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Literature 2021 American Literature II

Katherine-Grace Powell

Prof. Waites

21 February 2020

Critical Analysis Essay

The Powerful Influence of Society on Personal and Social values.

Individuals often face difficulty when they are in conflict with societal beliefs. They are

subjected to criticism when they do not conform to social norms. Kate Chopin, a universally

recognized writer in modern American Literature, explores matters regarding discrimination in

her story, “At the Cadian Ball”. With the use of various literary fiction such as the development

of characters, plot, and setting, she is able to introduce emotions to her readers that society often

neglected or ridiculed. Society plays a major role in supporting stereotypes on race, social class,

and gender that reinforces discrimination. These discriminations result in the development of

specific social and economic classes. The story demonstrates how individuals’ decisions are

guided by social divisions and expectations, rather than their true desires, which reinforce

stereotypes and the social hierarchy.

Chopin’s “At the Cadian Ball” clearly expresses the discrimination and oppression of people

based on their racial background. These discriminations are as a result of the rules and

regulations set within society. The portrayal of Calixta and Bruce in the story exemplifies the

struggles that individuals face in regard to their racial or ethnic background. The story mentions

that the Acadians often blame Calixta’s poor behavior on the Spanish blood in her, which she

inherits from her Cuban mother. This is evident in statements like “c’est Espagnol, ça” (“That’s a
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Spaniard for you”) and “bon chien tient de race” (“Just like her mother”) (449). The characters

in the story perceive her conduct to be the product of ethnicity. Bruce is Alcee’s negro servant

and he treats him as such. Being of African American descent, he is placed on the lowest

socioeconomic level. Alcee says to Bruce, ‘“And if you come back here with any more talk, I’ll

have to break your neck’” (453). The way he responds to Bruce signifies that Alcee holds power

over him. This exemplifies the social class stigma placed upon race. The manner in which Alcee

and Clarisse speak to Bruce, provides evidence that the Creoles have no respect for individuals

who they feel are inferior to them. Both Calixta and Bruce are portrayed as being deserving of a

poor and lower-class lifestyle because of their race.

This story exhibits similarities amid two young couples who are very different from one

another. These similarities are conveyed by the struggles they both face in living up to societal

standards. The class distinction between the Creoles and Acadians is clearly evident throughout

the story. Creoles, such as the Laballières family, are considered wealthy and everyone is aware

of the impact it has on their high position in the socioeconomic class system Alcee is seen as

superior among the Acadians as seen with this description: “Alcée Laballière’s presence at the

ball caused a flutter even among the men” (452). The Acadian men and women alike admire and

gossip about him. They would not expect someone who holds such a high-class distinction to

attend their ball. This is because they have high regards for them and somewhat place them on a

pedestal. Calixta, on the other hand, though considered quite appealing based on her physical

attributes, is proven unideal because she is lower class. The class distinction system in the 19th

century plays a major role in the perceptions of individuals living within this period. Each

character in the story is expected to act in accordance to their role and status. People are facing a

conflict between their wants and needs, and that of which society tells them they deserve.
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Calixta, who was clearly in love with Alcee, chooses to marry Bobinot because of the stigma

placed upon marriage and social class. Calixta says to Bobinot, “You been sayin’ all along you

want to marry me, Bobinot. Well, if you want, yet, I don’ care, me” (454). This proves that

Calixta now falls victim to societal norms and is dependent upon society for validation. Though

Bobinot loves Calixta, she does not fully return the love. Her choice in choosing Bobinot over

Alcee demonstrates her fear of breaking the status, receiving judgement, and her desire for

community acceptance. She marries Bobinot because he belongs to the same socioeconomic

class as her and at that time, society teaches that this is the right and only way.

“At the Acadian Ball” uses Calixta’s character to show the extensive pressure placed on

women to conform to societal norms if she wants to be accepted. As expressed by Chopin,

women of the 19th century are expected to act in a decorum that exemplifies proper and polite

behavior. However, Calixta’s behavior throughout the poem is represented rather poorly and she

is forced to endure discrimination from the Acadians because she refuses to conform to these

standards. Chopin proves this point by stating "Madame Suzanne, sitting in a corner, whispered

to her neighbor that if Ozéina were to conduct herself in a like manner, she should immediately

be taken out to the mule-cart and driven home. The women did not always approve of Calixta"

(452). They often gossiped about their disapproval for the manner in which she conducted

herself. In a culture that values modesty for women, her lack of verbal and physical restraint is

rather far-off from traditional ideals. These descriptions show that her actions are deemed

inappropriate to the role women play in her society.

In conclusion, this essay provides a critical analysis of Kate Chopin’s story “At the Cadian

Ball” in relation to socioeconomic caste discrimination. Society plays a major role in supporting

stereotypes on race, social class, and gender that reinforce discrimination. In regard to
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discrimination, the essay demonstrates its effects on individual perception and behavior. The

existential conflict between the conformance of man to society often leads to a disruption in

one’s identity. This is a result of the struggles people face to fit in and the interference of society

in disregarding their true desires and happiness.

WORK CITED

Chopin, Kate. “The ‘Cadian Ball.” The Norton Anthology American Literature, edited by Robert

Levine, W.W. Norton & Company, 2017, pp. 448-455.