1. The Changing Roles of Men and Women in the United States from 1894 until the present
Mention that we will be reading a short story by Kate Chopin and that we will analyze it from her historical and cultural perspective and compare its setting to current cultural expectations and privileges.
ttp://cdn.buzznet.com/media-cdn/jj1/headlines/2009/01/brad-pitt-sag-awards-2009.jpg

2. What was life like for men and women in 1890 in the U.S.?
The 1890’s was part of the second Industrial Revolution—The Gilded Age of substantial growth in the U.S. population.
The extremely wealthy lived lavishly and industries grew.
There were huge disparities between the rich and poor.

3. There were opulent homes ...

4. And modest or poor homes and living conditions
Tenement Home
Shotgun Style Home 1890

5. The New South The setting of the short story we will read today
Civil War Reconstruction lasted from
Many from the poverty-stricken rural Southern United States were employed in textile jobs, including women and children.
The New South
Note that Kate Chopin lived in The New South and that we want to analyze her work within to that context.

6. From Farming to Industrial Living in the United States
What do you think life was like for families in the United States in the 1890’s?
What traditional roles do you believe men and women fulfilled?
Who had the power?
Who handled child care?
Were their roles complimentary?
Allow a few minutes for students to contribute to a class discussion. Mention the advent of the suburbs and changes to family life wrought by the 2nd Industrial Revolution.

7. Male/Female Roles on the Farm
Engage students to discuss that everything was hand-made and homemade. Mention children’s duties to help parents and that there were no child labor laws in existence.
What roles did men and women fulfill on the farm?

8. Workers in Southern Textile Mills
Ascertain that the students notice that the workers are women.

9. Textile Mill

10. A Few Things to Consider . . .
African American men received the right to vote with the passage of the 15th Amendment in 1870.
The Woman’s Suffrage Movement was sidetracked by the Civil War.
Women received the right to vote with the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.
Ask students: What was Woman’s Suffrage Movement and what did women want? Encourage brief discussion.

11. More Things to Consider . . .
Property rights laws for married women had not been passed in all states in the United States as of 1890.
Ownership of women’s property was transferred to their husbands upon marriage.
Divorce carried social stigma and property reverted to the husband.
Discuss: The aforementioned economic, social, and political factors informed Kate Chopin’s writing of “The Story of an Hour.”

12. Are men and women free to choose their roles today?
Encourage brief discussion on changing roles, freedom of choice, legislation, etc.

13. Roles of Men and Women Today
Men and women are free to work in any profession they choose.
Men or women may choose to work outside the home or inside the home.
Many men opt to stay home to raise their children while their wives work.
Men and women have a voice in government and serve in political office.

14. Kate Chopin February 8, 1850 – August 22, 1904

15. Brief Biography of Kate Chopin
Born Catherine O’ Flaherty in St. Louis, Missouri to a wealthy family.
Lived in the City of St. Louis during the Civil War.
Married cotton trader, Oscar Chopin, in 1870.
Gave birth to five sons and a daughter between 1871 and 1879.
Oscar died of malaria in 1882.
Mention that Kate Chopin’s family was wealthy, as was Oscar. Note that residents of St. Louis supported the Union and the Confederacy, illustrating Chopin’s ability to see both sides, even though her brother, a Confederate soldier was captured by the Union and died of typhoid fever.

16. More about Kate Chopin
Although she grieved the death of Oscar, her writing career took off after his death.
She published short stories in Harpers, Atlantic Monthly and Vogue, some during her marriage.
Her literary idol was Guy de Maupassant.
She also studied:
Charles Darwin
Mary Wilkins Freeman
Sarah Orne Jewett
Highlight the fact that Chopin published during her marriage; her social status afforded her the time. Invite students to discuss the influence of these authors on Chopin.

17. Other Influences
Kate and Oscar Chopin traveled throughout the U.S. and Europe on their honeymoon.
She developed a progressive world-view and a social conscience.
She used her literature to bring women’s issues, racial disparity, and social inequalities to light.

18. Some of Kate Chopin’s Short Stories
“The Storm”
“The Story of an Hour”
“Desiree’s Baby”
“A Pair of Silk Stockings”
“Athenaise”
“At the Cadian Ball”
“Lilacs”
“A Respectable Woman”

19. Kate Chopin’s Novels
At Fault
The Awakening

20. Prevalent Themes of Chopin’s Short Stories and Novels
Inequities of traditional marriage
Motherhood
Class division
Arbitrary race distinctions in Southern culture
Women’s search for identity
Women’s revolt against social norms and conformity
Mention how Chopin traveled and saw the disparities; refer to earlier slides of opulent and very modest homes

21. Kate Chopin’s Home: Natchitoches near Cloutierville Parish Louisiana
Mention that it is a museum today and that she is recognized as an important feminist author.

22. The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
Wikisource Librivox

23. Sources Websites: http://www.wic.org/misc/history.htm

24. Sources Continued
Gilbert, S.M., & Gubar, S. (1996). The norton anthology literature by women: The traditions in English (2nd ed.) New York: Norton & Co.
Lewis, R. A., & Sussman, M. B. (1986). Men’s changing roles in the family. New York: The Hawarth Press.
Goldfield, D., Abbott, C., Anderson, V.D., Argersinger, J.E., Argersinger, P.H., Barney, W.L., et al. (2002). The American journey: A history of the United States custom edition for Texas Woman’s University. Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing.