Friday, December 4, 2015

The Awakening Post #4




As stated in the article, the Creoles saw themselves as urban and sophisticated and a refined style of European living was their aspiration. The Creole community had a strong impact on Mrs. Pontellier attitudes. Mrs. Pontellier felt as though she was an outsider because she was not originally from the Creole community, and Mrs. Pontellier’s feelings proved correct when Mrs. Ratignolle said “She is not one of us; she is not like us.”(Chopin 64) 

Perhaps Mrs. Pontellier’s sprouting feelings of anger and oppression were not caused by her marriage with Leonce, but due to the fact she is looked down upon in a community that is newer to her.  A person can only take being ignored or disrespected for so long before they will feel frustrated and upset.  Mrs. Pontellier begins to dislike Leonce because he is her direct link to the Creole community. If she unlinks herself from Leonce, then she will not have to be near the people that solicit her negative emotions. Her feeling of discrimination could be the reason that Mrs. Pontellier attached herself to Robert. Even though Robert was popular throughout the Creole community, he still treated Mrs. Pontellier how he treats others, and eventually he even feel in love with her. Robert shows how he is different from other members of the Creole society by saying “I hope she has discernment enough to find in me something besides the blagueur. If I thought there was any doubt- “(Chopin 64) Robert’s attitude of treating everyone the same made him standout to Mrs. Pontellier.

Blog Post #4

     Edna's romantic expectations concerning Robert add to her naivety as a character. She has unrealistic expectations for their relationship and thought that Robert would simply forget her past and see her only as the independent woman she grew to become. Robert's morals insist that he call Edna, Mrs. Pontellier. Edna is comfortable with solidifying their union through adultery, but Robert is not. Even though Robert has returned from Mexico, he is still just as unavailable to Edna. Though Edna has ceased to see herself as a possession, Robert feels that the reason they cannot be together is because Edna belongs to Leoncé. When Edna and Robert finally discuss their relationship he admits the root of the problem is ownership, and the transfer of it from Leoncé to himself. But he then goes on to describe such an act as simply "vague, [and] mad intentions" (Chopin 167). Robert is more concerned with the logistics of the relationship than his love for Edna. Edna had seen Robert as the final step towards her liberation, but in reality he would only allow her to exist within the Victorian man and wife dynamic. Edna realizes this and pokes fun at Robert's conservative views: "If [Leoncé] were to say, 'Here, Robert, take her and be happy; she is yours,' I should laugh at you both" (Chopin 167). Before Edna leaves Robert to tend to Madame Ratignolle he reveals his deeply rooted passion for Edna by begging her to stay. "Her seductive voice... had enthralled his senses..." (Chopin 168) but Robert's passions are not strong enough to further pursue Edna. Robert was forced to choose between his morality and feelings of affection. It only makes sense that Edna's last resort to achieve freedom was suicide. Whether it be Leoncé, Arobin, or Robert, she would still be confined to Victorian Social norms. Her mindset proved to be before her time and therefore she decided to relinquish herself from her shackles. 
Throughout the entire story Edna was seen as a caged bird. Her end was characterized by the fluttering exhaustion of a bird with a broken wing. Edna knew she would always remain a caged domesticated bird if she had lived. 



Thursday, December 3, 2015

The Awakening (Post #4)


"He did not know; he did not understand. He would never understand." (176)

The irony in Edna’s final thoughts before she commits suicide is rather comical. All throughout The Awakening Edna was a naïve character. She didn’t understand her feelings for Robert until she left. She didn’t understand that Robert loved her back. She probably didn’t even understand that her feminist actions were improper and would lead to repercussions. However in nature of being a dynamic character, Edna changes. In the short time before her suicide, Edna finally understands how confined she really is. Edna would rather keep her “body and soul” (176) over being in a relationship with the man she loves. In order for Edna to truly have control over her life, she understands that she has to take it away.

The last part of the book really focuses on Edna’s true awakening from a naïve girl to an experienced woman. Chopin uses very specific diction in order to capture how different Edna is from the rest of her society. Edna witnesses Madame Ratignolle “with a flaming, outspoken revolt against the ways of Nature” (170). It was the very nature of women to have children during the time period, yet watching her friend give birth gives Edna “inward agony” (170). Edna’s suicide itself though is very anti-climatic. Edna simply sinks while there is “the hum of bees and the musky odor of pinks” (176). Chopin may be suggesting that while Edna’s suicide is a major decision for Edna, it ultimately doesn’t stop the nature of things from continuing. However drowning was a very common way for Victorian women to commit suicide. Chopin, through Edna, could also be alluding to the deaths of actual Victorian women who committed suicide by drowning themselves.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

The Awakening (blog #4)

In The Awakening, Edna says, “[P]erhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one’s life” (171). This quotation accurately portrays Edna’s situation and choices throughout the story.
Edna awakens from her unhealthy marriage in the beginning of the book. She realizes how Mr. Pontellier causes “an indescribable oppression… [to fill] her whole being” after spending her summer at Grand Isle (49). She admits that previously “the abundance of her husband’s kindness and [his] uniform devotion” blinded her from his controlling behaviors (49). After opening her eyes and understanding the reality of her marriage, she breaks free by purchasing her own house. Despite “[descending] in the social scale,” she “[rises] in the spiritual [scale]” and “[expands] as an individual,” which leads to her so-called freedom and happiness (151).
Towards the end of the story, Edna awakens once more with the help of Madame Ratignolle. Edna continues to live in an illusion as she believes she has full control over her life: she is “no longer one of Mr. Pontellier’s possessions” (167). She naively confesses to Robert, “We shall be everything to each other. Nothing else… is of any consequence” (168). However, Madame Ratignolle drags Edna out of her fantasy by reminding her to “think of [her] children” (170). Her children are her “antagonists” who prevent her from obtaining true freedom (175). As a result, by waking up from her delusion, Edna is able to obtain complete independence by committing suicide. She becomes “some new-born creature” during the process (175).

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Unlike Edna, who believes “waking up” conquers all, Daisy believes “remaining a dupe” shields a girl from severe hardships. Is it better to be aware of reality or be oblivious to the world?