Kate Chopin wrote for a reason and with a sense of passion and desire. He lived as he wanted and wrote what he felt, thought and wanted to say. Kate wrote for many years and her popularity was extreme until the critical disapproval of her novel, The Awakening, a story that depicted women's desires for independence and control of their sexuality. Most men condemned this story, while women applauded it. Kate wrote with a sense of realism and naturalism and created a unique and unparalleled voice. The voice gave insight into the role of women in society and contributed to the beginning of subsequent feminist movements. In 1915, Fred Lewis Pattee wrote, "some of Chopin's work is equal to the best that has been produced in France or even in America. He has shown what may be described as a native aptitude for narrative amounting almost to genius" ( qtd. in Amazon.com “About the Author”). Kate Chopin was a 19th century American author who cared about women and their rights. She was a bold writer who had a huge impact on how the world should treat women. On February 8, 1851, Katherine O'Flaherty was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Kate was born to parents Thomas O'Flaherty and Eliza Faris. His father was a wealthy Irish immigrant and a successful businessman. Sadly, Kate's father died in a train accident when she was just four years old. Kate's childhood was mainly influenced by her mother and great-grandmother. Kate spent much time with her family's Creole and mulatto slaves, becoming familiar with their dialects. She attended the Sacred Heart Convent where she was a very poor student, but an avid reader. At the age of eleven, Kate's great-grandmother and half-brother died. These two deaths meant that Kat...... middle of paper ......wn was one of the most important women in 19th-century American fiction. Kate grew up in a world where women were viewed with very little importance. He wrote to change that. Kate wrote with passion and a sense of realism. She proved to the world around her that women were equal to men. In conclusion, Kate Chopin is known for being the first feminist writer and a woman ahead of her time. Even though she was despised in her day for the things she wrote, today she is celebrated and acclaimed by people all over the world. Kate's writings provided her with the means to live as she wanted, both mentally and physically, rather than fulfilling the role society expected of her. Kate Chopin proved to women that they have the right to express themselves however they want. That's why Kate is known today as one of the most important women in 19th-century American fiction.