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The Kiss Summary | Kate Chopin | Vision BBA 1st Semester/ BBS 2nd Year | English by Suraj Bhatt
The Kiss by Kate Chopin
MAIN CHARACTERS
The Kiss by Kate Chopin
There are four major characters here in this story.
☆ Mr. Brantain
☆ Nathalie (Nattie)
☆ Mr. Harvy
☆ Nathalie’s brother
ABOUT THE STORY & THE AUTHOR
The Kiss by Kate Chopin
The short story "The Kiss" was written by American writer Kate Chopin. This story was written on September 19, 1894. It initially appeared in Vogue magazine on January 17, 1895.
THEMES OF THE STORY
The Kiss by Kate Chopin
Here in this story, we find major themes such as the role of money over love, exploitation, and acceptance. These themes have been applied in the story to present the fact that one can’t always achieve two things at once.
USE OF LITERARY TECHNIQUES
The Kiss by Kate Chopin
Here in the story, we find the use of literary techniques by Kate Chopin. She has used a variety of techniques, such as imagery, irony, and simile, throughout the story, especially to highlight the major idea of the story.
SETTING ( TIME & PLACE )
The Kiss by Kate Chopin
The story has presented the two basic physical settings, such as:
Nathalie's home is an unspecified location where Nathalie and Brantain meet again.
☆ The location of Nathalie and Brantain’s wedding.
The social setting of the narrative looks at the condition of women during the 19th century and explores Nathalie’s character in light of the feminist movement. The story has been told by a third-person narrator, who has presented the perspectives of all three characters in turn.
MAIN SUMMARY
The Kiss by Kate Chopin
This short story, "The Kiss," is the story of a love triangle. It is about a young, beautiful girl called Nathalie (Nattie), who is scheming to marry a wealthy man, Brantain. However, she is having an affair with a person called Mr. Harvy.
In the story, we get a chance to get introduced to the major theme of the role of money over love at first. This theme has been presented through the main character's acts. Nathalie is quite a beautiful girl with her greedy nature. She tries her best to manipulate people to get whatever she wants. She is in a relationship with two different people. Among Mr.Brantain and Mr. Harvy, she is intending to marry Mr. Brantain. Although Mr. Brantain is not so good-looking, she is dating him because he is a wealthy man. Brantain's immense wealth has fascinated her greatly. She avoids a handsome man, Mr. Harvy, whom she loves because he doesn't have much wealth.
When the story begins, we find both Nathalie and Mr. Brantain sitting inside a dimly lit room with a smouldering (burning slowly) fire. Both of them sit there silently.
Inside the room, sitting in a shadow, Mr. Brantain seems to gather courage from the dark, staring at the pretty girl sitting by the flame. Nathalie periodically caresses her cat and looks at Brantain as they make small talk and avoid deep topics. She knows very well that Mr. Brantain loves her. She is just waiting for his proposal so that she can accept his love for her. She intends to accept his offer despite his unattractiveness, as he is extremely wealthy.
As Nathalie and Mr. Brantain are sitting in the darkroom speaking about going to a reception, Mr. Harvy enters the same room. Nathalie turns to Mr. Harvy immediately, and before she can warn him of Brantain's presence, he gives her a passionate kiss on the lips. Here, "The Darkroom" is a symbol of the relationship that Nathalie has with Mr. Harvy. Mr. Brantain gets shocked to see the action in front of his eyes. He rises immediately, as does the girl, and the second man (Mr. Harvy) reacts with confusion and amusement, as well as defiance (resistance). Nathalie tries to explain to Brantain about the kiss, saying, "Mr. Harvy is an intimate friend of long standing."
Mr. Brantain awkwardly bids them farewell. He doesn't notice that she has tried to shake his hand.
In the meantime, the other man apologises, but she rejects him and angrily asks why he did not ring the doorbell before entering. He answers that he arrived with her brother, who went upstairs while he tried to find her. He again asks her to forgive him. She expresses doubt that she will ever do so.
At the next reception, Nathalie tries to seek out Brantain, who is miserable but hopeful. She tells Brantain that the intruder, Mr. Harvy, is a close friend and that his physical familiarity results from their sibling-like attachment to each other. She mentions her worry over what Brantain must have thought about the particular encounter. But Brantain happily forgives her, to her satisfaction.
Later on, Harvey is among the guests at Nathalie and Brantain's wedding. Surprisingly, when he finds Nathalie standing alone, he turns and moves towards her. He tells her that her husband, Brantain, asks him to kiss her (Nathalie). Brantain doesn't want to interrupt Harvy and Nathalie's relationship. This particular idea again contributes to the happiness of Nathalie, who seems to have manipulated everyone. Nathalie, whose lips are eager to catch Mr. Harvy's kiss, is disappointed when Mr. Harvy tells her that he has stopped kissing women because it is dangerous to kiss women. From this statement, Nathalie learns a serious lesson: people can't have everything in this world. Nathalie may have the wealth of her husband, but she cannot achieve her desirable love for Mr. Harvy. Nathalie shows philosophically that at least she still has a wealthy Brantain and that she "can't have everything in this world."
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The Kiss by Kate Chopin
1. What is the connotation of "deep shadows" in the first paragraph?
Answer:
The "deep shadows" in the first paragraph carry a connotation of secrecy and hidden intentions, creating an atmosphere of mystery. This use of imagery sets the tone for the story, suggesting that not everything is transparent or straightforward in the characters' relationships.
2. Why does Brantain not mind sitting in the shadows?
Answer:
Brantain doesn't mind sitting in the shadows because the dimly lit room provides a setting where he can gather courage to express his feelings for Nathalie. The shadows symbolize a space where emotions can be concealed or revealed at a pace comfortable for him.
3. What is the tone of the story? How the tone supports the theme of the story?
Answer:
The tone of the story is subtly deceptive and manipulative. This tone aligns with the theme of the story, emphasizing the characters' actions driven by the role of money over genuine love. The narrative unfolds with a sense of intrigue, underscoring the complexities of relationships influenced by materialistic motives.
4. What is the relationship between Brantain and Nathalie?
Answer:
Brantain and Nathalie share a complicated relationship. Nathalie intends to marry Brantain for his wealth, while she is also involved with Mr. Harvy. The dynamics among these characters contribute to the story's exploration of themes such as love, wealth, and manipulation.
5. Is the title of the story appropriate?
Answer:
The title, "The Kiss," is fitting as it encapsulates a pivotal moment in the story. The kiss between Nathalie and Mr. Harvy serves as a catalyst for significant consequences, shaping the narrative and highlighting the complexities of the characters' relationships.
6. What type of woman is Nathalie? Do you suppose she will remain faithful to Brantain in the future?
Answer:
Nathalie is portrayed as a multifaceted character with a beautiful exterior but driven by greed. Her actions, manipulating people to achieve her desires and intending to marry for wealth rather than love, characterize her as a complex and morally ambiguous figure. No, I don't suppose she will remain faithful to Brantain in the future. The story suggests uncertainty regarding her faithfulness to Brantain.
7. Discuss the character of Nathalie.
Answer:
Nathalie's character is marked by her beauty, manipulation, and a willingness to use her charm for personal gain. Her decision to marry for wealth rather than love showcases a certain level of cunning. While the story does not definitively predict her future faithfulness, it implies potential consequences for her actions, leaving room for the exploration of her character's development.
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