# A Gentleman of Bayou Têche explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Kate Chopin.

## What happens

Mr. Sublet, an artist staying at the Hallet plantation, wants to paint Evariste, a 'Cadian man, for a magazine. Evariste and his daughter Martinette are initially pleased, but Aunt Dicey warns them that the picture might be captioned as a 'low-down 'Cajun.' Martinette returns the payment to Mr. Sublet in protest. Later, Evariste rescues Mr. Sublet's son from drowning, and the grateful artist offers to call the painting 'A hero of Bayou Têche.' Evariste insists on a different title: 'Mista Evariste Anatole Bonamour, a gent'man of de Bayou Têche.'

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Identity

Evariste and Martinette's concern about being labeled 'low-down 'Cajuns' highlights the struggle for dignity and respect in a class-conscious society.

### Sacrifice and Redemption

Evariste's heroic rescue of the child redeems his reputation and allows him to assert his identity as a gentleman.

## Character check-ins

### Evariste

A 'Cadian man who rescues Mr. Sublet's son and insists on being called a gentleman in his portrait.

### Martinette

Evariste's daughter who returns the artist's payment after fearing her father will be mocked.

### Aunt Pinky

Referred to as Aunt Dicey, she warns Martinette about the potential insult in the magazine caption.

## Key lines

> He tell’ me he want’ put my picture in one fine ‘ Mag ’zine,’ ” said Evariste to his daughter, Martinette, when the two were talking the matter over in the afternoon.

Evariste tells Martinette that the artist wants to put his picture in a magazine.

_Evariste shares the artist's proposal with his daughter._

> “Dey gwine sot down on’neaf: ‘Dis heah is one dem low-down ’Cajuns o’ Bayeh Têche!’ ”

Aunt Dicey predicts the caption will call Evariste a low-down Cajun.

_Aunt Dicey warns Martinette of the potential insult._

> “My popa ent one low-down ’Cajun. He ent goin’ to stan’ to have that kine o’ writin’ put down un’neath his picture!”

Martinette declares that her father is not a low-down Cajun and will not allow such a caption.

_Martinette defends her father's honor._

> “You will put on’neat’ de picture,” he said, deliberately, “ ‘Dis is one picture of Mista Evariste Anatole Bonamour, a gent’man of de Bayou Têche.’ ”

Evariste insists the caption should read: 'This is a picture of Mr. Evariste Anatole Bonamour, a gentleman of Bayou Têche.'

_Evariste asserts his identity as a gentleman._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/a-gentleman-of-bayou-t-che
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters