The Awakening is a novel by Kate Chopin, first published in 1899 (see 1899 in literature). Set in New Orleans and the Southern Louisiana coast at the end of the nineteenth century, the plot centers around Edna Pontellier and her struggle to reconcile her increasingly unorthodox views on femininity and motherhood with the prevailing social attitudes of the turn-of-the-century South. It is one of the earliest American novels that focuses on women's issues without condescension. It is also widely seen as a landmark work of early feminism.
Jamie: I went into this book with a little apprehension. I thought that the book was mainly based on the character's "sexual awakening" and was a little worried that the content would be too risqué. But I kept telling myself that it was the 1800's, I mean how risqué could it be? The answer is not at all. I mean Twilight was 10 times worse so my fears were definitely ungrounded. For the time, I'm sure it was very scandalous but compared to modern literature, it was nothing. The being said, this book was short, I read it within a few hours and it was definitely a roller coaster of sorts for me. My first impressions were that I found it hard to grasp the relationship between Edna, the main character and Robert. How was it that her husband was not at all phased by their intimate friendship? I guess it has something to do with their culture, but it seems out of place in the standards of the 1800's. I also initially had sympathy for Edna, who seemed to have fallen into a marriage with a man she didn't really love. But by the end of the book I was sick of her and all of her issues. Her "awakening" seemed more like a symptom of some sort of mood disorder. She was constantly up and down, happy and sad, loving towards her husband and then cold, loved her children and then resented them. I definitely wouldn't consider myself a Adele Ratignolle, the image of a self sacrificing mother and wife, but even I had to roll my eyes at Edna and all of her actions by the end of the book. Now, I'm not great at seeing the deeper meaning in literature so my review is mainly on the plot and story line. I plan on checking out SparkNotes to get a deeper understanding of the book but wanted to write this first so that I wouldn't be influenced by that. I'm interested to see what Erin says because she is better at that sort of thing than me. I might come back later and add to this post once I've researched the book a little more.
Jamie - Me again :) Erin's being lazy and hasn't posted yet! I spent the last 30 minutes or so looking over all the SparkNotes for this book and have come to the conclusion that I am not destined to be a Lit Major. There was so much stuff that went right over my head as I was reading. I'm sure it comes from years and years of reading "fluff" books so hopefully this whole process will make me a more insightful reader.... hopefully. Here are a few things I missed because they weren't plainly spoken about like I am use to. First of all, I didn't realize that Adele was pregnant the whole book! I mean I know they mentioned that she kept referring to her condition but the narrator almost made it seem like she was making it all up or that she just had a weak constitution. The whole chapter about the actual birth was really confusing to me and then I kind of figured out she must have been pregnant but I'm not sure where in the book we were suppose to know that. Another HUGE thing I missed is that I didn't realize that Edna and Alcee had a sexual affair. I mean I knew they spent a lot of time together and I knew there was some kissing and intimacy there but I didn't realize it had crossed that line. I guess I need a little more directness to catch onto things like that! Other than those two major misses in the plot, I also missed almost all of the symbols and such. Erin, did you get the whole symbolism with the birds the first time through? What about the symbolism with the widow and the lovers? Hmm, like I said, hopefully by the end of all of this I will be a little better at all of this stuff! Another question for Erin, what did you think of the ending? Was it a final act of awakening and independence or was it a desperate act of defeat?
Erin (the smarter sister): Yes, it has taken one million years to finally comment on The Awakening. My apologies. I disagree with my darling sister for most of the part. I find that she is being rather harsh towards poor Edna! Yes, it may seem like she has some sort of mood disorder at times but don't you remember being in love Jamie? It tends to turn a woman slightly crazy, especially for one who seemed to have only unrealistic romantic interests (ie: the cavalry officer, engaged young man, and famous actor) before marrying. She was caught up in infatuation with the actor when she met and married her husband, only to realize after they were married that she must close off her romantic whimsies and dreams and become a dignified wife. And then of course children followed, which she willingly admits she wasn't really "mother" material. Even before her awakening she had a distant affection for them, not the passion that many other mothers, including Adele, possessed. Plus, in those days, it was easier to put some distance between mother and child since the children's nursemaids were doing most of the raising. So put poor, distant Edna into a summer-long vacation where she her constant companion is a young fellow almost her age and something is sure to happen. I agree with Jamie that it was unusual the Creole (aristocrat of French and Spanish heritage) saw no problem with this young fellow devoting his time and energy to young married women each summer. Their culture seemed to imply that flirtation and admiration were accepted and the husbands felt no jealousy or concern. Edna was not raised in this enviroment so when Robert (the young man) attached himself to her, she began her awakening or self-discovery. She fell in love with a man that seemed to love her and, for once, this love was real and achievable (despite the fact she was married). Unfortunately Robert failed to see that she was in love with him and willing to do anything to be with him. He went away for a while and that was the time Edna really got moody. Stilll striving to discover her true self, the self that was willing to admit she wasn't so attached to children or spouse, she was caught up in the throes of love and yearning and disappointment. I think most of us girls could relate, think of the depression poor Bella dived into after Edward left her in Twilight! I don't hear you picking on Bella! And furthermore, in those days women had a specific role and domestic sphere in which they were expected to commit to. None of this free-thinking women who want passion in their life! So no, I don't hold Edna 100% accountable for her crazy actions. I felt the ending was a bit extreme, but at the same time, their was no place for her in 1800s society; she wasn't a loving mother or wife and the devotion to Robert was lost. Hopelessness would be hard to withstand for long in a rigid society. Obviously, this book was not well received when it was published. But with readers raised upon Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott, Edna was a foreign creature to them. Needless to say, the book was lost in obscurity until the 1950s where it was hailed as a major work of american literature, one of the first of its kind to talk so directly about sex. That being said, its not as racy as it sounds (take it from us, we are both pretty prude!). And it was written in the 1800s after all! I really enjoy some of her short stories too, they are worth checking out. And yes Jamie, I caught on to the pregnancy and the sexual affair. I thought their might be something to the widow and the lovers but I think I've been reading too many "fluff" books too! We will get better as we go along, hopefully! ;)
ps. For any of our brave readers who have made it all the way down here, what do you think of our approach? Too wordy? Uninteresting? Or perhaps we give too much away, if you are interested in reading a novel from 1899 :) We would love to hear your feedback! Even better if you read the book and have anything to add or argue!
pps. Maybe we should take photos of us dressed as characters from the book? Would that add some spice? I'll be Adele, naturally, and Jamie can be Edna, crazy Edna. Muhahahaha!
Erin (the smarter sister): Yes, it has taken one million years to finally comment on The Awakening. My apologies. I disagree with my darling sister for most of the part. I find that she is being rather harsh towards poor Edna! Yes, it may seem like she has some sort of mood disorder at times but don't you remember being in love Jamie? It tends to turn a woman slightly crazy, especially for one who seemed to have only unrealistic romantic interests (ie: the cavalry officer, engaged young man, and famous actor) before marrying. She was caught up in infatuation with the actor when she met and married her husband, only to realize after they were married that she must close off her romantic whimsies and dreams and become a dignified wife. And then of course children followed, which she willingly admits she wasn't really "mother" material. Even before her awakening she had a distant affection for them, not the passion that many other mothers, including Adele, possessed. Plus, in those days, it was easier to put some distance between mother and child since the children's nursemaids were doing most of the raising. So put poor, distant Edna into a summer-long vacation where she her constant companion is a young fellow almost her age and something is sure to happen. I agree with Jamie that it was unusual the Creole (aristocrat of French and Spanish heritage) saw no problem with this young fellow devoting his time and energy to young married women each summer. Their culture seemed to imply that flirtation and admiration were accepted and the husbands felt no jealousy or concern. Edna was not raised in this enviroment so when Robert (the young man) attached himself to her, she began her awakening or self-discovery. She fell in love with a man that seemed to love her and, for once, this love was real and achievable (despite the fact she was married). Unfortunately Robert failed to see that she was in love with him and willing to do anything to be with him. He went away for a while and that was the time Edna really got moody. Stilll striving to discover her true self, the self that was willing to admit she wasn't so attached to children or spouse, she was caught up in the throes of love and yearning and disappointment. I think most of us girls could relate, think of the depression poor Bella dived into after Edward left her in Twilight! I don't hear you picking on Bella! And furthermore, in those days women had a specific role and domestic sphere in which they were expected to commit to. None of this free-thinking women who want passion in their life! So no, I don't hold Edna 100% accountable for her crazy actions. I felt the ending was a bit extreme, but at the same time, their was no place for her in 1800s society; she wasn't a loving mother or wife and the devotion to Robert was lost. Hopelessness would be hard to withstand for long in a rigid society. Obviously, this book was not well received when it was published. But with readers raised upon Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott, Edna was a foreign creature to them. Needless to say, the book was lost in obscurity until the 1950s where it was hailed as a major work of american literature, one of the first of its kind to talk so directly about sex. That being said, its not as racy as it sounds (take it from us, we are both pretty prude!). And it was written in the 1800s after all! I really enjoy some of her short stories too, they are worth checking out. And yes Jamie, I caught on to the pregnancy and the sexual affair. I thought their might be something to the widow and the lovers but I think I've been reading too many "fluff" books too! We will get better as we go along, hopefully! ;)
ps. For any of our brave readers who have made it all the way down here, what do you think of our approach? Too wordy? Uninteresting? Or perhaps we give too much away, if you are interested in reading a novel from 1899 :) We would love to hear your feedback! Even better if you read the book and have anything to add or argue!
pps. Maybe we should take photos of us dressed as characters from the book? Would that add some spice? I'll be Adele, naturally, and Jamie can be Edna, crazy Edna. Muhahahaha!
Jamie: A couple quick notes, I hope everyone can see just who is the ornery sister! And also, I hated the books where Bella was all depressed, seriously annoying so I am not a hypocrite!
I have to say I love the idea to blog your way through these books! You girls are great! I can't wait to see what you read next!
ReplyDelete