Breaking the Mold: The Unconventional Works of Kate Chopin

Course Leader(s)
Day of Week: Tuesday
Course Length: 5 weeks
Starting: 09/12/2023
Ending: 10/10/2023
Period of Day: Period 2 In-Person
Time: 11:30 - 1:00
Course Fee: $50

Course Description:

In this five- week course, we will delve into the feminist world of Kate Chopin (1851-1904), a woman who defied conventions in both her personal life and in her writings to tell women’s stories. A product of the Midwest and the Creole life of Louisiana, Chopin championed women’s independence from the expectations of 19th century America, celebrating women who take action to control their future. Many consider her an early feminist. We will read numerous short stories and her seminal work, The Awakening. The class will have some lectures but will primarily be discussion.  Students must be able to open pdf files on their computers. Weekly assignments should take about 1-1/2 hours.

Books and Other Resources:

The Awakening and Selected Stories of Kate Chopin, ed. Barbara H. Solomon, Signet Classics 1976 (available on Amazon).

Course Leader Bio(s)

Maryann Wyner

I began my adult life as a teacher, and after starting a family and managing a craft store, I returned to the field of education, teaching high school English and History and in my later working years a tutor and a middle school library assistant. I hold a Bachelor’s degree from Clark University and a Masters in English from Simmons college. My last teaching position was at Chapel Hill – Chauncy Hall in Waltham, MA.  Upon retirement in 2014, I found LLAIC, and here I got to teach and learn at the same time . . .and not grade papers or ask anyone to remove his hoodie! I have taught several courses, including Somerset Maugham’s short stories, Harper Lee’s Mockingbird and Watchman, Young Adult Literature, the Great Migration in America, and Mark Twain. I have also been involved in high school theater productions and the Lilac Players.