Picture a southern lady. She is the vision of beauty, waiting for her beau to arrive. Her waiting lasts some time and finally she is told that he will not be coming for her, that he has left with another woman. Her hand flies to her forehead and she swoons sideways, falling right off of the chair she is sitting in, petticoats flapping in the air.
That is how the scene would have looked without a chaise lounge in her southern plantation home. The epitome of style, drama and grace a chaise lounge allows a lady to be dramatic, emotional, and still look like a lady, instead of a fool.