In “At the ‘Cadian Ball,” Calixta and Clarisse act as foils to each other, meaning that their juxtaposition in the story reveals important information about each of their characters. When compared to Calixta, Clarisse comes across as a refined and graceful upper-class woman, while, when compared with Clarisse, Calixta comes across as an outspoken and crass lower-class woman.
Clarisse’s sophistication and higher social status are apparent in her reaction to Alcée’s decision to attend the ball:
“The ’Cadian ball,” she repeated contemptuously. “Humph! Par exemple! Nice conduc’ for a Laballière. An’ he needs a saddlebag, fill’ with clothes, to go to the ’Cadian ball!”
Here Clarisse reacts “contemptuously” to Alcée’s presence at a lower-class function, sarcastically stating, “Nice conduc’ for a Laballière.” This is her way of saying that she sees the ball as beneath Alcée (and herself).
Calixta, on the other hand, has no problem attending the ball and unabashedly flirting with Alcée there. In addition, she is known for having a temper. Here the narrator pauses to share background information on how Calixta has come to blows with her friend Fronie over a man before:
Fronie threw it up to Calixta when the two quarreled and fought on the church steps after mass one Sunday, about a lover. Calixta swore roundly in fine ’Cadian French and with true Spanish spirit, and slapped Fronie’s face.
When comparing the two women—one who sees attending a ball as beneath her, the other who views slapping a friend in public as acceptable behavior—it’s easy to see how they act as foils for each other. It is notable that Chopin does not judge either of these as more desirable or honorable ways of being—these are just the qualities both women have because of the situations into which they were born. Both women end up engaged to men who deeply love them, a feminist ending to a story that could have had a more traditional ending by punishing Calixta for her flirtatious and crass behavior.
