Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening, explores the boundaries that kept women from expressing themselves and ever being their true self. The main figure, Edna Pontellier, becomes a very influential figure in feminism through her valiant attempt to live an "awakened" life that she never had the chance to previously. However, the societal norms of the day, coupled with the surrounding characters around Edna, lead to her decision to commit suicide, which does not parallel the strength that Edna strove for throughout the entire book. It is for these reasons that, although Edna became a strong woman throughout the book, her final decision to commit suicide was unwarranted and took away all that she worked towards in the blink of an eye. Edna Pontellier's attempt in obtaining feminine autonomy was greatly thwarted by the restrictions that bourgeoisie society placed on gender roles. It was common knowledge that women were meant to serve one purpose and one purpose only, being obedient housewives. As a Creole woman, it was even more pertinent to her heritage that women be strict Christians and follow the basic tenets of housewifery. Her father even went on to tell Leonce Pontellier that he needed to knock some sense into her and regain control over her when she refused to attend her own sister's wedding. Leonce himself shows the general view of males (that females are goods of the husband) when Edna comes back sunburned from the beach and the book notes him ."..looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage," (3). Another social foundation that was accepted universally was the notion that women were to stay home with the children while the man of the house held a job outsi... ... middle of paper ... ... had been given her to control the working of her body and soul... She wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before" (36). When Edna again ventures to the ocean at the end of the novel to drown herself, it is very uncharacteristic of the powerful feminist woman that had been portrayed throughout the book as being a beacon of light for the future of women. Edna Pontellier may have had many great successes during her time as a feminist, but the forces that opposed her eventually overtook her will to continue. The societal norms and other various characters close to her proved to be overwhelming to Edna as she went on to commit suicide at the end of the novel. This suicide took away all that Edna had worked towards, and could've ever achieved, showing just how uncharacteristic it was for the strong feminist she was made out to be throughout the book.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin's novel, the awakening, explores the boundaries that kept women from expressing themselves and ever being their true self.
- Analyzes how edna pontellier's attempt to obtain feminine autonomy was thwarted by the restrictions that bourgeoisie society placed on gender roles.
- Analyzes how edna's husband, leonce, made it nearly impossible for her to break out of the ordinary and express herself through her own interests.
- Analyzes how ms. pontellier had worked through so many barriers throughout the book that it was unexpected and uncharacteristic of her to suddenly commit suicide.
- Analyzes how edna pontellier's suicide at the end of the novel showed how uncharacteristic it was for a strong feminist.
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- The Awakeninganalytical essayThe Awakening “Edna began to feel like one who awakens gradually out of a dream, a delicious, grotesque, impossible dream, to feel again the realities oppressing into her soul.” (Pg. 42) In Kate Chopin’s novel The Awakening the constant boundaries and restrictions placed on Edna Pontellier by society will lead to her struggle for freedom and her ultimate suicide. Her husband Leonce Pontellier, the current women of society, and the Grand Isle make it evident that Edna is trapped in a patriarchal society. There are constant boundaries and restrictions imposed on Edna Pontellier that ignite Edna’s struggle for freedom.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin's novel the awakening makes it clear that edna pontellier is trapped in a patriarchal society.
- Analyzes how edna pontellier, a young creole wife and mother, feels unsatisfied with her marriage. leonce condemns her for neglecting their children.
- Analyzes how edna, unlike many women, does not worship her husband. she rips her wedding ring from her finger and throws it on the floor.
- Analyzes how edna's affections for her children depend on her mood, although her state of mind always makes clear that she loves them.
- Analyzes how the sea is where edna begins her search for freedom. she is unable to swim, despite practically everyone on the island giving her instruction.
- Analyzes how the sea urges edna to wander through life at her own pleasing.
- Analyzes how edna sought refuge in other men as an escape from her feelings of entrapment in her society. grand isle is the setting for a moment of self-discovery and liberation for her.
- Analyzes how edna withdraws from her husband while she continues to think of robert. art becomes the only form of expression that she can handle.
- Analyzes how chopin presents a character that seeks independence from society. edna pontellier represents the rebel in any person. the sea, robert lebrun, and mademoiselle reisz are her awakenings to the life that she wants and is living.
960 wordsRead More - The Awakeninganalytical essayEdna Pontellier's so-called "awakening" is her realization that she is a disposable object in her environment, the patriarchal Creole society of the 19th century. She slowly recognizes in The Awakening that she has never been honest with herself about her true feelings and desires, and grows to understand that a woman in her lifetime will never be seen as an independent person capable of making decisions independently. However, her "awakening" is false; though she makes these realizations, she can not in the end handle her new vision of independent life, and continually places herself in the realms of male dominance by the situations she creates.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how edna pontellier's "awakening" is her realization that she is a disposable object in her environment, the patriarchal creole society of the 19th century.
- Analyzes how chopin's creole society is very much one of male dominance. the conversation between the doctor and mr. pontellier characterizes the whole of the patriarchal society and is exactly what edna yearns to escape.
- Analyzes how edna pontellier was influenced to avoid reality because of her friend adele ratignolle early in the novel. she learns to swim at grand isle, deepening her desire for self-discovery.
- Analyzes how edna brings herself to an "awakening" which opens her eyes momentarily to her own desires and tastes. she loses her short-lived "freedom" in being consumed with passion for him.
- Analyzes how edna's awakening only served to revive her initially, perhaps only productively helping her learn to swim and to paint. she places herself in the arms of the patriarchal system continually floating from her husband to robert to alcee.
587 wordsRead More - The Awakeninganalytical essayThe Awakening, a well known book by Kate Chopin, written about a lady during the “Awakening” when so much chaos and trouble was going through the streets of the city. The main character of the book is Edna Pontellier. Throughout the book, Edna had many dilemma’s in her own personal life, and in advance, she had her life in chaos along with the society that affected her as well. 19th century America was a whole new generation coming up to a new generation creating new ideas and then displaying them, which the public got the fact that they had just as much right to do it as anybody else. This created radical change and completed various social influences and generally affected other governmental groups as well. “The Awakening” in American society brought several changes in roles of women in societal purposing, generally creating major impact of political, economic, and societal changes curving to the pleasure of the public, creating a brand new era of United States identity.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin's "the awakening" was written about edna pontellier, who had many dilemmas in her personal life and the society that affected her as well.
- Analyzes how the awakening, published in 1899, showed the power the women had with men and the ability to maintain independence.
- Analyzes how "awakening" shows the concept of several of political ideas through the life of the main character, edna pontellier.
- Analyzes how economic impact during the 19th century america was also shown in kate chopin’s book. the setting in new orleans was one of the main conquered cities of imports and trade among the south.
- Analyzes how edna pontellier's novel parallels the social system shown in the great gastby. many women in this novel were still seen as the victorian style, but many wanted their full rights and independence along with the men.
845 wordsRead More - Kate Chopin’s The Awakeninganalytical essayKate Chopin’s The Awakening should be seen as depicting the discontentment that comes from self-gratification rather than the glorification of delighting in one’s fantasies. Chopin describes the central idea of one who is seeking to please her personal needs and desires and, in the process, neglects to notice how her actions affect others. The protagonist, Edna, is not able to find peace or happiness in the accepted daily life that a woman of her era and social status should have. The fulfilling of her desires could essentially cause social ostracism for her, her husband, and her children, yet she is unable to find repose in living the typical social Victorian life. The final resolve of her “awakening” to her desires, her ultimate suicide, is not an honorable position that women should strive toward as a romantic ideal because her desires were hopeless in her situation. Through Edna’s striving for personal satisfaction, she loses the joys that daily life has to offer.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin's the awakening depicts the discontentment that comes from self-gratification rather than the glorification of delighting in one’s fantasies.
- Analyzes how edna's need to fulfill her personal desires is the cause of her demise.
- Analyzes how edna ended her life so hopelessly by identifying when her selfish desires began to take root in her mind. after becoming disillusioned with her present circumstances, the reader can identify her steps toward bipolar mood disorder (also known as manic depression).
- Describes how they first read and studied kate chopin's "the story of an hour" during their first semester of college. they recall the stir in the classroom as their classmates could not understand how a happily married woman could be relieved by the unexpected death of her husband.
- Opines that they have begun to study chopin again by reading such stories as "at the ‘cadian ball," "the storm," and the awakening.
- Opines that the issue of viewing the awakening as emphasizing the negative effects that come from pursuing selfish personal satisfaction exists for all readers of chopin’s masterpiece who typically romanticize the heroine.
- Analyzes how society romanticizes women who take a stand against conventionalism without regard to their ultimate state of existence.
- Opines that minorities in free societies, including upper-class women, feel a need to prove that they do not have to be subservient to anyone.
- Opines that readers should consider edna's actions as if she were a real human being, rather than romanticizing her "freedom."
- Opines that it is important for readers of the awakening to put edna's actions into the proper perspective and to consider how these actions affect others in her life.
- Explains that the term "romantic glorification" is familiar to literary scholars because it is a nebulous or lofty idea that disregards reason and reality.
- Explains that the word "glorification" is associated with the latin word 'gloria' and the compound meaning is "to make glory."
- Explains that "glorification" is a manner of viewing people or ideas that brings praise and esteem. they consider "romantic glamour" to be the way readers of the awakening view edna that praises her actions.
- Analyzes how chopin describes the intimate relationship between edna and robert lebrun, which is not condemned because creole society had a code that provided for freer social relationships between married women and unmarried men.
- Analyzes how edna becomes disillusioned with her fantastic relationship with robert and develops bipolar mood disorder. she discontinues her ritual social gatherings and refuses to attend her sister's wedding.
- Analyzes how edna's quick changes in her mood characterize what david b. cohen calls "rapid cycling bipolar disorder," which carries a relatively high risk for suicide.
- Suggests readers interpret edna's actions as being detrimental, rather than glorifying her indulgence. they suggest readers outline critical points in the novel where she seems to make decisions that seem impulsive or irrational.
- Argues that readers of the awakening must change their view of edna as a character. she should be seen as someone who has made decisions about her life and has the responsibility to fulfill them.
- Analyzes how many readers view edna's actions as a revolt from the patriarchal society that enslaves her.
- Opines that leonce's frequent absence, both physically and emotionally, is the cause of the events that lead to edna’s suicide.
- Opines that chopin's purpose in creating edna was to suggest that women have the same sexual desires as men.
- Argues that the awakening should be read for the negative results of edna’s pursuit of her own desires rather than the glorifying her self-indulgent behavior. they assume readers have read the novels and understand her character development.
- Argues that recognizing edna's destructive and ruinous actions is better than idealizing and consenting to them.
- Analyzes how blatantly spells out the pain that a single character’s actions cause everyone, such as in madeleine l’engle's love letters. chopin leaves room for readers to condone or condemn the sensual and promiscuous moment of passion.
- Argues that accepting edna's self-indulgent behavior and selfish pursuit of personal desires, as opposed to realistically viewing them as detrimental, is like dismissing the recent terrorist attacks on america.
- Argues that the notion that edna's selfish behavior is acceptable may be due to how readers interpret the role of literature on the whole.
- Introduces bloom, harold, and kate chopin's the awakening: bloom’s notes.
- Opines that chopin, kate. the awakening and selected stories. ed. sandra m. gilbert.
- Explains fox-genovese's "the awakening in the context of the experience, culture, and values of southern women."
- Describes franklin, rosemary f., "the awakening and the failure of psyche."
- Cites papke, mary e. and bernard koloski's approaches to teaching chopin’s the awakening.
- Explains patterson, katherine, and feminist issues 11.2: defining a space between awareness.
- Opines that pizer, donald, wrote a note on kate chopin's the awakening as naturalistic fiction.
- Explains rankin, elizabeth, and bernard koloski's approach to teaching chopin’s the awakening.
- Analyzes ryan, steven t., "depression and the awakening." mississippi quarterly 51.2 (spring 1998): 21 pp.
- Cites st. andrews' forbidden fruit: on the relation between women and knowledge in doris lessing, selma lagerlof, kate chopin, and margaret atwood.
- Explains woolf, cyntia griffin, and harold bloom's the awakening: bloom’s notes.
4155 wordsRead More - What Is Edna Pontellier's Sacrifice In The Awakeninganalytical essayWhen her husband and children are gone, she moves out of the house and purses her own ambitions. She starts painting and feeling happier. “There were days when she was very happy without knowing why. She was happy to be alive and breathing when her whole being seemed to be one with the sunlight, the color, the odors, the luxuriant warmth of some perfect Southern day” (Chopin 69). Her sacrifice greatly contributed to her disobedient actions. Since she wanted to be free from a societal rule of a mother-woman that she never wanted to be in, she emphasizes her need for expression of her own passions. Her needs reflect the meaning of the work and other women too. The character of Edna conveys that women are also people who have dreams and desires they want to accomplish and not be pinned down by a stereotype.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin implicitly conveys the sacrifice edna pontellier makes in the life which provides insight of her character and attributions to her "awakening."
- Analyzes how mrs. pontellier's sacrifice is her distinguishment of self-expression and independence through an insincere marriage.
- Analyzes how mrs. pontellier's vacation at the grand isle exposed her to the values of unreserved manner that established the start of her awakening from her old self.
- Analyzes how edna's sacrifice contributed to her disobedient actions. since she wanted to be free from a societal rule, she emphasizes her need for expression of her own passions.
- Analyzes how edna's sacrifice helped her establish an identity for herself, and emphasizes on the meaning of the awakening, of how women are able to define themselves as something more than a title.
- Analyzes how edna's wrongful marriage taught her of what she can accomplish and be. she represents herself as the defiant woman who values on living a free lifestyle.
905 wordsRead More - Breaking the Social Norms: Kate Chopin's The Awakeninganalytical essayThe most prevalent and obvious gender issue present in the novella was that Edna challenged cultural norms and broke societal expectations in an attempt to define herself. Editors agree, “Edna Pontellier flouts social convention on almost every page…Edna consistently disregards her ‘duties’ to her husband, her children, and her ‘station’ in life” (Culley 120). Due to this, she did not uphold what was expected of her because she was trying to be superior, and women were expected to be subordinate to men. During that time, the women were viewed as possessions that men controlled. It was the woman’s job to clean the house, cook the meals, and take care of the children, yet Edna did none of these things. Her lifestyle was much different. She refused to listen to her husband as time progressed and continually pushed the boundaries of her role. For example, during that time period “the wife was bound to live with her husban...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin's novella the awakening alienates the main character, edna pontellier, from traditional roles in family, country, church, or other social institutions.
- Analyzes how edna pontellier challenged cultural norms and broke societal expectations in an attempt to define herself.
- Analyzes how edna disobeyed the rules of society and her role as a mother. she idolized her children, worshiped her husbands, and was gratified by their absence.
- Analyzes how edna's independent nature and her disregard of societal rules caused her to lose many relationships — she broke creole social and religious customs in order to define herself.
- Analyzes edna's lack of friendships at the dinner she hosts to celebrate her moving. since she was going against conventions by moving out of her house without her husband, she did not receive as much support from her friends.
- Analyzes how edna broke social norms, causing her to lose her relationships, and ultimately lose everything she had. because of her actions and her refusal to meet expectations, she was left with nothing to live for.
- Analyzes how edna's odd relationship with her husband caused him to question her sanity and ultimately leave, never to return again in the novella.
- Analyzes how edna had to live for robert because she loved him so dearly, but he too abandoned her in the end.
- Analyzes how edna figured that the only choice for her was to commit suicide so that she could have some fragment of freedom, independence, and control.
- Analyzes how edna is left alone because no one understands her desire to redefine herself outside of traditional societal roles for women. she is defeated and returns to the womb-like embrace of the sea.
- Analyzes how edna pontellier ignored the guidelines for women in the 1800's and destroyed relationships. she broke social conventions, which damaged her reputation and relationships with her friends, husband, and children.
- Cites carley rees' book, "the awakening: a refusal to compromise." gale literature resource center.
1558 wordsRead More - It is the unwritten rule that a woman should marry, have children, and be happy and content with that as their life. Society portrays this to be a woman's rightful job and duty. A woman should act and look "proper" at all times. This is what Edna is fighting against in this novel. She feels that, though many women agree with this "known" rule, it isn't fair. For six years Edna conforms to these ideas by being a "proper" wife and mother, holding Tuesday socials and going to operas, following the same enduring schedule. It is only after her summer spent at Grand Isle that her "mechanical" lifestyle becomes apparent to her. She sees how much she is unhappy with the expectations, held by society, of her life and she wishes to erase them and live her life as she wants.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how edna pontellier is tired of living her life as a pampered and "owned" wife and mother. she is overcome with wonder, confusion, and guilt for what she believes.
- Analyzes how edna is fighting against the unwritten rule that a woman should marry, have children, and be happy and content with that as their life.
- Analyzes how edna has an independent, self-centered nature about her. her need for an uncontrolled lifestyle leaves her feeling "owned" and wanting to break that label. she cancels her tuesday socials and helps around the house doing little chores.
- Analyzes how edna pontellier's love for robert lebrun was her biggest obstacle to overcome. she wanted to be with him and love him without giving up her independence.
- Analyzes how edna is an admirable character who fought for independence against a social world that showed no mercy. her struggle and fight in the plot is inspirational and makes one realize just lucky they are to be able to speak their minds.
835 wordsRead More - The Feminist Movement In Kate Chopin's The Awakeninganalytical essayIn The Awakening, Kate Chopin tells a story during the upbringing of the feminist movement, the movement was masked by the social attitudes entering into the 1900’s. She tells this story in the form of a novel, in which is told in a third person view, that is very sympathetic for Edna Pontellier, the protagonist. This is a review of the journey Edna takes in her awakening and evaluate the effectiveness this novel takes in introducing, continuing, and ending Edna’s awakening.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin tells a story during the upbringing of the feminist movement, the movement was masked by the social attitudes entering into the 1900's.
- Analyzes how the novel provides a personal understanding into the lives of women in the twentieth trying to break free from the restraints of society.
- Opines that the main argument of the novel has been diluted through a too widened scope of edna’s life.
- Analyzes how the strength of society drowned out the feminist movement like edna drowns in the sea. chopin specifically named the wrong doings of what society was doing.
806 wordsRead More - the awakeninganalytical essayMusic Throughout The Awakening, the manner in which each of the characters uses and understands music gives us a sense of Edna’s ideological alignment in relation to the novel’s other characters. Additionally, Edna’s exploration of music and her meditations upon its significance enable her own (visual) art to flourish. Edna first learns about the emotive power of music from Mademoiselle Reisz. Whereas Adèle Ratignolle’s piano playing had merely conjured sentimental pictures for Edna, the older woman’s playing stirs new feelings and probes unexplored emotional territories in her. Mademoiselle Reisz uses music as a form of artistic expression, not merely as a way of entertaining others.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how edna's exploration of music and meditations upon its significance enable her own (visual) art to flourish. mademoiselle reisz uses music as an artistic expression, not merely as a way of entertaining others.
- Analyzes how the difference edna detects between mademoiselle reisz and adèle ratignolle's piano-playing testifies to her emotional growth.
- Analyzes how edna's images of children, and verbal allusions to them, occur throughout the novel. she is undergoing rebirth as she discovers the world from a fresh, childlike perspective.
- Analyzes how edna stays in the cottages on grand isle, madame antoine's home on the chênière caminada, the big house in new orleans, and her "pigeon house."
787 wordsRead More - The Awakening is a novel about the growth of a woman becoming her own person; in spite of the expectations society has for her. The book follows Edna Pontellier as she struggles to find her identity. Edna knows that she cannot be happy filling the role that society has created for her. She did not believe that she could break from this pattern because of the pressures of society. As a result she ends up taking her own life. However, readers should not sympathize with her for taking her own life.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the awakening follows edna pontellier as she struggles to find her identity.
- Analyzes how edna pontellier was on her way to an awakening. she realized she was not happy with her position in life.
- Analyzes how edna, on the other hand, was not a typical woman of society. the lack of constructive communication between the two could have made her more satisfied with her life.
- Analyzes how edna seems arrogant in some ways. she feels that other women are pitiful because they cannot see past the mask society placed over their faces.
- Opines that one should not sympathize with edna pontellier's suicide for these reasons, among others. she made bad choices and could not even admit them.
- Opines that it is clear that you feel very strong about the topic of which you chose to write.
992 wordsRead More