The story follows Babette as she impatiently waits for the figs on the trees to ripen so she can visit her cousins. Though Maman-Nainaine is patient, Babette is very restless. Eventually warm rains and sunshine cause the figs to change from hard, green marbles to plump purple figs. The next morning, Babette proudly brings a platter of the ripe figs to Maman-Nainaine, who will allow Babette to now visit her cousins, framing the story between the ripening of the figs and the blooming of chrysanthemums.

1. Ripe Figs
Kate Chopin
Read this slowly.
Enjoy it in your mouth and in your
mind.

2. Terms
• Maman = mother
• Tante = older female
family member.
• Aureole = a circle of
light or brightness
surrounding something.

3. Bayou-Lafourche
• Bayou Lafourche wends
its way 100 miles from
the Mississippi River to
the Gulf of Mexico.

4. Ripe Figs
By Kate Chopin
Maman-Nainaine said that when the figs were ripe Babette might go to visit her cousins down
on Bayou-Boeuf, where the sugar cane grows. Not that the ripening of figs had the least thing to do with
it, but that is the way Maman-Nainaine was.
It seemed to Babette a very long time to wait; for the leaves upon the trees were tender yet,
and the figs were like little hard, green marbles.
But warm rains came along and plenty of strong sunshine; and though Maman-Nainaine was as
patient as the statue of la Madone, and Babette as restless as a humming-bird, the first thing they both
knew it was hot summer-time. Every day Babette danced out to where the fig-trees were in a long line
against the fence. She walked slowly beneath them, carefully peering between the gnarled, spreading
branches. But each time she came disconsolate away again. What she saw there finally was something
that made her sing and dance the whole day long.
When Maman-Nainaine sat down in her stately way to breakfast, the following morning, her
muslin cap standing like an aureole about her white, placid face, Babette approached. She bore a dainty
porcelain platter, which she set down before her godmother. It contained a dozen purple figs, fringed
around with their rich, green leaves.
"Ah," said Maman-Nainaine, arching her eyebrows, "how early the figs have ripened this year!"
"Oh," said Babette, "I think they have ripened very late."
"Babette," continued Maman-Nainaine, as she peeled the very plumpest figs with her pointed silver fruit-
knife, "you will carry my love to them all down on Bayou-Boeuf. And tell your tante Frosine I shall look for
her at Toussaint--when the chrysanthemums are in bloom."

5. Things to notice
• Characters
• Character contrasts
• Symbols – fruit
• Similes
• Setting, seasons and
time.

6. Ripe Figs
By Kate Chopin
Maman-Nainaine said that when the figs were ripe Babette might go to visit her cousins down
on Bayou-Boeuf, where the sugar cane grows. Not that the ripening of figs had the least thing to do with
it, but that is the way Maman-Nainaine was.
It seemed to Babette a very long time to wait; for the leaves upon the trees were tender yet,
and the figs were like little hard, green marbles.
But warm rains came along and plenty of strong sunshine; and though Maman-Nainaine was as
patient as the statue of la Madone, and Babette as restless as a humming-bird, the first thing they both
knew it was hot summer-time. Every day Babette danced out to where the fig-trees were in a long line
against the fence. She walked slowly beneath them, carefully peering between the gnarled, spreading
branches. But each time she came disconsolate away again. What she saw there finally was something
that made her sing and dance the whole day long.
When Maman-Nainaine sat down in her stately way to breakfast, the following morning, her
muslin cap standing like an aureole about her white, placid face, Babette approached. She bore a dainty
porcelain platter, which she set down before her godmother. It contained a dozen purple figs, fringed
around with their rich, green leaves.
"Ah," said Maman-Nainaine, arching her eyebrows, "how early the figs have ripened this year!"
"Oh," said Babette, "I think they have ripened very late."
"Babette," continued Maman-Nainaine, as she peeled the very plumpest figs with her pointed silver fruit-
knife, "you will carry my love to them all down on Bayou-Boeuf. And tell your tante Frosine I shall look for
her at Toussaint--when the chrysanthemums are in bloom."
(What do you notice about the fruit and the flower? Why would they frame the story?)

7. Ripe Figs
By Kate Chopin
Maman-Nainaine said that when the figs were ripe Babette might go to visit her cousins down
on Bayou-Boeuf, where the sugar cane grows. Not that the ripening of figs had the least thing to do with
it, but that is the way Maman-Nainaine was.
It seemed to Babette a very long time to wait; for the leaves upon the trees were tender yet,
and the figs were like little hard, green marbles.
But warm rains came along and plenty of strong sunshine; and though Maman-Nainaine was as
patient as the statue of la Madone, and Babette as restless as a humming-bird, the first thing they both
knew it was hot summer-time. Every day Babette danced out to where the fig-trees were in a long line
against the fence. She walked slowly beneath them, carefully peering between the gnarled, spreading
branches. But each time she came disconsolate away again. What she saw there finally was something
that made her sing and dance the whole day long.
When Maman-Nainaine sat down in her stately way to breakfast, the following morning, her
muslin cap standing like an aureole about her white, placid face, Babette approached. She bore a dainty
porcelain platter, which she set down before her godmother. It contained a dozen purple figs, fringed
around with their rich, green leaves.
"Ah," said Maman-Nainaine, arching her eyebrows, "how early the figs have ripened this year!"
"Oh," said Babette, "I think they have ripened very late."
"Babette," continued Maman-Nainaine, as she peeled the very plumpest figs with her pointed silver fruit-
knife, "you will carry my love to them all down on Bayou-Boeuf. And tell your tante Frosine I shall look for
her at Toussaint--when the chrysanthemums are in bloom."
(What do you notice about the “green marbles” and the “purple figs”)

8. Ripe Figs
By Kate Chopin
Maman-Nainaine said that when the figs were ripe Babette might go to visit her cousins down
on Bayou-Boeuf, where the sugar cane grows. Not that the ripening of figs had the least thing to do with
it, but that is the way Maman-Nainaine was.
It seemed to Babette a very long time to wait; for the leaves upon the trees were tender yet,
and the figs were like little hard, green marbles.
But warm rains came along and plenty of strong sunshine; and though Maman-Nainaine was as
patient as the statue of la Madone, and Babette as restless as a humming-bird, the first thing they both
knew it was hot summer-time. Every day Babette danced out to where the fig-trees were in a long line
against the fence. She walked slowly beneath them, carefully peering between the gnarled, spreading
branches. But each time she came disconsolate away again. What she saw there finally was something
that made her sing and dance the whole day long.
When Maman-Nainaine sat down in her stately way to breakfast, the following morning, her
muslin cap standing like an aureole about her white, placid face, Babette approached. She bore a dainty
porcelain platter, which she set down before her godmother. It contained a dozen purple figs, fringed
around with their rich, green leaves.
"Ah," said Maman-Nainaine, arching her eyebrows, "how early the figs have ripened this year!"
"Oh," said Babette, "I think they have ripened very late."
"Babette," continued Maman-Nainaine, as she peeled the very plumpest figs with her pointed silver fruit-
knife, "you will carry my love to them all down on Bayou-Boeuf. And tell your tante Frosine I shall look for
her at Toussaint--when the chrysanthemums are in bloom."
(What is happening with the “ah” and the “oh” here?)

9. Ripe Figs
By Kate Chopin
Maman-Nainaine said that when the figs were ripe Babette might go to visit her cousins down
on Bayou-Boeuf, where the sugar cane grows. Not that the ripening of figs had the least thing to do with
it, but that is the way Maman-Nainaine was.
It seemed to Babette a very long time to wait; for the leaves upon the trees were tender yet,
and the figs were like little hard, green marbles.
But warm rains came along and plenty of strong sunshine; and though Maman-Nainaine was as
patient as the statue of la Madone, and Babette as restless as a humming-bird, the first thing they both
knew it was hot summer-time. Every day Babette danced out to where the fig-trees were in a long line
against the fence. She walked slowly beneath them, carefully peering between the gnarled, spreading
branches. But each time she came disconsolate away again. What she saw there finally was something
that made her sing and dance the whole day long.
When Maman-Nainaine sat down in her stately way to breakfast, the following morning, her
muslin cap standing like an aureole about her white, placid face, Babette approached. She bore a dainty
porcelain platter, which she set down before her godmother. It contained a dozen purple figs, fringed
around with their rich, green leaves.
"Ah," said Maman-Nainaine, arching her eyebrows, "how early the figs have ripened this year!"
"Oh," said Babette, "I think they have ripened very late."
"Babette," continued Maman-Nainaine, as she peeled the very plumpest figs with her pointed silver fruit-
knife, "you will carry my love to them all down on Bayou-Boeuf. And tell your tante Frosine I shall look for
her at Toussaint--when the chrysanthemums are in bloom."
(How is this contrast of statue and humming-bird significant?)

10. Ripe Figs
By Kate Chopin
Maman-Nainaine said that when the figs were ripe Babette might go to visit her cousins down
on Bayou-Boeuf, where the sugar cane grows. Not that the ripening of figs had the least thing to do with
it, but that is the way Maman-Nainaine was.
It seemed to Babette a very long time to wait; for the leaves upon the trees were tender yet,
and the figs were like little hard, green marbles.
But warm rains came along and plenty of strong sunshine; and though Maman-Nainaine was as
patient as the statue of la Madone, and Babette as restless as a humming-bird, the first thing they both
knew it was hot summer-time. Every day Babette danced out to where the fig-trees were in a long line
against the fence. She walked slowly beneath them, carefully peering between the gnarled, spreading
branches. But each time she came disconsolate away again. What she saw there finally was something
that made her sing and dance the whole day long.
When Maman-Nainaine sat down in her stately way to breakfast, the following morning, her
muslin cap standing like an aureole about her white, placid face, Babette approached. She bore a dainty
porcelain platter, which she set down before her godmother. It contained a dozen purple figs, fringed
around with their rich, green leaves.
"Ah," said Maman-Nainaine, arching her eyebrows, "how early the figs have ripened this year!"
"Oh," said Babette, "I think they have ripened very late."
"Babette," continued Maman-Nainaine, as she peeled the very plumpest figs with her pointed silver fruit-
knife, "you will carry my love to them all down on Bayou-Boeuf. And tell your tante Frosine I shall look for
her at Toussaint--when the chrysanthemums are in bloom."
(Why would Maman-Nainaine be likened to a statue of “Madone”?)

11. Ripe Figs
By Kate Chopin
Maman-Nainaine said that when the figs were ripe Babette might go to visit her cousins down
on Bayou-Boeuf, where the sugar cane grows. Not that the ripening of figs had the least thing to do with
it, but that is the way Maman-Nainaine was.
It seemed to Babette a very long time to wait; for the leaves upon the trees were tender yet,
and the figs were like little hard, green marbles.
But warm rains came along and plenty of strong sunshine; and though Maman-Nainaine was as
patient as the statue of la Madone, and Babette as restless as a humming-bird, the first thing they both
knew it was hot summer-time. Every day Babette danced out to where the fig-trees were in a long line
against the fence. She walked slowly beneath them, carefully peering between the gnarled, spreading
branches. But each time she came disconsolate away again. What she saw there finally was something
that made her sing and dance the whole day long.
When Maman-Nainaine sat down in her stately way to breakfast, the following morning, her
muslin cap standing like an aureole about her white, placid face, Babette approached. She bore a dainty
porcelain platter, which she set down before her godmother. It contained a dozen purple figs, fringed
around with their rich, green leaves.
"Ah," said Maman-Nainaine, arching her eyebrows, "how early the figs have ripened this year!"
"Oh," said Babette, "I think they have ripened very late."
"Babette," continued Maman-Nainaine, as she peeled the very plumpest figs with her pointed silver fruit-
knife, "you will carry my love to them all down on Bayou-Boeuf. And tell your tante Frosine I shall look for
her at Toussaint--when the chrysanthemums are in bloom."
(Why would alliteration be placed here? Why would Chopin draw our attention to this spot?)

12. Ripe Figs
By Kate Chopin
Maman-Nainaine said that when the figs were ripe Babette might go to visit her cousins down
on Bayou-Boeuf, where the sugar cane grows. Not that the ripening of figs had the least thing to do with
it, but that is the way Maman-Nainaine was.
It seemed to Babette a very long time to wait; for the leaves upon the trees were tender yet,
and the figs were like little hard, green marbles.
But warm rains came along and plenty of strong sunshine; and though Maman-Nainaine was as
patient as the statue of la Madone, and Babette as restless as a humming-bird, the first thing they both
knew it was hot summer-time. Every day Babette danced out to where the fig-trees were in a long line
against the fence. She walked slowly beneath them, carefully peering between the gnarled, spreading
branches. But each time she came disconsolate away again. What she saw there finally was something
that made her sing and dance the whole day long.
When Maman-Nainaine sat down in her stately way to breakfast, the following morning, her
muslin cap standing like an aureole about her white, placid face, Babette approached. She bore a dainty
porcelain platter, which she set down before her godmother. It contained a dozen purple figs, fringed
around with their rich, green leaves.
"Ah," said Maman-Nainaine, arching her eyebrows, "how early the figs have ripened this year!"
"Oh," said Babette, "I think they have ripened very late."
"Babette," continued Maman-Nainaine, as she peeled the very plumpest figs with her pointed silver fruit-
knife, "you will carry my love to them all down on Bayou-Boeuf. And tell your tante Frosine I shall look for
her at Toussaint--when the chrysanthemums are in bloom."
(Is there anything interesting between the “plumpest figs” and the “Pointed silver fruit-knife”?)

13. Ripe Figs
By Kate Chopin
Maman-Nainaine said that when the figs were ripe Babette might go to visit her cousins down
on Bayou-Boeuf, where the sugar cane grows. Not that the ripening of figs had the least thing to do with
it, but that is the way Maman-Nainaine was.
It seemed to Babette a very long time to wait; for the leaves upon the trees were tender yet,
and the figs were like little hard, green marbles.
But warm rains came along and plenty of strong sunshine; and though Maman-Nainaine was as
patient as the statue of la Madone, and Babette as restless as a humming-bird, the first thing they both
knew it was hot summer-time. Every day Babette danced out to where the fig-trees were in a long line
against the fence. She walked slowly beneath them, carefully peering between the gnarled, spreading
branches. But each time she came disconsolate away again. What she saw there finally was something
that made her sing and dance the whole day long.
When Maman-Nainaine sat down in her stately way to breakfast, the following morning, her
muslin cap standing like an aureole about her white, placid face, Babette approached. She bore a dainty
porcelain platter, which she set down before her godmother. It contained a dozen purple figs, fringed
around with their rich, green leaves.
"Ah," said Maman-Nainaine, arching her eyebrows, "how early the figs have ripened this year!"
"Oh," said Babette, "I think they have ripened very late."
"Babette," continued Maman-Nainaine, as she peeled the very plumpest figs with her pointed silver fruit-
knife, "you will carry my love to them all down on Bayou-Boeuf. And tell your tante Frosine I shall look for
her at Toussaint--when the chrysanthemums are in bloom."
(What do you notice about Maman-Nainaine’s request to, “carry my love”? Is it significant that it is placed
at the end of plump fig and after the silver knife?)

14. Ripe Figs
By Kate Chopin
Maman-Nainaine said that when the figs were ripe Babette might go to visit her cousins down
on Bayou-Boeuf, where the sugar cane grows. Not that the ripening of figs had the least thing to do with
it, but that is the way Maman-Nainaine was.
It seemed to Babette a very long time to wait; for the leaves upon the trees were tender yet,
and the figs were like little hard, green marbles.
But warm rains came along and plenty of strong sunshine; and though Maman-Nainaine was as
patient as the statue of la Madone, and Babette as restless as a humming-bird, the first thing they both
knew it was hot summer-time. Every day Babette danced out to where the fig-trees were in a long line
against the fence. She walked slowly beneath them, carefully peering between the gnarled, spreading
branches. But each time she came disconsolate away again. What she saw there finally was something
that made her sing and dance the whole day long.
When Maman-Nainaine sat down in her stately way to breakfast, the following morning, her
muslin cap standing like an aureole about her white, placid face, Babette approached. She bore a dainty
porcelain platter, which she set down before her godmother. It contained a dozen purple figs, fringed
around with their rich, green leaves.
"Ah," said Maman-Nainaine, arching her eyebrows, "how early the figs have ripened this year!"
"Oh," said Babette, "I think they have ripened very late."
"Babette," continued Maman-Nainaine, as she peeled the very plumpest figs with her pointed silver fruit-
knife, "you will carry my love to them all down on Bayou-Boeuf. And tell your tante Frosine I shall look for
her at Toussaint--when the chrysanthemums are in bloom."
(Why the image of the sugar cane after the figs?)

15. Ripe Figs
By Kate Chopin
Maman-Nainaine said that when the figs were ripe Babette might go to visit her cousins down
on Bayou-Boeuf, where the sugar cane grows. Not that the ripening of figs had the least thing to do with
it, but that is the way Maman-Nainaine was.
It seemed to Babette a very long time to wait; for the leaves upon the trees were tender yet,
and the figs were like little hard, green marbles.
But warm rains came along and plenty of strong sunshine; and though Maman-Nainaine was as
patient as the statue of la Madone, and Babette as restless as a humming-bird, the first thing they both
knew it was hot summer-time. Every day Babette danced out to where the fig-trees were in a long line
against the fence. She walked slowly beneath them, carefully peering between the gnarled, spreading
branches. But each time she came disconsolate away again. What she saw there finally was something
that made her sing and dance the whole day long.
When Maman-Nainaine sat down in her stately way to breakfast, the following morning, her
muslin cap standing like an aureole about her white, placid face, Babette approached. She bore a dainty
porcelain platter, which she set down before her godmother. It contained a dozen purple figs, fringed
around with their rich, green leaves.
"Ah," said Maman-Nainaine, arching her eyebrows, "how early the figs have ripened this year!"
"Oh," said Babette, "I think they have ripened very late."
"Babette," continued Maman-Nainaine, as she peeled the very plumpest figs with her pointed silver fruit-
knife, "you will carry my love to them all down on Bayou-Boeuf. And tell your tante Frosine I shall look for
her at Toussaint--when the chrysanthemums are in bloom."
(Why would the words “dance” and “sat” be so close together? What does it highlight? What does it make
the author feel beyond the simple juxtaposition? Why end with “bloom”?)

16. Past noticing stuff
• The goal is not to simply
notice stuff.
• The next step it to be
able to talk about how
the text means. 
“By examining _____ the
work is suggesting
_______.”