Kate Chopin

“Edna lived a dual life - that outward existence which conforms, the inward life which questions”

— Kate Chopin

“If ever a fusion of two human beings into one has been accomplished on this sphere it was surely their union.”

— Kate Chopin

A bird with a broken wing was beating the air above, reeling, fluttering, circling disabled, down, down to the water

— Kate Chopin

“She seemed to have apprehended all of the composer's coldness and none of his poetry.”

— Kate Chopin

“When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease - of the joy that kills.”

— Kate Chopin

but whatever came, she had resolved never again to belong to another than herself.

— Kate Chopin

“A general air of surprise and genuine satisfaction fell upon everyone as they saw the pianist enter.”

— Kate Chopin

“She says a wedding is one of the most lamentable spectacles on earth.”

— Kate Chopin

“The stillest hour of the night had come, the hour before dawn, when the world seems to hold its breath. The moon…

— Kate Chopin

“Mrs. Pontellier was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an…

— Kate Chopin

It was not despair, but it seemed to her as if life were passing by, leaving its promises broken and unfulfilled. Yet…

— Kate Chopin

“She was becoming too familiar for her own comfort and peace of mind. It was not despair; but it seemed to her…

— Kate Chopin

“What did it matter! What could love, the unsolved mystery, count for in face of this possession of self-assertion which she suddenly…

— Kate Chopin

There was a dull pang of regret because it was not the kiss of love which had inflamed her, because it was…

— Kate Chopin

Some people are born with a vital and responsive energy. It not only enables them to keep abreast of the times; it…

— Kate Chopin

“The voice of the sea is seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses…

— Kate Chopin

The mother-women seemed to prevail that summer at Grand Isle. It was easy to know them, fluttering about with extended, protecting wings…

— Kate Chopin

There were days when she was unhappy, she did not know why,--when it did not seem worthwhile to be glad or sorry,…

— Kate Chopin

Exhaustion was pressing upon and overpowering her. "Good-by--because I love you." He did not know; he did not understand. He would never…

— Kate Chopin

No, I only think you cruel, as I said the other day. Maybe not intentionally cruel; but you seem to be forcing…

— Kate Chopin

I wonder if anyone else has an ear so tuned and sharpened as I have, to detect the music, not of the…

— Kate Chopin

He greatly valued his possessions, chiefly because they were his, and derived genuine pleasure from contemplating a painting, a statuette, a rare…

— Kate Chopin

“An indescribable oppression, which seemed to generate in some unfamiliar part of her consciousness, filled her whole being with a vague anguish.…

— Kate Chopin

“It sometimes entered Mr. Pontellier's mind to wonder if his wife were not growing a little unbalanced mentally. He could see plainly…

— Kate Chopin

“Some people are born with a vital and responsive energy. It not only enables them to keep abreast of the times; it…

— Kate Chopin

“She felt that her speech was voicing the incoherency her thoughts, and stopped abruptly.”

— Kate Chopin

“But she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely.”

— Kate Chopin

“He could see plainly that she was not herself. That is, he could not see that she was becoming herself [...].”

— Kate Chopin

The city atmosphere certainly has improved her. Some way she doesn't seem like the same woman.

— Kate Chopin

She wanted something to happen - something, anything: she did not know what.

— Kate Chopin

“They had been permitted to sit up till after the ice-cream, which naturally marked the limit of human indulgence.”

— Kate Chopin

“And, moreover, to succeed, the artist much possess the courageous soul.”

— Kate Chopin

There was no despondency when she fell asleep that night; nor was there hope when she awoke in the morning.

— Kate Chopin

We shall be everything to each other. Nothing else in the world is of any consequence.

— Kate Chopin

“The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings.”

— Kate Chopin

“She reminded him of some beautiful, sleek animal waking up in the sun.”

— Kate Chopin

“I love you, only you; no one but you. It was you who awoke me last summer out of a life-long, stupid…

— Kate Chopin

“His coming was in the nature of a welcome disturbance; it seemed to furnish a new direction for her emotions.”

— Kate Chopin

The voice of the sea is seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander in abysses of solitude.

— Kate Chopin

“His manner invited easy confidence. The preliminary stage of becoming acquainted was one which he always endeavored to ignore when a pretty…

— Kate Chopin