“Caline” by Kate Chopin: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Caline” by Kate Chopin

“Caline” by Kate Chopin on December 2, 1892, was first published in Vogue magazine on May 20, 1893, and later found a place in her 1897 collection, A Night in Acadie. This poignant short story delves into the complexities of race, class, and gender in Creole Louisiana. Through the character of Caline, a mixed-race woman grappling with societal constraints and personal aspirations, Chopin crafts a narrative marked by nuanced character development, evocative descriptions, and a subtle critique of social norms. The story’s unresolved conclusion prompts readers to ponder Caline’s ultimate path and the broader ramifications of her choices.

Main Events in “Caline” by Kate Chopin

1. Caline’s Awakening: Caline, a young girl, is awakened by the sudden stopping of a passenger train near her home in a field.
2. Encounter with Passengers: Caline meets passengers from the train, including a pleasant-faced youngster who draws her picture, and tries to communicate with her in a language she doesn’t understand.
3. New Interest in Trains: Caline becomes fascinated with the trains and wonders about the people who travel on them, and where they come from and go to.
4. Seeking Answers: Caline asks her parents about the trains, but they can only tell her that the people come from “loin là bas” (far away) and are going “Dieu sait où” (God knows where).
5. Meeting the Flagman: Caline meets the old flagman who works by the big water tank and asks him about the trains and the people who travel on them.
6. Learning about the City: The flagman tells Caline about the city, describing it as a grand place, and offers to help her find work there with his sister.
7. Decision to Leave: Caline decides to leave her home and travel to the city to work for the flagman’s sister, hoping to find new experiences and opportunities.
8. City Life: Caline experiences city life, working and exploring the city, marveling at the tall masts of ships and the hum of the French market.
9. Disillusionment: Caline becomes disillusioned with city life, realizing she was seeking the pleasant-faced boy who drew her picture, not the city itself.
10. Longing for the Past: Caline begins to feel homesick and longs for her old life, sitting behind the big yellow cistern to cry unobserved.

Literary Devices in “Caline” by Kate Chopin

1. Setting: The story begins in a rural area near a railroad track in Louisiana. The setting is significant as it contrasts Caline’s simple life with the allure of the outside world.

• Example: “The log cabin in which she dwelt with her parents was just outside the enclosure in which she had been sleeping.”

2. Characterization: Chopin develops Caline’s character through her actions, thoughts, and interactions with others.

• Example: “She yawned and stretched her long brown legs and arms, lazily.” This shows Caline’s relaxed and carefree nature at the beginning of the story.

3. Symbolism: The train symbolizes progress, opportunity, and the unknown. It represents a path to a different life for Caline.

• Example: “It was that sudden stopping which had awakened her; for such a thing had not happened before within her recollection, and she looked stupid, at first, with astonishment.”

4. Foreshadowing: The flagman’s promise of a better life in the city foreshadows Caline’s eventual disillusionment.

• Example: “And he thought Caline might earn as much as five dollars a month, in the city.”

5. Irony: The ending is ironic as Caline discovers that her longing for the city was actually a longing for the boy who sketched her.

• Example: “For she knew now that it was not the great city and its crowds of people she had so eagerly sought; but the pleasant-faced boy, who had made her picture that day under the mulberry tree.”

6. Imagery: Chopin uses vivid imagery to describe the settings and characters.

• Example: “They twirled parasols over their shoulders, and laughed immoderately at the funny things which their masculine companions were saying.”

7. Point of View: The story is told from a third-person omniscient point of view, allowing the reader insight into Caline’s thoughts and feelings.

• Example: “Caline could not feel the same after that.”

8. Theme: The central theme is the conflict between desire and reality. Caline’s dreams of a better life are not fulfilled as she expected.

• Example: The entire story explores this theme as Caline’s expectations clash with her experiences in the city.

9. Dialect: Chopin uses dialect to portray the speech patterns of the characters, adding authenticity to the story.

• Example: “Her mother and father could not tell her, except to say that they came from ‘loin là bas,’ and were going ‘Djieu sait é où.'”

10. Allusion: The mention of the Texas and Pacific Railroad is a historical allusion, grounding the story in a specific time and place.

• Example: “and in which glittered the steel rails of the Texas and Pacific road.”

11. Plot: The story follows a linear plot structure with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

• Example: The story starts with Caline’s life in the country, follows her journey to the city, and ends with her realization of her true desire.

12. Conflict: The main conflict is internal as Caline struggles with her desires and expectations.

• Example: Caline’s tears behind the cistern show her internal conflict and disappointment.

13. Motif: The motif of trains and travel recurs throughout the story, representing Caline’s journey and her changing desires.

• Example: The opening scene with the train sets the stage for Caline’s fascination with travel.

14. Tone: The tone shifts from idyllic and hopeful at the beginning to melancholic and disillusioned at the end.

• Example: The descriptions of the city become less appealing as Caline’s disillusionment grows.

15. Mood: The mood is initially curious and expectant but later turns to sadness and disappointment.

• Example: The scene where Caline cries behind the cistern creates a mood of sadness.

16. Simile: Chopin uses similes to create vivid comparisons.

• Example: “Something awoke her as suddenly as if it had been a blow.”

17. Metaphor: The city is a metaphor for Caline’s hopes and dreams.

• Example: Caline’s experiences in the city reflect her journey of self-discovery.

18. Personification: Inanimate objects are given human qualities.

• Example: “The engine screeched, it sent a few lazy puffs into the still air.”

19. Hyperbole: Exaggeration is used for emphasis.

• Example: “There seemed to be hundreds like it along the street.”

20. Juxtaposition: Contrasting elements are placed side by side.

• Example: The contrast between Caline’s rural life and the urban setting of the city.

Characterization in “Caline” by Kate Chopin

Major Characters:

• Caline:
  • Appearance: Described as having long brown legs and arms, black hair, and wearing a red bodice and a blue skirt.
  • Personality: Initially portrayed as naive and curious, drawn to the allure of the city and the unknown. She is also shown to be somewhat impressionable, easily swayed by the flagman’s promise of a better life. Later, she becomes disillusioned and longs for the boy who sketched her.
  • Motivations: Driven by a desire for a better life and the romantic notion of finding love.
  • Relationships: Lives with her parents in a log cabin. Interacts briefly with the passengers from the train and later works for the flagman’s sister in the city.
  • Development: Undergoes a significant change in perspective as she realizes her true desires lie not in the city but in her connection with the boy she met.

Minor Characters:

• Caline’s Parents:
  • Appearance: Not described in detail.
  • Personality: Appear to be simple and content with their rural life.
  • Motivations: Primarily focused on their daily work and survival.
  • Relationships: Provide for Caline and seem to have a close relationship with her.
  • Development: Remain static characters, representing the traditional way of life that Caline seeks to escape.
• The Flagman:
  • Appearance: Not described in detail.
  • Personality: Described as old and knowledgeable about the city.
  • Motivations: Seemingly wants to help Caline find a better life in the city.
  • Relationships: Facilitates Caline’s move to the city by sending a letter to his sister.
  • Development: Serves as a catalyst for Caline’s journey but does not undergo any significant change himself.
• The Flagman’s Sister:
  • Appearance: Not described in detail.
  • Personality: Described as a kind and gentle task-mistress.
  • Motivations: Employs Caline and provides her with a home in the city.
  • Relationships: Employs Caline and seems to care for her well-being.
  • Development: Remains a static character, providing a glimpse into the realities of city life for Caline.
• The Passengers:
  • Appearance: Described as wearing fancy clothes and high-heeled boots.
  • Personality: Portrayed as frivolous and somewhat condescending towards Caline.
  • Motivations: Seem to be on a leisure trip and view Caline as an exotic curiosity.
  • Relationships: Briefly interact with Caline and leave a lasting impression on her.
  • Development: Serve as a symbol of the outside world that Caline is initially drawn to.
• The Boy with the Sketchbook:
  • Appearance: Described as having a pleasant face.
  • Personality: Not much is revealed about his personality.
  • Motivations: Interested in sketching Caline.
  • Relationships: Has a brief but significant encounter with Caline.
  • Development: His action of sketching Caline becomes a turning point in her life, sparking her desire for a different life.

Major Themes in “Caline” by Kate Chopin

Example	Description
“She was not so sure” (about liking city life)	Caline’s growing uncertainty about her decision to leave home.
“She turned away, and went to sit behind the big, yellow cistern, to cry unobserved.”	Caline’s emotional response to her disillusionment with city life.

Theme 3: The Power of Human Connection

The story highlights the importance of human connection, as Caline’s encounter with the pleasant-faced boy who draws her picture has a lasting impact on her. She realizes that it was the boy, not the city, that she was seeking, and this realization underscores the significance of personal relationships in our lives.

Example	Description
“The pleasant-faced youngster…began to make a picture of the girl.”	The boy’s artistic gesture, which creates a connection with Caline.
“She knew now that it was not the great city…but the pleasant-faced boy”	Caline’s realization about what she was truly seeking.

Theme 4: The Tension between Tradition and Progress

Finally, the story touches on the theme of the tension between tradition and progress, as Caline’s decision to leave her rural home and seek out a new life in the city represents a departure from traditional ways of living. The story suggests that this tension is a natural part of growth and change.

Example	Description
“She had slept long and soundly…in the shade of a haystack”	Caline’s peaceful, traditional way of life.
“She went to the city…to work for the flagman’s sister”	Caline’s decision to leave home and seek out a new life.

Writing Style in “Caline” by Kate Chopin

• Realism: Chopin portrays the characters and their lives in a realistic manner, avoiding romanticization or idealization.
• Example: The description of Caline’s family’s log cabin and their simple lifestyle reflects the realities of rural life in Louisiana.
• Concise and Direct Prose: Chopin uses clear and straightforward language, avoiding unnecessary embellishments.
• Example: “The sun was just far enough in the west to send inviting shadows.”
• Vivid Imagery: Chopin employs sensory details to create vivid images in the reader’s mind.
• Example: “In the centre of a small field, and in the shade of a haystack which was there, a girl lay sleeping.”
• Dialect: Chopin incorporates the dialect of the characters to add authenticity to their speech and reflect their social background.
• Example: “Her mother and father could not tell her, except to say that they came from ‘loin là bas,’ and were going ‘Djieu sait é où.'”
• Third-Person Omniscient Narrator: The narrator has access to the thoughts and feelings of all characters, providing a comprehensive view of the story.
• Example: “Caline could not feel the same after that.”
• Focus on Internal Conflict: Chopin emphasizes Caline’s internal struggles and desires rather than external events.
• Example: The story delves into Caline’s changing feelings towards the city and her longing for the boy who sketched her.
• Open Ending: The story ends ambiguously, leaving the reader to ponder Caline’s future and the implications of her choices.
• Example: The story ends with Caline’s realization of her true desire, but her future actions are left to the reader’s imagination.
• Social Commentary: Chopin subtly critiques societal norms and expectations through Caline’s experiences.
• Example: The contrast between Caline’s simple life and the superficiality of the city dwellers highlights the societal divide and the allure of a different lifestyle.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “Caline” by Kate Chopin

Literary Theory	Interpretation	Examples from the Story
Feminist Theory	Examines the text through the lens of gender, exploring how it reflects or challenges societal expectations and constraints placed on women.	In “Caline,” Chopin illuminates the limited agency of women in the late 19th century. Caline’s choices are restricted by her socio-economic status and gender, leaving her yearning for a better life but with few avenues to achieve it. The male gaze is also evident in the passengers’ objectification of Caline, reducing her to a picturesque subject for their sketches.
Postcolonial Theory	Analyzes the text within the context of colonialism and its aftermath, focusing on issues of power, identity, and cultural hybridity.	Set in post-Civil War Louisiana, the story subtly reflects the lingering effects of French and Spanish colonialism. Caline’s mixed-race heritage symbolizes the cultural mixing that occurred in the region, while the interaction between Caline and the Northern passengers hints at the continuing power dynamics between different social groups.
Psychological Criticism	Delves into the inner workings of characters’ minds, exploring their motivations, desires, and the psychological impact of their experiences.	Caline’s journey from the countryside to the city mirrors a psychological quest for self-discovery. Her initial infatuation with the city and its inhabitants gives way to disillusionment, revealing her underlying desire for connection and recognition, symbolized by her longing for the boy who sketched her.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “Caline” by Kate Chopin

Topic	Question	Thesis Statement
Gender Roles and Expectations	How does the story challenge traditional gender roles?	In “Caline,” Kate Chopin subverts traditional gender roles by portraying Caline as a strong, independent woman who defies societal expectations through her actions and decisions.
Symbolism of the Lighthouse	What does the lighthouse symbolize in the story?	The lighthouse in “Caline” serves as a symbol of guidance and enlightenment, representing Caline’s journey towards self-discovery and liberation from societal constraints.
Social Class and Economic Struggle	How does economic struggle impact the characters?	Chopin illustrates the impact of economic struggle on characters in “Caline,” highlighting the disparities between social classes and the challenges faced by individuals striving for upward mobility.
Freedom and Self-Realization	How does Caline’s journey reflect themes of freedom?	Through Caline’s journey of self-realization and liberation, Chopin explores the theme of freedom in “Caline,” illustrating the transformative power of individual agency in breaking societal constraints.

Short Questions/Answers about/on “Caline” by Kate Chopin

• Q: What is Caline’s motivation for leaving her rural home?
• A: Caline is motivated to leave her rural home because of her fascination with the trains and the people who travel on them. She is drawn to the idea of far-off places and new experiences, and this curiosity drives her to seek out a new life in the city. For example, when the train stops near her home, she is “awakened as suddenly as if it had been a blow” and she “wondered whence these people came, and whither they were going.”
• Q: How does Caline’s perception of city life change over time?
• A: Caline’s perception of city life changes from one of excitement and wonder to one of disillusionment and disappointment. At first, she is thrilled by the sights and sounds of the city, but as time goes on, she begins to feel disconnected and homesick. For example, after initially enjoying her new life, she “was not so sure” about liking city life, and eventually realizes that “it was not the great city…but the pleasant-faced boy” that she was truly seeking.
• Q: What is the significance of the pleasant-faced boy in the story?
• A: The pleasant-faced boy represents a connection to Caline’s past and a sense of human connection that she lacks in the city. His artistic gesture of drawing her picture creates a lasting impact on her, and she eventually realizes that it was him, not the city, that she was seeking. This highlights the importance of personal relationships in our lives.
• Q: What is the symbolic significance of the trains in the story?
• A: The trains in the story symbolize change, progress, and the unknown. They represent a departure from traditional ways of living and a move towards new experiences and opportunities. Caline’s fascination with the trains and her decision to follow them to the city represent her desire for growth and change, but also ultimately lead to her disillusionment and realization that some things are lost in the process of progress.

Literary Works Similar to “Caline” by Kate Chopin

1. “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin: This story also explores themes of female independence and freedom from societal constraints, albeit in a different context.
2. “A Pair of Silk Stockings” by Kate Chopin: Like “Caline,” this story by Chopin delves into the inner struggles and desires of its female protagonist, focusing on themes of self-indulgence and personal fulfillment.
3. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman: This iconic short story addresses issues of women’s mental health and confinement, echoing some of the themes of repression and liberation found in “Caline.”
4. “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin: Although a novella rather than a short story, “The Awakening” shares many thematic elements with “Caline,” particularly in its exploration of female agency and societal expectations in the late 19th century.
5. “Roman Fever” by Edith Wharton: This short story by Wharton examines the complexities of female relationships and societal expectations, much like the way “Caline” explores the dynamics between women and their roles in society.

Suggested Readings about/on “Caline” by Kate Chopin

  Books:

• Toth, Emily. Unveiling Kate Chopin. University Press of Mississippi, 1999.
• Dyer, Joyce. The Awakening: A Novel of Beginnings. Twayne Publishers, 1993.
• Beer, Janet. Kate Chopin, Edith Wharton, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman: Studies in Short Fiction. Macmillan, 1995.

  Articles:

• VanKooten, Crystal. “Writing against convention: Kate Chopin’s short fiction in Vogue, 1893-1900.” (2004).
• Methvin, Nancy W. Kate Chopin’s fiction: a twentieth-century critical reappraisal. Diss. 2012.

  Weblinks:

• Kate Chopin International Society: https://www.katechopin.org/
• The Kate Chopin Project: https://shortstoryproject.com/writers/kate-chopin/
• “Caline” by Kate Chopin: https://www.katechopin.org/story-hour/

Representative Quotations from “Caline” by Kate Chopin

Quote	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“The sun was just far enough in the west to send inviting shadows.”	Description of the setting	Imagery and Symbolism: The sun and shadows create a peaceful atmosphere, symbolizing Caline’s current life.
“She had slept long and soundly, when something awoke her as suddenly as if it had been a blow.”	Caline wakes up to the stopped train	Freudian Psychoanalysis: The sudden awakening represents the disruption of Caline’s unconscious desires and her desire for change.
“There seemed to be something wrong with the engine; and some of the passengers…went forward to investigate the trouble.”	The train stops abruptly	Marxist Criticism: The train’s malfunction represents the breakdown of societal structures and the need for change.
“One of the men – a pleasant-faced youngster – drew a sketch book from his pocket and began to make a picture of the girl.”	The boy draws Caline’s picture	Feminist Criticism: The boy’s artistic gesture objectifies Caline, but also creates a connection between them.
“Caline could not feel the same after that.”	Caline’s perspective changes after the encounter	Existentialism: Caline’s experience with the train and the boy forces her to confront her own desires and identity.
“She looked with new and strange interest upon the trains of cars that passed so swiftly back and forth across her vision, each day;”	Caline becomes fascinated with the trains	Imagery and Symbolism: The trains represent change, progress, and the unknown, drawing Caline in.
“His sister lived there now; and she would be glad enough to have so fine a girl as Caline to help her cook and scrub, and tend the babies.”	The flagman’s sister offers Caline work	Marxist Criticism: The offer represents the exploitation of Caline’s labor, but also a chance for independence.
“The woman lived in a tiny, stuccoed house, with green blinds, and three wooden steps leading down to the banquette.”	Description of the city dwelling	Imagery and Symbolism: The small house represents the confinement and anonymity of city life.
“Caline was at first bewildered. She had to readjust all her preconceptions to fit the reality of it.”	Caline’s initial experience in the city	Existentialism: Caline must confront the disparity between her expectations and reality.
“For she knew now that it was not the great city and its crowds of people she had so eagerly sought; but the pleasant-faced boy, who had made her picture that day under the mulberry tree.”	Caline’s realization about her desires	Feminist Criticism: Caline recognizes her desire for human connection and love, rather than just the city itself.