In Chapter 19 of The
Awakening, there comes another situation where Edna’s mothering skills come
into question. It seems as if Edna has been spending the majority of her time
painting rather then caring for her family. As said in the book, “It seems to
me the utmost folly for a woman at the head of a household, and the mother of
children, to spend in an atelier days which would be better employed contriving
for the comfort of her family” (Chopin 76-77). He compares her to Adele, her
friend, because Adele cares a lot about her family and doesn’t allow her love
of music to get in the way of that. “There’s Madame Ratignolle; because she
keeps up her music, she doesn’t let everything else go to chaos. And she’s more
of a musician than you are a painter” (Chopin 77). Once again, this is not the
first time Mr. Pontellier has confronted his wife about not giving their kids
enough attention...
I agree completely. As a mother children should always be a priority. But with Roberts absense maybe Edna will realize she needs to take better care of her children.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with both you and Eva. Edna is neglecting her children even though she has a nanny, she should be caring for her children. Someone needs to call DYFS on her because this is child abuse. If it would existed back then.
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