the awakening

I was actually somewhat disappointed in Edna's character. While I enjoyed the idea of her rebellion against the societal norms with her decision to love another man, and remove herself from the constraints of society, I didn't like how she had to commit suicide as a final separation from society. Though it is a very final statement that confirms her position outside the societal norms, I still wish she had done something more realistic, like move away and move on with her life. I guess in my eyes that would have made her seem like a stronger woman. In addition, it took a man to make Edna open her eyes to the restrictions of society, a point I see as kind of ironic. Though she is rebelling against some class and gender roles, it still takes a man to make the woman do something out of the ordinary. I also feel as though the pressure of societal norms that pushed Robert away from the taboo of loving Edna are the same pressures that led to Edna's extreme reaction: if there had been just one other friend whom Edna could have confided in, one who could relate to her actions and feelings, she would not have had to deal with the isolation that came with her 'awakening'. Though she was illuminated in a way that only she could understand, a feeling that probably empowered her to be the rebel that she was, Robert's rejection of her and her love was a tipping point that just led her back to her beginning, and made her end her short clash with society. Robert's role in all of this makes me wonder: If Edna had been awakened by something other realization of her own power, or NOT influenced by a man, would it have changed the critical response to Chopin's story?

Carmen_The Awakening post

Question: What is the symbolic meaning of Edna's infatuation with the sea?

Comment: At the end of The Awakening Edna commits suicide. This was a strange and abrupt was to end the book. Part of me thinks that by doing this Chopin is suggesting Edna's defeat. Like the bird that falls from the sky before she goes into the water, Edna's wings were not strong enough for her to fly away freely. As Messner discussed in discussion today, his student from prison suggested the idea that most people don't know they have bars around them and once they realize they are there they will probably not be able to live on the outside of their "cage" because they have unknowingly been inside for so long. Chopin could possibly be suggested that this happened to Edna and that she ultimately failed in becoming independent. However, I don't think that Edna failed. She broke free of many of the bounds of her society and age cohort. Edna's suicide symbolized her arrival to ultimate freedom. Edna could not live happily in her society; she could not lead the life she wanted to lead. By commiting suicide she released herself from her bodily bounds and freed her mind.

The Awakening

Kate Chopin essentially broke down all boundaries of the time when she decided to write The Awakening. The novel would even be slightly controversial now, but at the time it was written, her ideas were not even heard of. Chopin relays the feminist message through Edna Pontellier, who is a mother and a wife, though she is seemingly unattached from her family and does not pay much attention to them. She leaves them and attempts to escape the reality of life’s responsibilities. The novel definitely subverts the gender norm that women, especially in the 1900’s, must be housewives and mothers. It is interesting that Edna’s husband continues to reach for his wife’s attention. The gender roles seem to have been switched from the expected values of the early 20^th century. Although I recognize the feminist image Edna’s character portrays, I also believe it is an extreme illustration of how a woman should individualize herself. There are other ways to be independent rather than abandoning one’s family and then committing suicide. Edna pursues an adulterous relationship and abandons her children, yet she is supposed to be an image of feminism. I feel that the extremity of her actions is not something to be seen as positive, but I can understand the theme that women can be individuals and empower themselves.

Question: How do you think other women in the time period would react to a character like Edna? Would any agree and follow her ideas? Or were her actions too extreme?

The Awakening

This book shows the changing process of the woman character; how Mrs. Pontellier becomes more independent. Mrs. Pontellier is a woman who has strong personality that is reflected in her actions; for example, when she learns how to swim. She swims really far away from a Grand Isle coast to prove her independence and strength. Edna does not love her husband, but she got married anyways; her husband does not really love her as well; besides, her husband is just concerned about his standing position in the society. I think that it is terrible to marry a man who does not even care much about you, but more about what people say. Edna spends time with Robert who listens to her and who somewhat understands her. She really misses him when he is not around her; the news about Robert leaving to go to Mexico made Edna feel absolutely upset. It is interesting how a different man gives more moral support to the lady then her own husband and it is one of the reasons why Edna thinks more about Robert then her husband. Another example, shows that Robert cares about Edna and it is reflected in the scene when Robert gives his arm to Mrs. Pontellier when she was sitting next to the pool while waiting her husband to come home. She misses Robert a lot what is shown at the scene where Edna goes to visit Robert’s mother and she sees the letter that Robert’s mother received from him Edna got jealous because she wanted to receive letter from him instead of what she just got - greetings. Furthermore, I do agree with Edna when she says that she is not ready to give up herself for children because a mother needs to take care of children, but not to forgive her personality. Edna’s personality is fighter, but one can never know if that kind of decisions can make things better or worse.
Question: What excatly pushed Edna to create that close relationshops between her and Robert?

The Awakening

Question: If Edna was alive in our society at this time, would she still try to be rebellious and fight against the our society's gender restrictions?

Comments: After reading The Awakening, I became more aware of how the society in the 1800's effected women. Edna was paralyzed by a society that made her feel nothing. She was forced into a marriage not based on love, but on the demands of her family and assumed the role as a dependable wife and mother. But after her summer with Robert, Edna goes from her life as a devoted wife and mother to a rebel. She becomes aware of her own independence and sexuality and refuses to return to her old lifestyle. Inevitably, Edna finds her freedom in the sea at Gran Isle. Although the author leaves the question of Edna's motives unasnwered, I believe this symbolizes her cowerdly surrender to her problems, since she decided to take the easy way out and not face reality.

The awakening blog

Comment:
It is interesting that in the book The Awakening mentions a lot of different topics we discussed in class, such as races, classes, gender, etc. The most impressive thing in the book for me is Kate Chopin was married her husband not for love, but for family, conformity norms, political and financial arrangement which someone mentioned in class today. I do believe that marriage must contains love; however, the marriage at that time was not mainly or only based on love, but also some other social issues. Also, the independence of Edna shown in the book also seems interesting. As at that time, women were suppose to be stay at home as being a good wife and a good mother. She chose her own way to live. She did not allowed people to visit her, and she just enjoyed in her drawing. She looked like the outsider within at that time.

Question:: Why critics said the book is not a healthy book at that time? Why they judged this way, based on what socail structure at that time?

The Awakening

I have found The Awakening to be very entertaining because of how subversive the subject matter is. Kate Chopin wrote about views of married and family life that were not discussed in public if at all by society at the time it was written. She pushes the proverbial envelope by presenting a character who is not satisfied in the gender role she has been assigned. Edna Pontellier is troubled by the part she is forced to play. This can be seen in her obvious disregard for her husband and by her lack-luster performance as a mother. She attempts to step outside the perscribed duties and roles of women in attempt to find freedom. She ultimately reaches this goal but shedding her oppressive clothing and swimming out into the ocean, a place beyond society's reach and rules.

Question: Can parallels be drawn between the experiences of Kate Chopin's characters and her own life? What allowed Chopin to make such subversive social commentaries?