Analyzing Kate Chopin's 'The Locket'

Allison Hiers
Mr. Ellis
English 1101
November 23, 2014
Analysis of “The Locket”: Kate Chopin
Kate Chopin was born on February 8, 1851, in St. Louis, Missouri, in to a socially prominent family with roots in French past. In 1855, her father died in a train wreck; thereafter Kate lived in a house of many widows- her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother (Wyatt). Kate spent the Civil War in St. Louis, a city where residents supported both the Union and the Confederacy and where her family had slaves in the house. Her half brother enlisted in the Confederate army, and was captured by Union forces, and died of typhoid fever ("Biography”). This is what most likely led her to write The Locket. Kate Chopin’s “The Locket” is one of her more disheartening
It seems she is trying to bring another view from an outside perspective. Regardless of which side wins the war the birds life will still be the same. Perhaps she is referring to herself. She didn’t care which side won during the civil war because her life would not have a significant change. She just wanted the war to end so all of the destruction and death would end. This perspective might also be a reflection of Edmond and Octavie’s feelings. Edmond most likely did not want to leave the women he loved to face a chance of
Chopin portrays this when she leads us to consider that Edmond is dead and when Octavie goes into mourning. Edmond, Octavie, and the thief who stole the locket are all very young and in the prime of life. Edmond and Octavie are separated because of the war and the young thief is killed in battle. War causes the young confront death, while the older men in the story, such as the priest and Judge Pillar, preserve life. Whether it is by praying for people’s souls or by trying to revive life in the young, as does the judge for Octavie. Chopin indicated that the war almost succeeded in taking away their youth, but she concludes by suggesting that Edmonds return from the war is capable of renewing their lives. In The Locket, Chopin showed us how one significant tragedy can affect people’s lives. She gave us the insight into the trauma of the Civil War not only for the soldiers, but for women who remained at home. Though her writing career began more than two decades after the Civil War ended, her writing was greatly influenced by the aftermath of the war ( MacLean). She was the first woman writer in her country to accept passion as a genuine subject for serious, outspoken fiction. She revolted against belief and authority. Which was not common for a women in her time