The Night Came Slowly

“The Night Came Slowly” is one of Chopin’s shortest works. It has been referred to as a “scrap” because it is so brief. Despite the brevity, Chopin uses many traditional storytelling elements in her work. What are the most prominent storytelling techniques? How does symbolism in particular help to give this short work multiple layers?

The story uses sparse, almost poetic language. How does Chopin’s writing style add to or detract from the themes of the story? Why do you think Chopin chose to leave the narrator unnamed and without a gender?

Compare the portrayal of the night compared to that of the man with the Bible class. What are the differences between how these two characters are conveyed, and how do Chopin’s descriptions contrast them? How do these differences relate to the theme of The Allure of Gentleness?

Very little is revealed about the narrator’s life or experiences. Consider what challenges or issues may have fueled the narrator’s state of mind. What reasons could the narrator have for losing interest in human beings? Use moments from the text to support your answer.

The night is a complex symbol in this work. It symbolizes many things. Re-read the text while thinking of the night as a representation of death, or at least to an awareness of one’s own mortality. Read the text again, but this time thinking of the night as mystery—that is, the night as representing all that man does not know. How does your reading of the work change or deepen with each reading?

Just as the night is a complex symbol, the light in the story also has several layers. What different things might the light represent? How does it interact with the night as a symbol?

Chopin dedicates a significant amount of time to a man with his Bible class. How does organized religion play a role in this story, and what kind of commentary could Chopin be making about religion?

The title of the work comes from a line in the story. Why do you think Chopin names the story, “The Night Came Slowly” rather than choosing another line in the text? Are there any other titles for this story that you think are just as fitting?