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"Her face was captivating by reason of a certain frankness of expression and a contradictory subtle play of features. Her manner was engaging" (Chopin 5).
In the beginning of the book Edna Pontellier is a obedient wife and mother vacationing at Grand Isle with her family.. Over at Grande Isle she finds herself attracted to a young man named Robert Lebrun. But sense they cant act on their love for eachother, Robert leaves for Mexico.
Theme
Plot: Turning Point/Climax
"She was seeking herself and finding herself in just sweet, half darkness which met her moods" (Chopin 44).
With Robert gone Edna is now lonely without him always around. She becomes distant from those around her barely acknowledging her husband and kids all in attempt to gain control of her own well being. shortly after her return to New Orleans (where she usually lives with her family) she begins having an affair with a man named Alcee Arobin. Even though she does not love him he awakens various sexual passions she didn't realize she had before.
"The despondent frame of mind in which she had left home began again to overtake her, and she remembered that she wished to find Mademoiselle Reisz" (Chopin 51).
Following to her sexual awakening her determination for independence is higher then every. Instead of spending her days worried about household responsibilities she begins to build her own identity, Edna begins to take up painting gaining her own money so she wouldn't have to live off of her husbands. Edna even moves into her own house. However, Edna cant get her mind off Robert and to express her struggles with him gone, she goes to Mademoiselle Reisz and she plays almost like her therapist playing her symphony to keep her calm and letting Edna read the letters Robert would write to her.
"But after all, a radiant peace settle upon her when she at last found herself alone" (Chopin 60).
By this point in the story Edna has grown very content with being alone and independent. But she is still inlove with Robert, and after being in Mexico for awhile he finally returns. When he returns he finally confesses his love for Edna and she confesses hers for him. Robert tells Edna about his desire to someday marry her but Edna however, wants to love Robert and still have her freedom. During their conversation she receives a message that her dear friend Madame Ratignolle is sick and must leave the conversation unfinished to assist her friend all in hopes that Robert will be waiting for her return,
With the strict views of society it can be hard for on to truely find thereself and be openly happy with who they are.
In the Awakening its Edna against society. Everyone had an idea on how she should behave but Edna had other ideas.. Edna had committed suicide because she realized the imposisibilty of fulffing herself as an individual and feeling like she belong as a true member of society, this causing her to feel trap like she was never really free.
"Mrs. Pontellier's eyes were quick and bright; they were a yellowish brown, about the color of her hair. She had a way of turning them swiftly upon an object and holding them there as if lost in some inward maze of comtemplation of thought" (Chopin 5)
This quote is about the main character Edna. She is a lost soul and is trying to figure out who she is. Edna is a very vibrant and beautful character and catches the eyes of many. She has wealth and a family but for some reason, does not feel like she is truely living life. This quote fits in with the characters action with the story as she makes impulsive decisions throughout, trying to find answers or that of an understanding of happiness,
"Good-by-because I love you. He did not know; he did not understand. He would never understand. Perhaps Doctor Mandelet would have understood if she had seen him- but it was too late; the shore was far behind her and her strength was gone" (Chopin 96).
When Edna returned from Adele's house she finds Robert gone with a message saying "I love you. Good-by-because I love you". It was then in that moment Edna realizes that she simply cannot have it all and she can no longer handle the restrictions of society, especially marriage. Without ever getting the chance to finish her conversation about her future with Robert, Robert leaves Edna. Heartbroken, she returns to Grand Isle. When she arrives there she goes to the beach (the first place she felt in control), she undresses herself completely naked finally feeling like she is free. She then swims far out. As she swims she thinks about her husband and kids, she thinks about Mademoiselle Reisz, and then lastly of Docter Mandelet and Robert. By the time Edna could gather her thoughts she was far out at sea and began to grow tired, she then stopped swimming and drowned committing suicide.
Theme continued
"It was then, in the presence of that personality which was offensive to her, that the women, by her devine art, seemed to reach Edna's spirit and set if free" (Chopin 66).
This quote is about Mademoiselle Reisz. She was a pianoest and her talent was well appercaited but as for her personality she was disliked by many. She played symphonys at Ednas and Mr. Pontellier house parties. Edna grew very fond of her and would go to visit Mademoiselle at her apartment and would often go to her to talk about Robert or her life in general therefore Mademoiselle was almost like Ednas therapist.
"Robert talked a good deal about himself. He was young, and did not know any better. Mrs. Pontellier talked a little about herself for the same reason. Each was interested in what the other said" (Chopin 5).
This quote is about Robert Lebruns. Edna has an affair with Robert for he was her one true love. Robert loved Enda too, and because of this the two shared a great connection conculding to an advanced stage of intimacy and friendship. But this love cuases Robert to up and leave for Mexico because he feels he will never truly be able to have Edna as his own because she is married.
"There are no words to describe her save the old ones that have served so often to picture the bygone heroine of ramance and the fair lady of our dreams" (Chopin 8).
This quote is about Edna Bestfriend Adele Ratignolle. She trys her best to keep Edna on the right track and influence her to be a better housewife and mother to her kids. However most of the time she doesnt usually listen to Adeles words but however they do end up having a major effect on Edna in the story.
"She thougt of Leonce and the children. They were a part of her life. But they need not have thought that could possess her, body and soul....The artist must possess the courageous soul that dares and defies" (Chopin 96).
Edna is both a wife and a mother of several children, whom struggles with her personal desire to rid herself of the responsibilities of family life in search for personal freedom. This internal confliction between following society demands of morality and the desires to do as she pleases regardless of the well being of those around her, morph Edna into someone of disconnect with the world and lead to her death.
This book is written in third person Omniscient. I know this because there are scenes were Edna is present and we are reading about the inner feelings within herself but what makes it omniscient are the scenes in the book were Edna is not present. With the book being written like this it helps readers understand Edna and shows us the ways Edna is seen by others in the book.
The book i read is fiction. It is a drama. i chose this book because the story line of a girl trying to find herself interested me
I learned that the author Kate Chopin was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 8, 1850. She got married to a man named Oscar Chopin in 1870. Also most of her siblings died before reaching their 20s.
External Conflict
"The gulf looked for away melting hazily into the blue of the horizon" (Chopin 4).
This quote contributes to the the setting and the mood because it informs the reader on the type of location that is being set. The mood is that of a calm and relaxing one on a normal summer day. This quote is showing how everything seems to be coming off as normal and casual.
Setting & Mood continued
"The tears came so fast from Mrs. Pontellier's eyes that the damp sleeve of her peignoir no longer served to dry them...and she went on crying...she could not have told why she was crying" (Chopin 7).
It is very clear to the readers that Edna is unhappy. Though the reason is not clear in the beginning the readers soon develop the understanding of why. The conflict is man vs society. This conflict contributes to the book because it helps readers understand why she always feels trapped, and that is because of the so-called role she has to play in society as a wife and mother. Edna, trying to escape society in attempt to live by her own rules is what keeps the story moving.
"Joe is working at the 'pigeon house'-that's the name Ellen gives it, because it is small it's so small and looks like a pigeon house" (Chopin 71).
This quote is important because it demonstrate Edna's long for freedom.
The story takes place during a time where divorce was frowned upon and gender roles were very different of that of a man and women. Because of this Edna felt trapped like she didn't have any independence and she felt like her home was not her home because it was bought with all of her husbands money. This being so Edna goes off to rent off a little house (the "pigeon house") away from her husband and children to gain the independence that comes with being alone not living to anyone else's wishes but her own.
Setting & Mood continued
"In short, Mrs. Pontellier was not a mother-women. The mother-women seemed to prevail that summer at Grand Isle" (Chopin 8).
Mrs. Pontellier's (Edna) summer at Grand Isle plays a huge part in Edna's "awakening" or realization of who she is. Her constant dips into the ocean awaken Edna into that of an empowerment because she is able to gain control. Edna feel as thought she is held down by her husbands possession. However with swimming she is able to gain control of the movement of her body.
By: Kate Chopin
Project by: Raeanne Mills
Per: 1
4/4/2016