to leave the plantation, having told Gaston that she might go to the city and stay with her aunt in the morning.

 

Gouvernail observes her and takes a seat next to her, oblivious to her distress.

 

On Gaston’s behalf, Gouvernail hands her a scarf and tells about the night, and his silence dissipates as he speaks for the first time.

 

He tells her about his childhood and his desire to live in peace. She is more captivated to his voice than his words, and despite her reluctance since she is “a respectable woman,” she considers drawing him closer.

 

She goes eventually, but Gouvernail stays to finish his discourse for the evening. She wants to inform Gaston strange behavior, but she realizes that she will have to cope with this emotion on her own.

 

Mrs Baroda leaves the next morning for the city and does not return until Gouvernail has gone.

 

Gaston asks Gouvernail to return the following summer, but she declines. Her husband is surprised when she changes her mind, She kisses her husband and vows that she has “overcome everything”

 

She loves her spouse and promises to treat him with greater respect now that she has “overcome everything.”