# Old Aunt Peggy explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Kate Chopin.

## What happens

After the Civil War, Aunt Peggy, an elderly formerly enslaved woman, pledges to stay with her former master and mistress, who provide her with a cabin and a rocking chair. She periodically visits the house to say what she claims is her final goodbye, receiving gifts each time, and has continued this routine for many years, claiming to be 125 years old.

## Themes in this chapter

### Freedom and Confinement

Aunt Peggy chooses to remain on the plantation, blurring the line between freedom and continued servitude, as she lives in a cabin provided by her former masters and relies on their charity.

### Sacrifice and Redemption

Aunt Peggy's loyalty and fidelity are met with material support from Monsieur and Madame, suggesting a form of redemption or moral obligation on their part.

## Character check-ins

### Old Aunt Tildy

Aunt Peggy, an elderly formerly enslaved woman, remains on the plantation after the war, living in a cabin provided by Monsieur and Madame.

## Key lines

> Massa, I ain’t never gwine to quit yer. I’m gittin’ ole an’ feeble, an’ my days is few in dis heah lan’ o’ sorrow an’ sin. All I axes is a li’le co’ner whar I kin set down an’ wait peaceful fu de en’.

Aunt Peggy tells her former master that she will never leave him, asking only for a small place to rest and wait for death.

_Aunt Peggy declares her intention to stay on the plantation for the remainder of her life._

> Mist’ess, I’s come to take a las’ look at you all. Le’ me look at you good. Le’ me look at de chillun—de big chillun an’ de li’le chillun. Le’ me look at de picters an’ de photygraphts an’ de pianny, an’ eve’ything ’fo’ it’s too late.

Aunt Peggy visits the house to take a final look at the family, the children, and the household items before she goes blind or dies.

_Aunt Peggy makes a recurring farewell visit to the family home._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/old-aunt-peggy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters