Commentary to "Ripe figs" by Kate Chopin

At first I found this short piece of text a really tedious one. However, the more I read it, the more I understood it. It took me some time to appreciate this story. What I really enjoyed about the text was the gentle manner of writing. Nothing's obvious at the first read, altough given enough time, one is able to see clearly what Kate Chopin meant.

I consider this text a story about women relationship. It contrasts young Babette and her godmather - Maman-Nainaine. By watching those to characters in common-life situation we could notice their character features, on which author put her stress.

Babette holds attributes of youth, such as rush, impatience and anxiety. On the other hand, there's Maman-Nainaine in her elder years, who seems to be an experienced, stable and settled person. Author gives a general outlook of a characters by comparing them indirectly to certain plants. Babette is represented by a fig, which in some subterrainian cultures is considered a symbol of a woman. Woman in her early years, fertile and vigorous woman. However, Babette is more like the green ones, as she still needs time to grow up and understand certain things.

Chrysanthemums, which I reckon is meant to reflect Maman-Nainaine features. There's a vital piece of information about this flower. The last sentence suggests, that mums bloom at Touissant (which means all-saints day in french), which is in fall. This season is often reffered to in literature, as a methaphor of late life period. Not only the author makes us compare the characters to flowers, she also describes us the behaviour of two remarkable ladies. Babette is "as restless as humming bird", while Maman-Nainaine "as patient as statue of la Madone". It clarifies the general impression we get of the ladies, but there's more to it. In foutyh paragraph, Chopin compares Maman's cap to an aureole. In addition, next moment, Babette offers her a platter of figs, outcome of her hard work. Religious connations help us grip the idea of respect, young lady granted her greatest authority, her godmother.

As the text title is "ripe figs", I assume the author wannted to highlight the process of growing up, which Maman-Nainaine could've possibly forgotten and which Babette isn't aware that she's in the middle of. I consider this subject very interesting and rather dramatic. On one hand Babette, who wants to follow natural instincts and spread her wings, but is bound up with the person who taught her everything. On the other Maman-Nainaine, who wants to keep sweet moments of her life for as long as possible.

We shall understand, that's just the way, the nature is. Given that everything'll be fine :)