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Historical Reference
Kate Chopin wrote primarily about things she
was familiar with: life in the South and
French-American culture.
In “The Awakening”, Kate incorporated both
of those elements, and also the idea that a
woman could be a separate entity from her
husband. Her idea that a woman’s needs were
important was somewhat radical. Women
were not considered to be independent, and
women’s rights were still being fought for.
2
Overview
Well-established as a national writer
Published in 1899
It was labeled by critics as too controversial
and received unfavorable reviews. The novel’s
subject matter was deemed morbid, vulgar, and
disagreeable, shocking and immoral.
• Chopin’s fiction was mostly forgotten after her
death until scholars and readers set in motion
a Kate Chopin revival in the 1950’s
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Genre
Bildungsroman-novel of intellectual, spiritual or moral evolution
Kunstlerroman-novel of artistic realization or development); shares elements of and is heavily influenced by the local color genre
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Plot
It is the story of a young woman’s gradual awakening
Sexuality
Individual "being"
Longing for an independence
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Early Example Modernism Literature
She was very important as one of the earliest examples of modernism American Literature though she was strictly not in that specific time of literature
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Romantic Elements
Exotic locale
Use of color
Heavy emphasis on nature
Romantic theme: individuality and freedom
Rebellion against society and death
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Edna-two extremes in life
Completely alone = romanticism
• and
Frequent inner thoughts
Memories of childhood
Personified sea (nature)
Mysterious woman in black
Romantic music, dinner party
Desire to express herself
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Naturalism
Edna as hostage to her biology
She is female (children & wife)
Society dictates behavior
“No attempt to suppress her impulses"
Welfare of her children
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Historical Reference
Kate Chopin wrote primarily about things she
was familiar with: life in the South and
French-American culture.
Historical Reference
In “The Awakening”, Kate incorporated both
of those elements, and also the idea that a
woman could be a separate entity from her
husband. Her idea that a woman’s needs were
important was somewhat radical. Women
were not considered to be independent, and
women’s rights were still being fought for.
Perspective
Perspective – multiple (Anonymous: at times it appears to be Chopin's viewpoint and voice coming through)
Point of view: 3rd person narrative but clearly in support of Edna and what she is trying to achieve. Mostly objectively written but occasionally reveals support for the plight of women at the time.
Setting (time): Novel set in 1899, the Industrial Revolution and feminist movements were beginning to emerge but were still majorly overshadowed by prevailing attitudes at the time.
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Theme
No true beauty without complexity or conflict
Life, Consciousness, and Existence
Identity, Women and Femininity
Society and Class
Repression
Marriage
Love
Family
Respect and Reputation
Art and Culture
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Local Color & The Awakening
Characterizations of the people
Descriptions of places
Fundamental meaning of the story
Creole society and its social mores, women making choices that create a life
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Appearance in Reality
Seen in the New Orleans experience
Things are not always what they seem
Things are different to different players.
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Women’s Rights
Chopin: was not a feminist nor a suffragist
Took women extremely seriously
Due to her background (mother …)
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Lack of Interest in Feminism
Suffrage: she simply had a different understanding of freedom.
Freedom = “character of living your life within the constraints that the world makes [or] your God offers you, because all of us do live within constraints.”
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Religion
Influence of Catholicism
She promoted the idea that every human person could be excellent and valuable
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Creole
16th Century-
Creole- which came from the Latin word crear, meaning create. From that time, and approximately the next 250 years, Creole (or criollo) referred to not a color or race, but a person that was born in the New World.
Creole: is a ‘white person descended from the French or Spanish settlers of Louisiana and the Gulf States and preserving their characteristic speech and culture.’ . .
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Culture
Father was dominant his word was law
Not always a faithful spouse
Ruled like a king
Dutiful in the sense he went places with his wife
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Three Groups
1. Whites - highest class
2. Free Blacks - emancipated slaves middle class
3. Slaves household property the lowest class
They had a complex social organization which included foreign groups: Germans, Irish, and Spaniards.
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Social Classes
Black vs. White
Rich vs. Poor
Male vs. Female
Comfortable with difference as it is part of life
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Young Men
Given their own quarters
Entertainment for themselves
Had mistresses (Black or mulatto couldn’t marry them)
Accepted custom marriages = business
Wives = passive and ‘innocent’ lovers
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Young Women
Needed a dowry
Marry before 25 years old
“Coming out” event (theater)
Beginning search for a husband
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Other Customs
Weddings on Mon. or Tues.
Bouquet = relative’s grave
The family signed the register
Bride’s home for the banquet
Bride cuts the cake (pieces to single girls)
Cake put under their pillows
Bride and groom spent their honeymoon in her parents’ house (bedroom = 5+)
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Three Kinds of French
Traditional French
Acadian
Black Creole
Louisiana natives = francophone
French-speaking
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Characters
1. Edna Pontellier: Main character who awakens to a new life as
she discovers her independence. She is often characterized as
ennui.
2. Leonce Pontellier: Edna’s wealthy, old fashioned husband.
Shows frustration towards her if she behaves outside societal
norms
3. Robert Lebrun: Younger man whom Edna falls in love with and
vice versa
4. Adele Ratignolle: the epitome of what a woman is expected to be
during this time as a wife and mother of five
5. Mademoiselle Reisz: an eccentric pianist who is a close friend of
Robert Lebrun. She is the opposite of Madame Ratignolle. She
is independent, carefree and single with no children.
6. Alcee Arobin: a young gambling, womanizing businessman who
seduces Edna.
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Ennui
Origin: French
Pronunciation: /ɑn wi, ɑnwi; Fr. ɑ̃nwi/ Show Spelled [ahn-
wee, ahn-wee; Fr. ahn-nwee]
Definition (noun) having too much time on one's hands and too little will to find something productive to do; a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction.
Example: The endless lecture produced an unbearable
ennui.
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