When The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, was first published, many critics bashed on the book because it was filled with sexual desires of a woman and this was not the social norm for a women to behave. Chopin showed a lot of courage when she decided to publish this book to fight for women’s equality by showing society how they feel and their roles. Although we saw Edna sexually driven to many different men in the book, one example was her love for Robert. Robert left Edna because he loves her, he left her. Robert knows that he can’t be with Edna because it will ruin her reputation in society as a woman. Shown in this quote, “her senses kindled afresh in thinking of Robert’s words, the pressure of his arms, and the feeling of his lips upon her own…. She hoped he would be asleep that she might arouse him with her caresses”(172), Edna has enormous feelings for Robert. Edna loves the way Robert touches her and treats her. Despite the fact that Edna is already married and have two kids. Edna was also sexual attracted to Alcee. Although Robert was her true love, Alcee satisfies Edna’s physical urges. When Alcee came over a night, Edna and Alcee talked and got closer …show more content…
At first it might seem Edna does not care about her children, but in reality, Edna cares about her children, even if she has to sacrifice her life. But she won’t give up herself as a person. Mr. Pontellier was angry at his wife for not doing what she is suppose to do as a wife. Edna said the her husband, “I feel like painting….Perhaps I shan’t always feel like it”(108). By choosing to paint, Edna breaks her role as a housekeeper which frees her from being trapped by her husband. She feels a sense of
While home alone, Edna frequently attends horse races with Alcee Acrobin and Mrs. Highcamp. Acrobin builds a romantic interest in Edna and one day kisses her hand. With that kiss Edna feels unfaithful, not to Leonce, but to Robert. She instantly tells Acrobin that she is done attending horse races and that he is not permitted to
Each quote that I mentioned in this paragraph shows the envy Catharine has and with that being said the second quote “I was meant to pick it up. That was what maids were meant to do---pick up their master 's and mistress 's things and put them back in their place (215). This quote is placed immediately after Catharina tries to destroy the painting of Griet by stabbing it with a knife. When Jan Vermeer prevents her from doing this, the knife falls on the floor. Griet knows that she is expected to pick it up.
The Awakening In “The Awakening” Edna has mixed feelings for people. Including her husband. After her husband goes away she decides he wants to leave him. “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin was challenged for sexual and suicidal content, as well as its explicit cover; however, many argue against its banning because of the positive themes addressed in the novel.
Edna broke free from the mold of her society. She was trying to find her purpose and her worth in a world where she did not have many rights or individual stability. Edna Pontellier worked to disregard the influence and power of men and society as a whole to discover more about herself and what she really wanted out of life (Bommarito). She gave up the “unessential” such as her home, possessions, and reputation to do things for
The quote “The writers, I do believe, who get the best and most lasting response from their readers are the writers who offer a happy ending through moral development. By a happy ending, I do not mean mere fortunate events--a marriage or a last minute rescue from death--but some kind of spiritual reassessment or moral reconciliation, even with the self, even at death” by British novelist Fay Weldon relates to the ending of The Awakening in how Edna’s final views and thoughts of herself and her life have evolved throughout the novel. Edna undergoes a significant change in attitude, behavior, and overall character. Edna’s rebellion against societal norms seems to be more intrinsically motivated rather than by extrinsic forces. Throughout the course of the novel, Edna struggles with her inner thoughts, feelings, and becoming her true self rather than just living the expected lifestyle of a typical upper class housewife.
Dialectal Journal; The Awakening (Kate Chopin) Motif- The Sea Quote Literary/Style Elements Commentary Additional Ideas “There was no sound abroad except the hooting of an old owl in the top of a water-oak, and the everlasting voice of the sea, that was not uplifted at that soft hour.” (7) Personification Chopin’s use of personification demonstrates how the sea provides a feeling of comfort. The soft hour helps to communicate the feeling of comfort as Chopin tries to show how the setting of the sea is calming.
Women during Edna’s time were supposed to be dedicated to their husbands and children, however, Edna yearned for her own independence, and as a result of wanting her own independence Edna knew that she was seen as a terrible person. For instance Edna wanted to “…try to determine what character of a woman I am; for, candidly, I don't know. By all the codes which I am acquainted with, I am a devilishly wicked specimen of the sex. But some way I can't convince myself that I am. I must think about it" (27.4).
Edna continually questions whether or not she is destined to live a life of subordination or if she can find her own freedom. Edna Pontellier’s defiant nature is brought out
Edna even says herself, “I would give up the unessential…my money…my life for my children, but not myself.” For her life, Edna realized that means her marriage and physical life. As far as her marriage, Edna was never truly happy with her marriage with Leonce. Furthermore, Edna states she truly cares for her children, but sometimes her search for herself may conflict with this. This then further discourages readers even more due to the fact that this gives insight to her actions, and somewhat justifies them.
In the 19th century, a group of people launched the suffrage movement, and they cared about women’s political rights, their property and their body liberty. Born in that age, Kate Chopin was aware of the importance of setting an example for those who were taken in by the reality and poor women to be an inspiration. So we call her a forerunner of the feminist author for every effort she put in advocating women’s sexuality, their self-identity and women’s own strength. When people were ashamed of talking about sexuality, Kate Chopin stood out and call for women’s sexual autonomy.
Moreover, when her children tumbled, she will not pick them up just let them get up on their own. In contrast to Adele, Edna is not contributing herself to her family as well as Adele. Edna tries to fit in as the role to be a good mother, but, she cannot definitely, to be a mother-woman cannot fulfill her eagerness to be a special, independent and egocentric person. In Chapter XVI, Edna said to Adele, she would give her money and her life to children, but never herself. And that is what she is trying to understand and recognize.
However, Creole women were expected to be chaste, and would behave in a unreserved manner. The exposure to such openness is what frees Edna from her previously repressed emotions and desires and motivates her to become more independent. Because they are women, Adele and Edna do not have much freedom, as in comparison to men. However, Edna gains more freedom that is much closer to that of men when she abandons her household and social responsibilities. Edna’s refusal to follow and obey social conventions, allows her to spend her time on painting and sketching.
Awakening In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve experienced a sudden moment of realization, they become aware of themselves and their surroundings. This “awareness” led to their demise and created a door for sin. Likewise, the main character in the novel “The Awakening” experiences a sudden moment of awareness. Like many women of her time, she tried to follow the tracks laid out for her, trying to please the eyes of the people.
Edna sets personhood limits on how much she would give up for her children through a recalled conversation with Adele where Edna spoke her views on motherhood: “I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn’t give myself” (47). Her statement is revealing because Edna goes against what society says a woman is supposed to feel towards her children. She would give up superficial things like money, or a even a vital thing - her life - for her children. However, Edna states her unwillingness to become a ministering angel where to reach divine status she would have to erase her personhood, who she is as an individual. Edna will not give up her self for anything.
Throughout the novel Edna imagined this perfect life with Robert filled with impetuous passion. Though Robert loved Edna, he decided to leave for Mexico to avoid a morally wrong relationship with her. Even after returning to Louisiana, Robert abandons Edna a second time only leaving a note stating “I love you. Good-by—because I love you” (Chopin 198). The reality of Edna’s relationship with Robert would never meet her expectations due to her legal connection to Leonce.