An Analysis of The Awakening
The first thing I would like to do is go through and pick out the chapters I found to be significant in the novel.
Chapter 1: *there is symbolism of a well trained “caged” bird, (like we read in the hypertext) which represents what wives were to be in Edna’s lifetime *well trained *speaks of pleasantries *begins with Summer a time of beauty, fullness and fruition *Grand Isle *vacation from New Orleans life (imprisonment) *ends at Summer after 1 yr *this vacation follows Edna back to New Orleans where she gradually begins to see how trapped she really is *it is after this vacation that Edna begins to “awake” Chapter 2: *Edna was from Kentucky and married a Creole *this is a conflict in religion *she is Presbetyrian and he’s Catholic *this presents a problem for Edna for she has to live a Catholic life style Chapter 3: *we first see here the marital problems that M&M Pontellier have *the ideals of what Mr. Pontellier expects of Edna *looking after the children was very important *marital state: bored, unlively, becomes more depressing on her *impt: Edna’s breakdown, her crying Chapter 4: *Adele, the perfect woman *embodies all the qualities of what a woman-mother should be *she’s been married 7 yrs and has a child about every 2 yrs, again fullfilling her womanly and motherly duties. *her identity seems to be consumed by having children and her current “state” Chapter 7: *this chapter we see Edna begin to slip away, she doesn’t pay as much attention to things *daydreaming/ Adele asks her a question and Edna is not with her Chapter 10: *Edna learns to SWIM!!!!!!! very impt. *she gains control of her body *the sea becomes her friend, close, intimate, sensuous Chapter 11: *this section we see a bit of Edna’s rebellious nature *her husband commands her and Edna says “NO!” Chapter 17: *we see yet another confrontation between M&M Pontellier, more marital problems *I think we also begin to see ore hatred and violence under the surface of her husband *we also see another problem, Tuesday was to be the “calling” day and Edna wasn’t prepared for the callers, she realizes that she no longer cares to do the things that her husband wants her to Chapter 24: *Edna’s father comes for a visit *he also portrays that the females should submit to the males *males are dominant?
Throughout the novel the reader gets a clear sense of Edna Pontellier's peculiar mind and her manic depressive state. She is continually plagued by the moment. Her mood shifts from highs to lows show the reader that a sadness is perpetually within her:
“He helped shape the agenda of the sixties – socially and politically, no less than musically” (“John Lennon”). John Lennon was extremely influential to the world during his lifetime, and mainly during the sixties. He fueled many movements with his strong willed beliefs in peace and happiness. The actions and music of John Lennon drastically altered how many people viewed the world around them during the sixties and throughout his entire life.
Edna learning to swim while at Grand Isle is significant. At first, a certain ungovernable dread hung about her when she was in the water, unless there was a hand (presumably a man’s) near by that might reach out and reassure her.19 As she gains confidence, like a “little tottering, stumbling, clutching child, who of a sudden realizes its powers”20 she swims farther out than she has before, though her husband is watching from the beach to reassure her when she admits she thought she might not make it back to land. It isn’t until after she returns to New Orleans that she becomes fully aware of herself and the hopeless situation she is in. She attempts independence, moving out of the family home and into a smaller one in a slightly worse part of town. She tries to nurture her artistic inclinations and beings an affair with a local playboy, but continues to be dissatisfied with life. Adele Ratignolle’s domestic bliss depresses her, and shortly after his return Robert quickly abandons her, supposedly with the best of intentions. Driven back to Grand Isle where her awakening began, “like some new-born creature,”21 Edna swims out to sea with no intention of returning. She admits to herself that one affair would lead to another, and she would eventually forget Robert.
As the novel starts out Edna is a housewife to her husband, Mr. Pontellier, and is not necessarily unhappy or depressed but knows something is missing. Her husband does not treat her well. "...looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage." She is nothing but a piece of property to him; he has no true feelings for her and wants her for the sole purpose of withholding his reputation. "He reproached his wife with her inattention, her habitual neglect of the children. If it was not a mother's place to look after children, whose on earth was it?" Mr. Pontellier constantly brings her down for his own satisfaction not caring at all how if affects Edna.
The Second Great Awakening was a time of religious experimentation and spiritual gain to the newly formed nation of America. The British colonies were settled by many individuals who were looking for a place to worship their own Christian religion, without the fear of persecution. America then arose as a religious nation. With these newly found, but strong beliefs came a fear of secularism. The fear of secularism had arisen during the Enlightenment and resulted in the First Great Awakening. The Second Great Awakening occured in 1800.
Women’s role in society has changed greatly since World War II. In The Awakening by Kate Chopin, and Children of Light by Robert Stone, Edna Pontellier and Lu Anne Bourgeois are both mothers and wives who lived in different time periods. Women’s roles have changed since WWII and this paper will compare and contrast it with The Awakening and Children of Light.
The 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...
“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.
The First Great Awakening was an extremely important religious revival that moved through the American colonies. This spiritual revival took place in the American colonies around 1730 to 1760. The First Great Awakening was able to gain a lot of momentum because of the influential preaching that taught the citizens of these colonies that the only way to salvation was by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. Many of the colonists believed that they lived proper and just lives by attending church and doing good deeds. It was by the strong influential preaching that took place during the Great Awakening that preachers informed these believers that their works and good deeds would not save them; only salvation through
John Lennon was born on October 9th 1940 in Liverpool, England 1. His father left the family to sail the seas before Lennon’s earliest childhood memory and his mother was taken away by a car accident when he was 18 2. A year after his mother’s death, the Vietnam War took place, which is The United State’s longest military dispute ever. The world famous band, The Beatles, debut on 1961 not long after the start of the war and through this band, Lennon was able to demonstrate his feelings to the people across the world. "Revolution," performed by The Beatles, was created in 1968, when the anti-war demonstration was on the move. After the separation of The Beatles in 1969, Lennon composed the song "Imagine" (1971) 3. This song proves that Lennon is a Peace-Loving-Atheist and a "Voluntarist" 4 that believes in the scheme that people’s ideas can change social reality; however simultaneously admits that there are constantly wars going on in the world. As a result, he could be a mixture of all four, Realist, Liberal, Marxist and Constructivist. On December 8th 1980, approximately five years after the end of the Vietnam War, Lennon was assassinated by Mark Chapman 5. It is not for certain that the word assassination could be used on a singer, song writer who also published books. However there is no doubt about the fact that Lennon touched many people’s hearts around the world and maybe was even praised as an almighty figure.
A hero is someone who is admired for their courage and bravery, as well as their noble accomplishments. They are respected by almost everyone, due to their kindness and charitable mindset, that drives them to fight for the good of others. Beowulf is the perfect representation of a hero, based on multiple characteristics that he displays throughout the novel. Along with his characteristics, Beowulf also takes on many “hero like” challenges and tasks. In the novel, Beowulf is praised and admired throughout the kingdom for his bravery, humility, and selflessness.
Beowulf displayed great courage and honor throughout his journeys and battles; he was an epic hero. An epic hero is a person who is viewed as larger than life and possesses values of a certain society. From the time of Beowulf’s battle with Grendel to his brawl against the dragon, he has showed everyone what being an honorable hero looks like. His heroism is revealed through both youth as a young warrior and wisdom as a reliable king. He never backed down and didn’t give up when situations were tough. Beowulf had obligations to fulfill and went about every aspect of his life with courage and strength. He cared for his people and was willing to take on anyone that threatened them or his kingdom. He sincerely was the hero of his time.
Her novel was considered immoral not only for its depictions of female sexual desire but also for portraying a woman that went against the typical social and gender norms. When the book opens, Edna Pontellier is an obedient wife and mother vacationing at Grand Isle with her family. However, things begin to change as Edna becomes close to a man named Robert Lebrun. Before they act on their mutual romantic interest in each other, Robert leaves for Mexico. Edna is lonely without his companionship, but shortly after her return to New Orleans, she picks up the male equivalent of a mistress, Alcee Arobin. Although she does not love him, he awakens various sexual passions within
Beowulf’s first accomplishment as an epic hero was his battle with Grendel. Grendel was a huge beast, a descendent of Cain, who ruthlessly murdered innocent Danes because he felt pity for himself. Upon hearing of the Dane’s problem, Beowulf set off to help the Danish without having been called upon. Even though Beowulf had men backing him, He drew battle with Grendel alone and without armor or weapons. Yet, Beowulf emerged victorious with the arm of Grendel as his trophy. Beowulf then went on to kill Grendel’s vengeful mother and a huge fire-breathing dragon who thought it had been done wrong by the Geats. Alas, the killing of the dragon would be Beowulf’s last great battle for the dragon took Beowulf’s life in the struggle for his own.
I very much enjoyed this story, almost hard to believe that it was written in 1899! I can imagine that it was very shocking to read of a womans sexual awakening.