Biography

          Kate O'Flaherty Chopin (February 8, 1851 - August 22, 1904) was an American short-story writer and novelist who was the first person to write about women's lives in America in late 1800's. She frankly wrote about emotions of women towards their roles: wives and mothers. Because she often wrote about adultery committed by women who were confined by religious and social beliefs, Chopin was severely criticized by her contemporary readers and critics.

          The Awakening (1899), the most famous piece written by Chopin, vividly portrays a process of woman giving in to her desire for other men and committing adultery. Likewise, Chopin also wrote At Fault (1890), Bayou Folk (1894), "Désirée's Baby," "Madame Celestin's Divorce," and more than 100 other short stories in which she openly depicted marriage, divorce, sexual attitudes, and racial prejudice.