Dearest Mademoiselle Mazurkie,

I hope this letter finds you well. I don’t know if you realize the utter blasphemy of Edna
Pontellier’s actions as of late, but I find them truly unacceptable. I knew I would word my
thoughts better if I wrote my feelings down, so I sent this letter to share my wise words.

When I first saw Edna Pontellier visiting Mademoiselle Reisz, I assumed she was using her
pianist abilities to soothe her music needs. She seemed well off with her husband, but I caught a
glimpse of Mademoiselle Reisz and Edna Pontellier with letters from the young man who goes
by the name Robert Lebrun. I know of this man and his departure to Mexico City, so how
surprised was I to see her with a different man than him the following night! Not only was she
intimate with Robert the summer before, but I witnessed the other man leave a lustful kiss on the
top of her hand last night! The utter disbelief I felt after witnessing such events was tremendous!

I hope Edna Pontellier recovers from this illness that has plagued her mind and brought great
distress to her husband. Be wary, Mademoiselle Mazurkie, because if this mischief continues and
Mademoiselle Reisz entertains Edna Pontellier’s imagination, I will be forced to reveal all of
these secrets to her husband! How worried he must be with her sly behavior, and the audacity
Mademoiselle Reisz has to allow her to see these letters she receives from Robert. Let the boy
move on with his life so Edna can return to her normal self, for heaven’s sake! She has gone
mad!

This type of illness is not easy to overcome with devils like Mademoiselle Reisz helping add to
her imagination! She needs to pull herself together and think properly. Edna’s health is partially
Mademoiselle Reisz’s responsibility, as well as the state of her marriage. I pray she does not
continue to feed into Edna’s desires or I will explain every part of this secret to Mr. Pontellier!

Please take care and know that you are always in my thoughts.

Yours truly,
Mademoiselle Presnell
“A Respectable Woman”
By: Kate Chopin
- Mrs. Baroda learns that her husband is expecting a friend (Gouvernail) to spend a week
or two with them on their plantation
- They had spent most of their winter in New Orleans, and Mrs. Baroda wanted to have
uninterrupted sleep (Gouvernail planned to stay a week or two)
- A man she had heard a lot about but never seen (her husband’s college friend, mow a
journalist - not a society man)
- She created a picture of him in her mind - tall, slim, cynical, eye-glasses, had his hands in
his pockets (she didn’t like this image of him)
- Gouvernail was slim, not as tall, didn’t wear glasses, his hands were not in his
pockets, and she liked him when he introduced himself
- She didn’t understand why she liked him - he had none of the promising traits her
husband (Gaston) had
- His manners were courteous
- He would smoke cigars listening to Gaston - he made friends with the dogs and didn’t
like to fish or hunt
- Gouvernail’s personality was puzzling, but he was a loveable inoffensive guy
- Mrs. Baroda left Gouvernail and Gaston, but upon his unchanged behavior, she decided
to join him on his walks
- Mrs. Baroda says she wishes Gouvernail was like others who annoy her/give her trouble
- Gaston tells Mrs. Baroda not to take Gouvernail seriously (making a commotion)
- Gaston had called him a clever man (full of ideas), but now said Gouvernail is
overworked, which is why Gaston had him rest at their plantation
- Mrs. Baroda planned to visit her aunt Octavie’s to have her spring gowns fitted
- Mrs. Baroda didn’t understand her thoughts and feelings - sitting outside
- Gouvernail sat by her and gave her a white scarf, saying it was from Gaston
- Gouvernail hummed, then talked intimately with Mrs. Baroda
- Mrs. Baroda was only paying attention to Gouvernail’s tone of voice, not his words
- Mrs. Baroda thought about touching Gouvernail, whispering to him - she might have is
she was not a respectable woman
- Mrs. Baroda left Gouvernail - she thought about telling her husband what had happened
(ended up keeping it to herself)
- Mrs. Baroda had left early in the morning and didn’t return till Gouvernail had left,
mention fo his return in the summer was opposed by Mrs. Baroda
- Later, Mrs. Baroda brought it up again on her own, saying he could visit, which delighted
Gaston - Mrs. Baroda said she’s be very nice to him this time