"Ripe Figs" is a short story by Kate Chopin, first published in 1895. The story is told from the perspective of a young girl named Bibi, who is spending the summer with her Aunt Dide in the countryside of Louisiana.
At the beginning of the story, Bibi is eagerly anticipating the ripening of the figs on Aunt Dide's tree. She is fascinated by the process of the figs growing and changing, and spends hours watching and waiting for them to be ready to pick. Bibi's love of the figs is heightened by the fact that they are a symbol of her close relationship with Aunt Dide, who is the only person in the world who understands and cares for her.
As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Bibi's anticipation of the figs is not just about their taste or the pleasure of eating them. Rather, the figs represent a sense of hope and possibility for Bibi, who is struggling to find her place in the world. Bibi is an orphan, and has lived with various relatives throughout her life, never feeling truly at home or belonging anywhere. The figs represent the idea that there is something in the world that is meant for her, that she can claim as her own and take pride in.
Aunt Dide is also deeply connected to the figs, and shares Bibi's sense of anticipation and excitement as they wait for them to ripen. However, as the figs finally reach their peak of ripeness, Aunt Dide becomes ill and is unable to pick them. Bibi is devastated by this turn of events, feeling as though she has lost something vital and precious.
In the end, Bibi takes matters into her own hands and picks the figs herself, despite being told not to. This act of defiance and determination reflects Bibi's growing sense of agency and self-reliance, as she takes control of her own life and finds her own path forward.
Through the symbolism of the ripe figs, Chopin explores themes of longing, belonging, and the search for meaning and purpose in life. Bibi's love of the figs reflects her deep desire to find a place where she belongs and feels loved and understood. In the end, Bibi's determination to pick the figs herself suggests that she is beginning to find her own way and to believe in her own abilities and worth.