# A Matter of Prejudice explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Kate Chopin.

## What happens

Old Madame Carambeau, a woman of many prejudices, is disturbed during her grandson's birthday party when a little girl runs into her lap. Despite her annoyance, she notices the child is feverish and nurses her tenderly. The child, who speaks only English, falls asleep in her arms. Later, Madame Carambeau begins to question her prejudices, and on Christmas morning, she insists on attending an American church and then visits her estranged son Henri, whom she had not spoken to in ten years because he married an American. There, she discovers the little girl she nursed is her own granddaughter, leading to a family reconciliation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cultural and Historical Context

The story explores the deep-seated prejudices of French Creoles against Americans, Germans, and other groups, set against the backdrop of New Orleans' multicultural society.

### Sacrifice and Redemption

Madame Carambeau's journey from prejudice to acceptance represents a personal redemption, as she overcomes her biases to reunite with her son and embrace her granddaughter.

### Love and Marriage

The family rift caused by Henri's marriage to an American woman underscores the theme of love challenging social and cultural barriers.

## Character check-ins

### Madame Carambeau

The central character, a prejudiced old Creole woman who undergoes a transformation after nursing a feverish child.

### Madame Cécile Lalonde

Madame Carambeau's widowed daughter, who hosts the birthday party and later accompanies her mother to the American church and Henri's house.

### Armand Aubigny

Not present in this chapter.

## Key lines

> Madame Carambeau wanted it strictly understood that she was not to be disturbed by Gustave's birthday party.

Madame Carambeau made it clear she did not want to be bothered during her grandson Gustave's birthday celebration.

_Establishes Madame Carambeau's desire for isolation and her initial resistance to family festivities._

> She had not spoken to her son Henri for ten years because he had married an American girl from Prytania street.

For a decade, Madame Carambeau had refused to communicate with her son Henri after he wed an American woman from Prytania Street.

_Highlights the deep cultural prejudice that caused a long-term family estrangement._

> What a lucky chance was that fever! What a happy accident!

What a fortunate coincidence that the fever brought them together!

_Madame Lalonde's exclamation underscores the ironic role of the child's illness in reuniting the family._

> Her grandmother will teach her French; and she will teach her grandmother English. You see, I have no prejudices. I am not like my son.

The grandmother will teach the child French, and the child will teach her grandmother English. I have no prejudices, unlike my son.

_Madame Carambeau's ironic statement reveals her transformed attitude and willingness to bridge cultural gaps._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/a-matter-of-prejudice
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters