Although
some may say that my title is misleading, that she wasn’t born in the ocean 29
years before, I’m here to say that although her literal “life” didn’t start in
the ocean where she died, her figurative life began right in the spot her
literal life ended. Her first time in the ocean, or her “figurative birth” is
on page 73 where Chopin states, “A feeling of exultation overtook her, as if
some power of significant import had been given her control the working of her
body and her soul. She grew daring and reckless, overestimating her strength.
She wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before.”(Chopin 73). Then
again she enters the ocean once more on the very last page of the story where
she is pictured swimming out into the ocean, reaching the distance she desired
from her first experience and recalling the moment. Chopin wrote, “She went on and on. She remembered
the night she swam far out, and recalled the terror that seized her at the fear
of being unable to regain the shore. She did not look back now, but went on and
on.” (Chopin 176). When comparing the two situations that are nearly one
hundred pages apart, there is a difference in her tone and her overall aura. From
her first encounter with the ocean, she becomes such a different person and
that marks the beginning of her new life. She becomes no longer subservient (VOCAB
WORD BOOYAH) to her husband and becomes an independent woman in a society who doesn’t
support it. In her last moment in the sea, she walking outward to "freedom" or in other words her death. It is a great element that Chopin incorporates by starting her new
life and ending it in the same position to show her growth as a character. So
farewell to a great character who was a inspiration. RIP.
I wrote something vaguely similar without even realizing it. I found it to be quite strange that both discoveries of life and death were found in the water alone. Coincidence? Also, nice vocab I see you.
ReplyDeleteI wrote something vaguely similar without even realizing it. I found it to be quite strange that both discoveries of life and death were found in the water alone. Coincidence? Also, nice vocab I see you.
ReplyDeleteWow, Ken I like how you compared the whole beginning as the ending. I also totally agree with Robin^^ with how she discovered life and death in the water itself. The ending though, made me quite annoyed at how it ended so abruptly and in a boring way instead of something dramatic. And LOL I studied that vocab word !!
ReplyDeletethis is very true and I didn't realize the connection until now when you bring it up. but overall it was a good book that I enjoyed reading. Edna's character gave me pointers on how not to be as a mother or wife.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I wrote that the ocean had symbolized her death and 'giving-in' to society, I understand and also completely agree with your viewpoint as well. I think that the death of Edna may represent either-or, however it is entirely up to the reader.
ReplyDeleteI am so fascinated with your use of a vocabulary word in this blog post. I love that you connected something we learned in English class to another aspect of our schoolwork. Our posts are very much in common as I, too, wrote about Edna's life and the ocean! I guess great minds think alike LOL :')
ReplyDeleteDude this was so great. I completely and 100% agree with like everything you said. I like how you gave the story the circle ending. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, I really like how you circled the ending to the beginning. I agree how the two are connected, she commits suicide in the same social and mental status as she began with.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing while I was reading it. It's amazing that Edna's life ended where it "started." I also love the fact that you used a vocab word!
ReplyDelete