A Respectable Woman Summary

Mrs. Baroda is unnerved by her new houseguest, Gouvernail. Gouvernail is one of her husband Gaston's old college friends. Mrs. Baroda tells her husband Gaston she will visit a relative and not return home until Gouvernail has gone. That night, however, Mrs. Baroda speaks with Gouvernail and feels attracted to him. Being a respectable woman, she resists acting on her feelings, and leaves home early the next day as planned. Mrs. Baroda does not return home until Gouvernail's visit is over. Gaston later asks if Gouvernail might return, but Mrs. Baroda objects to a second visit. However, later that year, Mrs. Baroda changes her mind and agrees to let Gouvernail come back. She promises her husband, "I have overcome everything! You will see. This time I shall be very nice to him."

A Respectable Woman Analysis

Gouvernail, a character...