# Azélie explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Kate Chopin.

## What happens

Azélie, a young girl from a poor family, repeatedly visits the plantation store run by Mr. 'Polyte, asking for provisions. 'Polyte, initially annoyed, becomes infatuated with her, offering her gifts and eventually proposing marriage. Azélie refuses, insisting on returning to Little River with her father. After she leaves, 'Polyte is devastated and decides to quit his job to follow her. The chapter also reveals that Azélie attempted to steal from the store, but 'Polyte catches her and is shocked.

## Themes in this chapter

### Desire and Temptation

'Polyte's growing infatuation with Azélie leads him to give her gifts and propose marriage, while Azélie's attempted theft shows her temptation to take what she feels is denied to her.

### Social Class and Identity

The contrast between the planter Mr. Mathurin and the poor 'Cadian family highlights class divisions, with Azélie's family struggling for basic necessities.

## Character check-ins

### Azélie

A young girl from a poor family who repeatedly asks for provisions at the store. She refuses 'Polyte's marriage proposal and later attempts to steal from the store.

### Mr. 'Polyte

The storekeeper who becomes infatuated with Azélie, offers her gifts, and proposes marriage. After she leaves, he decides to quit his job and follow her to Little River.

### Arsène Pauché

Azélie's father, who takes the family back to Little River in a wagon.

## Key lines

> love you!” he stammered helplessly over and over in her face. “You mus’ los’ yo’ head,” she told him, red from the effort of the struggle, when he released her. “You right, Azélie; I b’lieve I los’ my head,” and he climbed up the bank of the bayou as fast as he could.

'Polyte repeatedly declares his love for Azélie, but she dismisses him, saying he must have lost his head. He agrees and quickly retreats.

_Shows 'Polyte's infatuation and Azélie's indifference._

> “Ah, b’en , no. I ain’t goin’ to stay yere wid you, Mr. ’Polyte; I’m goin’ yonda on Li’le river wid my popa.”

Azélie refuses 'Polyte's marriage proposal, stating she will return to Little River with her father.

_Highlights Azélie's loyalty to her family and rejection of 'Polyte's offer._

> “I reckon I jus’ as well go yonda on Li’le river⁠—w’ere Azélie,” he said.

'Polyte tells Mr. Mathurin he will quit his job and go to Little River to be with Azélie.

_Shows 'Polyte's desperation and determination to follow Azélie._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/az-lie
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters