The Awakening- Kate Chopin Post #3

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...

A FEW REMINDERS

Well done with your posts so far! By now, you should have posted two posts and at least four comments on your classmates' posts. I am very impressed with your insight, as well as pictures/graphics. Some are very funny, and it looks like you're making good real-world and modern connections with the novel. As you prepare to publish your last two posts, keep the following in mind:

• Post on time by the deadlines! Many of you are losing unnecessary points for lateness. If you forget the schedule, the guidelines are posted in the first post on here as well as on my website.
• Be sure to include textual evidence (correctly cited in MLA) in EVERY post! That's what ensures to me that you are reading.
• Lastly, you are to finish the novel by 2/29. You are at your own pace, however I am slightly concerned that many of you are still in the section of the novel before page 60. Please make sure that you are keeping up with your reading each night/week. 
• If for whatever reason, you cannot post, EMAIL IT TO ME (dlucia@bhprsd.org). That way, you will not be counted against for lateness. 

Happy reading and posting!

Dinner Table Tales

The concerned husband that Mr. Pontellier is seeks medical help for his wife. He believes something is wrong with her, there must be, her behavior is very odd for a women. Mr. Pontellier requests an old friend, Dr. Mandelet to come visit his home and evaluate Edna during dinner one evening. The doctor agrees to, and dinner time stories are told. Mr. Mandelet tells the story of, “… the waning of a woman’s love, seeking strange, new channels, only to return to its legitimate source after days of fierce unrest.” (Chopin 95) Although the doctor doesn’t come out and say it, he is telling the story of Edna. Edna seeks a new kind of love from Robert, just like the woman in the story. This doctor’s story also shows some foreshadowing that Edna will cheat but eventually wish to return to her husband after all. From Dr. Mandelet’s tale brings about Edna’s story. Edna’s story tells of “… a woman who paddled away with her lover one night in a pirogue and never came back.” (Chopin 95). Edna’s story tells of a different ending where the woman never returns. This could also be showing what Edna believes she is going to do with Robert.  These simple dinner time stories tell more than what is simply superficial.

Freedom

Edna seems to be searching for freedom, and when we meet her father it seems obvious why. Maybe when she was growing up her father put into her head that she needs to marry a rich man who will control her. Maybe she only settled for Mr. Pontellier because she didn’t think she would find someone who she actually loved or maybe was even rushed into marriage. Her father said: “’You are too lenient by far, Leonce,’ asserted the colonel. ‘Authority, coercion are what is needed. Put your foot down good and hard; the only way to manage a wife. Take my word for it.’” (Chopin 96) Her father saying these things is kind of messed up, he’s basically telling his daughters husband to control her, which we know now in modern times that that’s absurd. All these feelings of yearning for freedom arising in her might be because she’s realizing that she doesn’t need someone to control her; she can make her own decisions and be happy on her own. She probably hasn’t realized this before because everyone was telling her that she couldn’t be on her own or find anybody else. Robert could even have influenced this change of heart because she actually feels something for him. She could have finally realized that she could actually be happy, instead of barely content with her husband and children, with someone she really does love and enjoys to be around. It’s sad to think that she would leave her kids, but it’s obvious she never really wanted them. They could be a reminder of all the love at isn’t there with Mr. Pontellier. I could be wrong, but I think Edna wants to completely rid herself of Mr. Pontellier, and that includes her own children. Maybe they will stay with their dad, or they will stay in Iberville. 

Edna's thoughts

Chapter 7 has grown to be my favorite so far in the novel because it shows the seclusion of Edna and her thoughts. Overall, she likes to keep her thoughts and feelings to herself because simply, she's independent and has thoughts that aren't necessarily socially exceptable. For example, when her and Adèle were by the sea, Adèle asked Edna what she was thinking. Her response was "The hot wind beating in my face made me think- without any connection that I can trace- of a summer day in Kentucky, of a meadow that seemed as big as the ocean to the very little girl walking through the grass, which was higher than her waist" (pg 21). While listening to this reflection, Adèle normally assumed Edna was feeling quite homesick and sullen, so she caresses her hand, but that's not the case. Edna is confused by this gesture because she missed nothing about home! She left the family she never bonded with and her self-centered friends behind. Edna much rather be here than back there, (but she keeps this to herself instead of sharing it with the family enthusiast, of course). Hearing Edna's overthrowing thoughts is what keeps me interested to read more.
http://youtu.be/2gK-VexgwzQ

Hidden Symbolism?

As the story progresses you can see that Mrs. Pontellier and Madame Ratignolle are becoming rather close. Good example is the scene in chapter seven where they both share some deep ideas with each other. However there is a little bit of symbolism/ possible foreshadowing in that same scene as well. As stated in the scene there are two lovers are cuddled under a children's tent that the two women can see from their view from the porch. Also, there is another woman in black seated near them as well. Now why would Chopin mentions specifically that the woman is wearing black? Black is usually not a good sign, usually a color associated with death, and other heinous dark things. So what I could build from this scene is that two young lovers are in the same picture as the lady in black. Can this possibly foreshadow a negative outcome of a relationship further in the novel?

Edna Pontellier

Throughout this novel we see many sides of Edna and her different feelings and desires. Also there are symbols that embody her and represent her emotions. Such as a parrot shown at this gathering where all the visitors were present and there was music dancing discussions etcetera. This parrot kept interrupting the normality and celebration of this night. The parrot was deemed annoying and a pestilence. "Old Monsieur Farival, grandfather of the twins, grew indignant over the interruption, and insisted upon having the bird removed and cosigned to regions of darkness."(Chopin 31) In a way Edna embodies this parrot because just like the bird she feels like a pestilence or a interruption to what is considered normal. She is not like those around her and if she were to voice her opinions and such she'd be more of an outcast then she already is. She does not pay attention to the entertainment and does not belong nor is she the norm of what women are supposed to be at that time. Later on that night she sits out on her porch at some 1 am in the morning as her husband comes home. He tries to convince her to come inside and of course the rebel she is she refuses she likes sitting out there. He then snaps at her faintly and says a few mean inconsiderate things and she snaps right back and shows a little authority. "Don't speak to me like that again; I shall not answer you."(Chopin 40). As a wife and general woman you were not supposed to speak to a man this way you were to obey your husband and do as you were told. Showing this type of defiance was highly frowned upon and considered taboo.