The Awakening Part 1

 Word Count: 307

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

"I would give up the unessential; I would give up my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself" (Chopin, 47).

"In short, Mrs. Pontellier was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an individual to the world within and about her" (Chopin, 13).

    The first quotation, I think, is the most interesting concept in the novella. Edna states to her close friend that she would not give herself for her children, but she would give anything else, even her life. This might relate back to the idea that Edna is a bad "mother-woman," but I believe Chopin meant something very different by this. I think this is a statement about individuality. If Edna does not have herself, as in her personality and her individual characteristics, she would have nothing. She would have nothing to give to her children; she could do nothing for them. One might think that this idea means Edna values herself over her children, but, rather, it means that she values her children too much to give them nothing.

    This idea of individuality is also communicated in the second quotation. This moment of understanding is what leads to her tell her friend that she would never give herself for her children. She now understands the concept of individuality and its' importance. This concept is continually brought up in works about artists. Once they understand their importance as a person within themself, they can never go back. Integrating this new knowledge is usually difficult for the artist, as it is with Edna. She struggles to be a good wife, friend, and mother in the traditional way because she wants to explore her new self. Edna must rediscover what she truly wants in her life, rather than what she has been taught to want. She must look in new places for peace and happiness. Chopin demonstrates not only an artist's struggle during this time but also a woman's struggle. If a man wanted to present himself as an individual, it would be shocking, but not as horrid as it would be if a woman wanted to do the same.

Comments

  1. Rachael BadeauMarch 23, 2021 at 7:04 AM

    I like the way that you analyzed the first quote and spoke about individuality. I think you're right in the fact that Chopin was meaning to show Edna's individuality instead of just showing that she is a bad mom. This being said, it is interesting to me that Chopin would choose this route, even though it has a good message behind it, because parents today would give anything for their child, including themselves.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wendell EppsMarch 31, 2021 at 10:03 PM

    The first quote you chose is truly a fascinating one. Typically most good parents in today's society would say that they would give themselves up for the sake of their children because they want to be there for them and protect them. In this case, I agree with you on the point that this quote was more for the purpose of displaying the individuality of Edna. She is different from other women and one that is going to make sure she does what's best for her to put her in the most astounding situations possible. Her self confidence was something that drove her as this story went on and her independence was a big factor in this text until the very end. Edna was always striving to be the best she could possibly be and I felt as though if she knew she could do that then she could give her kids everything she wanted, similar to what you said. She certainly faced many struggles as you touched in during the analysis of your second quote, but she made things work as much as she could. I really enjoyed seeing how you connected individuality to Edna as a character because her personality really plays a pivotal part into how this story shapes out. Terrific job!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mrs. Dalloway

 Word Count: 279 Mrs. Dalloway      I chose the scene when Pete and Clarissa are arguing about their future. Clarissa has chosen not to marry Peter, but instead marry Richard Dalloway. She feels safe with Richard, and he does not have the same extravagant expectations for Clarissa like Peter does. Peter wants her to do more with her life than stay at home and be a mother and wife, but that is not what she wants. This is a direct contrast from the other novels we have read. In these other novels, women want to marry for love and do more with their lives than stay at home. We explicitly see this in The Awakening  by Kate Chopin. In The Awakening , Edna yearns for a life more than what she has been given. We also see the older Mrs. Dalloway contemplate on this point. She wonders if she made the correct decisions when she was younger. This contemplation is very interesting, because she was given other options when she was young, and other young women of the time were not.      I think this
Read more

Silas Marner Part 2

Word Count: 280 Silas Marner  by George Eliot  "The vindication of the loved object is the best balm affection can find words for its wounds: - 'A man must have so much on his mind,' is the belief by which a wife often supports a cheerful face under rough answers and unfeeling words" (Eliot, 135).     This quotation expresses Nancy's thoughts when she soothes herself. It seems that many wives during this time live under the impression that their husbands must always be correct, and any problem that arises is the fault of the woman. While this might not have been true, it is the impression Eliot creates throughout this novel when depicting traditional marriage. The only woman who crosses her husband was Molly, and she dies while trying to expose her unconventional and secret marriage. This directly demonstrates the consequences a woman suffers once defying her husband.      Nancy experiences extreme guilt about her lack of siring a child for her husband. For both N
Read more

"Eve's Apology in Defense of Women"

 Word Count: 259 "Eve's Apology in Defense of Women" by Aemilia Lanyer "And then to lay the fault on Patience' back, / That we (poor women) must endure it all;" "If Eve did err, it was for knowledge' sake, / The fruit being fair persuaded him to fall:" (Lanyer)     These quotations from the second stanza of the poem depict Lanyer's feelings about the story of Adam and Eve. Many blame Eve for the fall of man, but Lanyer argues that she is not the one to condemn. The second quotation explains why Eve took to fruit: she wanted to have the knowledge which the serpent told her was vital, while Adam ate because the fruit was "fair."  The first quotation exemplifies the hardships women still must endure because so many misinterpret the tale.      Lanyer's reasoning in this poem aligns with the current feminist movement, which was probably very controversial at the time of her writing this. This begs the question: why did she write th
Read more