In the short story, Regret by Chopin the protagonist is the main character, Mamzelle Aurelie. The author uses both showing and telling to give the reader information about Mamzelle Aurelie. Within the first paragraph of the story the reader can quickly see that Mamzelle has never been married, shes tough and that she dresses like a man. Mamzelle Aurelie is portrayed as a woman with masculine traits. Her good strong figure, she wore a mans hat about the farm, and an old blue army overcoat when it was cold, and sometimes topboots. (259) This all contributed to her masculine image. Not only does she dress like a man but she also acts like one. She manages her own farm and keeps a gun with which she shot chicken hawks. (259) Mamzelle breaks with tradition by not marrying, dressing like a man and owning her own farm.
The conflict in this story comes when the neighbor, Oldie brings her four children to stay with Mamzelle Aurelie. Mamzelle Aurelie is now confronted with the unfamiliar task of caring for the children. At first Mamzelle Aurelie has no idea what to do with the children. Children demand attention and Mamzelle Aurelie is unfamiliar with that. The presence of the children have an extreme impact on Mamzell Aurelies life. The children awaken her maternal instincts. Mamzell Aurelie is compelled to unearth white aprons that she had not worn for years. (261) She also had to take down her sewing basket. She quickly learns that she needs to dress the children for bed, wash them up and tell Ti Nomme a bedtime story and also rock Elodie to sleep.
Surprisingly she begins to enjoy the childrens company. She becomes accustomed to the laughing, the crying, the chattering that echoed though the house and around it all day long as well as the moist kisses from the little boy, Ti Nomme.(261)
The contrasting symbols of the story show the changes that have occurred in Mamzell Aur'elie's life. The symbols of her masculine, independent life are replaced by symbols of her new female life. Aurelie was given a glimpse into the life that she chose to disregard. Even though she seemed content, this glimpse was enough to cause some doubt on that decision she made. It is shown that a great sense of regret consumes her.
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