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This handout provides a comprehensive background on Kate Chopin's "The Awakening," focusing on author biography, social context, and the novel's intricate exploration of women's roles within society. We delve into Edna Pontellier's psychological development influenced by her Creole surroundings and the contrasting attitudes of characters. Thematic discussions include the significance of rebellion, identity, and symbolism through nature, color, and music, alongside character studies revealing the complexities of Edna's relationships. This analysis invites readers to reevaluate the intricacies of femininity and self-discovery.
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The Awakening Kate Chopin
Background (handout) • Author biography • Social context of novel
“local color” novel Variance of the roles of women and their relationships with men in different settings Customs and beliefs of Edna Pontellier’s society significant in relation to her psychological development Attitudes/tendencies in Creole characters in contrast with Edna’s (differences between speculation and action) References to religion – contrast in Edna, Creoles, and Kentucky Presbyterians
Setting Grand Isle, LA A much freer place
Setting New Orleans, LA Society freer than Kentucky but still with social constraints
Character Study – relationship to Edna Females • Mme. Adele Ratignolle – mother-woman • Mlle. Reisz– her own person, misunderstood, artist • Lady in Black – results of love (always following behind lovers) • Mariequita – affairs don’t matter • Mrs. Highcamp– female counterpart to Alcée Males • Léonce– Edna married to escape her father, who was an alcoholic gambler • Robert – contrasts with Alcée • Alcée– contrasts with Robert • Colonel – Léonce needs to “control” his woman • Dr. Mandalet– intrinsically knows there is another man, but doesn’t tell Léonce
Literary Foils (representative of choice) • There is always choice. There is seldom perception of choice. Some choice make others harder or easier or necessary.
Imagery • Nature • parrot: “Go away” – Léonce wants to be left alone; Edna wants Léonce to go away • expansive spaces: sea, meadow (freedom); • confining spaces: pidgeon house • Music • Reisz– plays with Edna/s emotions • Edna doesn’t want Victor to sing the song Robert sang
Imagery cont. • Color • (yellow & red) – love; anger – w/ Robert • dinner with yellow table cloth; happy color • dinner party & beyond when she gets closer to destroying herself, the two colors blend
Symbolism • The Sea (how you interpret this depends on interpretation of ending) • freedom to Edna, when she learns to swim, death • Birds/Wings • caged bird or free bird; weak or strong • mockingbird, parrot, pigeon • Sleep/Dreams • Edna sleeps a lot; when sleeps in house with Léonce, she can’t sleep; sleeps soundly at a house with Robert, wakes feeling refreshed; sleeps soundly alone
Symbolism cont. • Violets • Madame Reisz’s fake violets • way she moves is crippled – result of being alone? • The Lovers (not married?) • sooner or later, one is going to die; Lady in Black is result
Is it better to have glimpsed and lost then never to have seen independence at all? Irony - the awakening as a trap If she remains married or with a lover, she is back to the beginning of the Awakened circle (because she is man’s perception).
Point of View vs. Perspective • How does the point of view affect the novella? • How would the novella be affected if it were narrated by Edna? Edna as Heroine • Ending as result of Edna’s strengths or weaknesses • Ending as victory or defeat • Ending as result of other characters • Edna as a realistic character
Themes • Rebellion (defiance vs. defiant acts) • Edna • Alcée • Reisz • Awakening (conscious vs. unconscious) • understanding lacked before • The Definition of Womanhood • What qualities are valued as a woman? “home happy”?
