To Thine Own Self Be To Thine Own Self Be True:True:

The AwakeningThe Awakening in in ReviewReview

FeracoFeraco

Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential

24 February 200924 February 2009

The Curtain Rises…The Curtain Rises… We spoke yesterday about the We spoke yesterday about the

Victorian/Creole social expectations that Victorian/Creole social expectations that influenced Chopin’s work, as well as the influenced Chopin’s work, as well as the shifting trends in American culture shifting trends in American culture around the turn of the centuryaround the turn of the century

Today, I’d like to take a moment to talk Today, I’d like to take a moment to talk about the literary movements that helped about the literary movements that helped shape Chopin’s writing – specifically, the shape Chopin’s writing – specifically, the interplay between Romanticism and interplay between Romanticism and Realism in Realism in The AwakeningThe Awakening

Que RomanticoQue Romantico Romantic authors focused on the individual Romantic authors focused on the individual

above all elseabove all else They valued freedom, independence, liberty, They valued freedom, independence, liberty,

etc.etc. The ability for human beings to exist as they The ability for human beings to exist as they

were always meant to – without fetterswere always meant to – without fetters They saw society as harmful because it They saw society as harmful because it

placed so many restrictions on how human placed so many restrictions on how human beings could actbeings could act Standards of legality were one thing, but the Standards of legality were one thing, but the

myriad standards of decency that so many myriad standards of decency that so many seemed willing to abide by were a different seemed willing to abide by were a different mattermatter

Nature vs. the CityNature vs. the City

As a result, Romantic authors loved the As a result, Romantic authors loved the natural world, the exotic, and the beautifulnatural world, the exotic, and the beautiful

They preferred nature to urban centers They preferred nature to urban centers because they viewed cities as artificial because they viewed cities as artificial constructions that limited (rather than constructions that limited (rather than expanded) man’s capacity for improvementexpanded) man’s capacity for improvement (Contrast this with what we learned about (Contrast this with what we learned about

cities and social progress at the turn of the cities and social progress at the turn of the century!) century!)

They wanted to return to a simpler, less They wanted to return to a simpler, less corrupt timecorrupt time Saw a movement away from Rationalism as the Saw a movement away from Rationalism as the

way to do it way to do it

Losing Yourself in Losing Yourself in Thought and FeelingsThought and Feelings

Specifically, Romantics took a different view of Specifically, Romantics took a different view of psychology and emotion than the Rationalistspsychology and emotion than the Rationalists

Writers like Hawthorne and Poe dealt with Writers like Hawthorne and Poe dealt with unrequited love and violent passions unrequited love and violent passions

Rational thought was less of a concern than Rational thought was less of a concern than understanding one’s emotional reactions and understanding one’s emotional reactions and the power of one’s own imagination and the power of one’s own imagination and creativitycreativity

Self-contemplation, then, was highly valued Self-contemplation, then, was highly valued (You can see lingering traces of these traditions in (You can see lingering traces of these traditions in

the writings of Transcendentalists like Thoreau and the writings of Transcendentalists like Thoreau and Emerson!) Emerson!)

Mistakes We Knew We Mistakes We Knew We Were MakingWere Making

Chopin’s character portrayals reflect Realist Chopin’s character portrayals reflect Realist traditions because her characters are traditions because her characters are fundamentally fundamentally realisticrealistic

I mentioned yesterday that I mentioned yesterday that The AwakeningThe Awakening doesn’t doesn’t have heroes, heroines, and villains so much as it have heroes, heroines, and villains so much as it has people who live – and who cause joy and pain has people who live – and who cause joy and pain for themselves and others just by living life and for themselves and others just by living life and making mistakesmaking mistakes

Chopin carefully constructs portraits of people you Chopin carefully constructs portraits of people you can actually meet – we know Adèles and Léonces, can actually meet – we know Adèles and Léonces, we know Ednas and Robertswe know Ednas and Roberts

Chopin neither judges nor exaggerates themChopin neither judges nor exaggerates them Instead, she presents them as real people in a real place Instead, she presents them as real people in a real place (As we’ve spoken about earlier, Chopin’s settings were (As we’ve spoken about earlier, Chopin’s settings were

based on her experiences – truth in fiction!)based on her experiences – truth in fiction!)

Learning via EmotionLearning via Emotion

Their emotions are dealt with in a dignified Their emotions are dealt with in a dignified wayway

Although some of you may take issue with Although some of you may take issue with Edna’s emotionalism, that particular Edna’s emotionalism, that particular character trait may make more sense now character trait may make more sense now that you understand Romanticism’s that you understand Romanticism’s influence on Chopininfluence on Chopin

In fact, we’re able to learn more about each In fact, we’re able to learn more about each character by exploring their “emotional character by exploring their “emotional landscapes” – not just Edna, but Robert, landscapes” – not just Edna, but Robert, Reisz, Adèle, and Léonce as wellReisz, Adèle, and Léonce as well ……and we still have other characters left to meet! and we still have other characters left to meet!

Onward!Onward! Now that we’ve taken a look at the Now that we’ve taken a look at the

social and literary influences on social and literary influences on Chopin’s work – as well as at her Chopin’s work – as well as at her personal history – we can take another personal history – we can take another look at the work itselflook at the work itself

It’s helpful to break up this novel’s It’s helpful to break up this novel’s first half even furtherfirst half even further

By cutting it into four different By cutting it into four different sections, we can take a closer look at sections, we can take a closer look at how the novel’s tone and character how the novel’s tone and character focus shiftsfocus shifts

In ReviewIn Review The first five-chapter section provides us with a The first five-chapter section provides us with a

look at Edna before she awakenslook at Edna before she awakens It’s not a flattering portrayalIt’s not a flattering portrayal

When Léonce first looks at her, he sees a When Léonce first looks at her, he sees a damaged piece of property – and now we know damaged piece of property – and now we know why why

She’s deeply unhappy without understanding She’s deeply unhappy without understanding why, and lives without pausing to trywhy, and lives without pausing to try

Ordinary moments for contemplation, such as Ordinary moments for contemplation, such as when she walks outside to cry during Chapter 3, when she walks outside to cry during Chapter 3, are completely glossed over or ignoredare completely glossed over or ignored

Instead of thinking about why she’s crying, she Instead of thinking about why she’s crying, she just exists passively, tears rolling out instead of just exists passively, tears rolling out instead of being shed, until the biting insects drive her to being shed, until the biting insects drive her to move like livestock. move like livestock.

Matrimony and Matrimony and ComplicationComplication Her marriage with Léonce is clearly problematic Her marriage with Léonce is clearly problematic

She’s not happy, and he doesn’t entirely respect herShe’s not happy, and he doesn’t entirely respect her He plays the part of the “good husband” – but in He plays the part of the “good husband” – but in

this culture, as he points out, the woman takes care this culture, as he points out, the woman takes care of the children, and he shouldn’t have to check on of the children, and he shouldn’t have to check on themthem So why does he?So why does he?

He can’t quite put his finger on why she’s not a He can’t quite put his finger on why she’s not a “mother-woman,” but it disturbs him all the same“mother-woman,” but it disturbs him all the same

What’s fascinating, however, is that Chopin never What’s fascinating, however, is that Chopin never definitivelydefinitively establishes whether Raoul was really establishes whether Raoul was really sick, or whether he was, in fact, simply having a bad sick, or whether he was, in fact, simply having a bad dream. We end the chapter not knowing whether dream. We end the chapter not knowing whether Léonce was correct!Léonce was correct! Who did you assume interpreted the situation correctly?Who did you assume interpreted the situation correctly?

The Fire Starts BurningThe Fire Starts Burning Still, Edna is slowly pushing towards self-awarenessStill, Edna is slowly pushing towards self-awareness We see her begin to think about why she’s reluctant to We see her begin to think about why she’s reluctant to

discuss “the book,” and we see specific reasons for why discuss “the book,” and we see specific reasons for why she’s a poor fit for Creole culture, which we’re introduced she’s a poor fit for Creole culture, which we’re introduced to hereto here

Little moments like her inability to sketch Adèle symbolize Little moments like her inability to sketch Adèle symbolize her inability to properly imitate their idealsher inability to properly imitate their ideals

She has friends – Adèle and Robert – but she doesn’t really She has friends – Adèle and Robert – but she doesn’t really belong therebelong there

Fortunately for her, the Lebruns’ cottages at Grand Isle are Fortunately for her, the Lebruns’ cottages at Grand Isle are there for vacationing, which means her experiences there there for vacationing, which means her experiences there are at least a little removed from her normal lifeare at least a little removed from her normal life

She’s soon able to explore aspects of herself and her She’s soon able to explore aspects of herself and her relationships that she wouldn’t have been able to relationships that she wouldn’t have been able to elsewhereelsewhere

We see birds, music, and the sea in this section; all will We see birds, music, and the sea in this section; all will play larger roles laterplay larger roles later

There’s a light burning inside her (an image Chopin’s There’s a light burning inside her (an image Chopin’s particularly fond of), but it’s little more than a dull emberparticularly fond of), but it’s little more than a dull ember

The flames pop up later The flames pop up later

Beginning to AwakenBeginning to Awaken The second five-chapter section is a chronicle of The second five-chapter section is a chronicle of

Edna’s awakening, of her slow shaking-off of the Edna’s awakening, of her slow shaking-off of the unconscious life and routine she’s followed without unconscious life and routine she’s followed without ever questioning whyever questioning why

It even opens with Edna stopping to wonder why she It even opens with Edna stopping to wonder why she initially rebuffs Robert’s invitation to go down to the initially rebuffs Robert’s invitation to go down to the seasea

Now we see the sea again, and we’re unsure about Now we see the sea again, and we’re unsure about what it representswhat it represents Freedom or society? Freedom or society? Passion for self or passion for others?Passion for self or passion for others?

In any case, Chopin’s last lines seem somewhat In any case, Chopin’s last lines seem somewhat forebodingforeboding

We know this is foreshadowing something, because We know this is foreshadowing something, because we’ve been trained to look for what seem to be we’ve been trained to look for what seem to be significant clues…but we don’t know what this means significant clues…but we don’t know what this means quite yetquite yet

We Pause to Consider…We Pause to Consider… Edna begins to contemplate herself in a new light (a Edna begins to contemplate herself in a new light (a

clear sign of her Romantic development)clear sign of her Romantic development) She refuses to stop thinking when Adèle essentially She refuses to stop thinking when Adèle essentially

advises her not to trouble herselfadvises her not to trouble herself She’s honest with herself when she stops to reminisce She’s honest with herself when she stops to reminisce

about her girlhood in Kentuckyabout her girlhood in Kentucky She realizes that her reasons for marrying Léonce – not She realizes that her reasons for marrying Léonce – not

just to get away from her father, but to get away from just to get away from her father, but to get away from the tragedian and all the hopeless dreaming he the tragedian and all the hopeless dreaming he represented – was foolishrepresented – was foolish

She essentially got married to keep herself from dreaming, and She essentially got married to keep herself from dreaming, and that’s a prescription for disasterthat’s a prescription for disaster

She realizes she’s been instinctively leading a dual lifeShe realizes she’s been instinctively leading a dual life A public face that everyone sees A public face that everyone sees A private one that no one – not even she – fully understandsA private one that no one – not even she – fully understands Notice, however, that’s she’s never fully committed to eitherNotice, however, that’s she’s never fully committed to either

Modes of ExpressionModes of Expression We see Edna listening to Reisz’s music We see Edna listening to Reisz’s music

and feeling overwhelmedand feeling overwhelmed We spoke yesterday about music as self-We spoke yesterday about music as self-

expression, and Reisz’s choice of song – expression, and Reisz’s choice of song – “Solitude” is significant“Solitude” is significant Does Edna dislike solitude, or wish for it?Does Edna dislike solitude, or wish for it?

We also see our favorite parrot againWe also see our favorite parrot again He screams at the Farival girls, and is quickly He screams at the Farival girls, and is quickly

silencedsilenced

The Woman and the SeaThe Woman and the Sea Chapter 10 finds Edna, in what seems to be a Chapter 10 finds Edna, in what seems to be a

moment of momentous significance, swimming moment of momentous significance, swimming by herself for the first timeby herself for the first time

She chastises herself for refusing to try out of She chastises herself for refusing to try out of fear for so long, and for “splashing around like a fear for so long, and for “splashing around like a baby”baby”

Again, we wonder what this symbolizesAgain, we wonder what this symbolizes Depending on what you think the sea represents, this Depending on what you think the sea represents, this

is either a moment of intense triumph or the is either a moment of intense triumph or the beginning of Edna’s downfall beginning of Edna’s downfall

Notice that Robert’s watching her from afar Notice that Robert’s watching her from afar We also get the story about the semi-celestials, We also get the story about the semi-celestials,

which is deeply important for those who seek to which is deeply important for those who seek to understand the story’s endingunderstand the story’s ending

We’ll refer back to these events once you’ve We’ll refer back to these events once you’ve finished Chapter 39 finished Chapter 39

Convince Yourself to Convince Yourself to Accept the 5Accept the 5 Let’s pause for a second and picture the Let’s pause for a second and picture the

following hypothetical scenario:following hypothetical scenario: Our lives are rated on a scale ranging from 1 to Our lives are rated on a scale ranging from 1 to

10 10 1 representing a completely hopeless, joyless 1 representing a completely hopeless, joyless

existenceexistence 10 representing near-deification10 representing near-deification Let’s say you’re a 5Let’s say you’re a 5

I give you a choice: You can continue living as I give you a choice: You can continue living as a 5 for the rest of your days, or you can take a a 5 for the rest of your days, or you can take a risk and flip a coinrisk and flip a coin Heads means you win, and you’ll live an 8-rated lifeHeads means you win, and you’ll live an 8-rated life Tails means you lose, and you’ll live a 2-rated lifeTails means you lose, and you’ll live a 2-rated life

Do you stay where you are, or do you flip the Do you stay where you are, or do you flip the coin?coin?

Rolling the DieRolling the Die Let’s pursue a different hypotheticalLet’s pursue a different hypothetical Depending on the choices we make and Depending on the choices we make and

the plans we form, we can build ourselves the plans we form, we can build ourselves “safety nets” that make risks less “safety nets” that make risks less dangerousdangerous

In this scenario, your plans have left you In this scenario, your plans have left you with more options – so instead of a coin with more options – so instead of a coin flip, you get to roll a four-sided dieflip, you get to roll a four-sided die The sides are marked 2, 4, 6, and 8The sides are marked 2, 4, 6, and 8

Do you roll the die, or do you remain a 5?Do you roll the die, or do you remain a 5? What if you’re married?What if you’re married? What if you’re a parent?What if you’re a parent?

Why Take the Chance?Why Take the Chance? Edna’s playing with fire here, because it’s Edna’s playing with fire here, because it’s

not as though she has a lot of optionsnot as though she has a lot of options She can’t divorce LéonceShe can’t divorce Léonce As it turns out, she can’t count on Robert As it turns out, she can’t count on Robert

because he’s moving to Mexicobecause he’s moving to Mexico Unless Léonce dies, she doesn’t seem to have Unless Léonce dies, she doesn’t seem to have

any way outany way out In other words, she doesn’t have the die – In other words, she doesn’t have the die –

she has the coin, if she has anything at all she has the coin, if she has anything at all Bur she seems to be itching to flip it anywayBur she seems to be itching to flip it anyway

We wonder, however, how we’d rate her We wonder, however, how we’d rate her lifelife How do we measure a worthwhile existence? How do we measure a worthwhile existence? Is Edna living one?Is Edna living one?

Another Look at RobertAnother Look at Robert In the meantime, we learn that there’s more to In the meantime, we learn that there’s more to

other characters than our first impressions of themother characters than our first impressions of them Robert in particularRobert in particular

He doesn’t appear to be a completely typical Creole He doesn’t appear to be a completely typical Creole malemale He just acts like one He just acts like one

Adèle recognizes this, which is why she warns him Adèle recognizes this, which is why she warns him to stay away from Ednato stay away from Edna However, she couches her warning in a rebuke that However, she couches her warning in a rebuke that

reminds him that he reminds him that he isis a Creole, and that Edna a Creole, and that Edna isn’tisn’t – – remember their attitude towards “outsiders”remember their attitude towards “outsiders”

On some level, his yearning for Edna is as desperate On some level, his yearning for Edna is as desperate and hopeless as her love for the tragedianand hopeless as her love for the tragedian

He’s beginning to pull away from Edna, realizing He’s beginning to pull away from Edna, realizing that he’ll need to go to Mexicothat he’ll need to go to Mexico

So Far AwaySo Far Away Robert and Edna seem so close to Robert and Edna seem so close to

understanding each other, but remain understanding each other, but remain frustratingly at odds somehowfrustratingly at odds somehow

She begins to become more aware of her She begins to become more aware of her feelings for him, and finally recognizes them feelings for him, and finally recognizes them for what they are at the end of the chapterfor what they are at the end of the chapter

It closes with Robert leaving her alone, It closes with Robert leaving her alone, walking in and out of strips of pale walking in and out of strips of pale moonlightmoonlight Perhaps symbolizing the moral ambiguity Perhaps symbolizing the moral ambiguity

inherent in their friendshipinherent in their friendship• A bond that threatens to become something more!A bond that threatens to become something more!• Scandal!Scandal!

The Rubber BandThe Rubber Band

If we end the second five-chapter section If we end the second five-chapter section hopeful that Edna will “wake up” and see hopeful that Edna will “wake up” and see the light, the third five-chapter section the light, the third five-chapter section proves particularly frustratingproves particularly frustrating

Edna is essentially treated like a rubber Edna is essentially treated like a rubber band, straining towards independence band, straining towards independence before being dragged back into her old before being dragged back into her old lifelife She’s a changed woman, but still seen – and She’s a changed woman, but still seen – and

treated – as Edna Pontelliertreated – as Edna Pontellier

It All Comes Around It All Comes Around AgainAgain We see her resist Léonce for the first timeWe see her resist Léonce for the first time

Her response to his demand that she return here Her response to his demand that she return here couldn’t contrast more strongly with her reaction to couldn’t contrast more strongly with her reaction to his demand in Chapter 3 that she check Raoulhis demand in Chapter 3 that she check Raoul

Edna becomes defiant in order to become an Edna becomes defiant in order to become an independent actorindependent actor

Unfortunately, she discovers that Robert – the Unfortunately, she discovers that Robert – the catalyst for her push towards independence – catalyst for her push towards independence – seems unreachable, for a number of reasonsseems unreachable, for a number of reasons

He flirts, but never commits – this seems to be his He flirts, but never commits – this seems to be his pattern of behavior regarding Mexico (although pattern of behavior regarding Mexico (although that changes quite quickly once he realizes how he that changes quite quickly once he realizes how he feels about Ednafeels about Edna

Not only does he refuse to flip the coin, but he’s Not only does he refuse to flip the coin, but he’s hiding from the live he could be leadinghiding from the live he could be leading

Did Edna do the same with the tragedian and Did Edna do the same with the tragedian and Léonce?Léonce?

The Buried Treasure of The Buried Treasure of the Heartthe Heart

Even before we know he’s leaving, we Even before we know he’s leaving, we see symbolic moments that encapsulate see symbolic moments that encapsulate their seemingly star-crossed relationshiptheir seemingly star-crossed relationship

For example, there’s a reference to For example, there’s a reference to buried treasure and pirate gold in buried treasure and pirate gold in Chapter 12Chapter 12 We realize it represents love and passion – We realize it represents love and passion –

the things that can make Edna happiestthe things that can make Edna happiest We also realize that she’s the one who’s We also realize that she’s the one who’s

“buried the treasure,” and she needs “buried the treasure,” and she needs Robert’s help to excavate it Robert’s help to excavate it

Star-CrossedStar-Crossed After Edna wakes up in Chapter 13, the two are finally After Edna wakes up in Chapter 13, the two are finally

alone together, and they joke that she’s slept for a alone together, and they joke that she’s slept for a hundred years hundred years

Everyone’s gone, and they’re free of societyEveryone’s gone, and they’re free of society The sad part is that it’s a fantasy of an independent life The sad part is that it’s a fantasy of an independent life

that she can’t havethat she can’t have She hasn’t really been asleep that long, and they talk to each She hasn’t really been asleep that long, and they talk to each

other knowing full well that they’ll need to head back to society other knowing full well that they’ll need to head back to society soon…soon…

……and that their happiness is only temporary.and that their happiness is only temporary. They sing “Ah! Si tu savais,” which translates as “Ah! If They sing “Ah! Si tu savais,” which translates as “Ah! If

only you knew…”only you knew…” Then she returns home to the life she’s led – and whispers “Ah! Then she returns home to the life she’s led – and whispers “Ah!

Si tu savais” againSi tu savais” again Robert’s sudden departure crushes her because she Robert’s sudden departure crushes her because she

had just begun to hope againhad just begun to hope again It seems like Edna is destined to lose whatever she cares about It seems like Edna is destined to lose whatever she cares about

enough to hold (or try to hold)enough to hold (or try to hold)

……and Everything Starts and Everything Starts FallingFalling The last five-chapter section is one of The last five-chapter section is one of

frustration and destruction, as Edna begins frustration and destruction, as Edna begins expressing the torrent of emotion that’s expressing the torrent of emotion that’s coursing through hercoursing through her

Edna feels everything slipping away from Edna feels everything slipping away from her, and begins seizing control of her own her, and begins seizing control of her own life – or trying tolife – or trying to One of the things we notice about Edna is that One of the things we notice about Edna is that

she tends to make things worseshe tends to make things worse She doesn’t think through things clearly, and She doesn’t think through things clearly, and

tends to act on impulsetends to act on impulse This tendency will have tragic consequences as This tendency will have tragic consequences as

we move into the book’s second halfwe move into the book’s second half

Edna as an IndividualEdna as an Individual A declaration of Edna’s awakening A declaration of Edna’s awakening

sense of individuality catches our sense of individuality catches our attention attention ““I would give up the unessential; I would I would give up the unessential; I would

give my money, I would give my life for give my money, I would give my life for my children, but I wouldn't give myself.”my children, but I wouldn't give myself.”

This is perhaps the statement that This is perhaps the statement that best defines Edna, and yet it seems best defines Edna, and yet it seems counter-intuitivecounter-intuitive Since when does she care so much about her Since when does she care so much about her

kids?kids?

More Significant Than More Significant Than You KnowYou Know We also see one of Chopin’s most vivid symbols – Edna We also see one of Chopin’s most vivid symbols – Edna

tries and fails to crush her wedding ring, then breaks the tries and fails to crush her wedding ring, then breaks the vase insteadvase instead

Obviously, this represents Edna’s willingness to break the bonds of Obviously, this represents Edna’s willingness to break the bonds of matrimony – but the ring can’t be destroyedmatrimony – but the ring can’t be destroyed

She also realizes that she can never be Adèle, and begins She also realizes that she can never be Adèle, and begins to pity her friend for leading such a domesticated lifeto pity her friend for leading such a domesticated life

At this point, she rebels against Léonce’s every order – At this point, she rebels against Léonce’s every order – she wears the wrong clothes, she stops hosting his she wears the wrong clothes, she stops hosting his parties, she retreats into her art – to the point that he parties, she retreats into her art – to the point that he believes she’s suffering from some mental infirmitybelieves she’s suffering from some mental infirmity

He encourages her to pursue her art, hoping it will make her happy He encourages her to pursue her art, hoping it will make her happy – still showing that in his own way, he cares about her– still showing that in his own way, he cares about her

““Some ways she does not seem like other women” – Some ways she does not seem like other women” – Victor’s last words of description, and they’re both more Victor’s last words of description, and they’re both more and less true than he knowsand less true than he knows

She’s not like Adèle – but there were more Ednas in She’s not like Adèle – but there were more Ednas in American than many people realizedAmerican than many people realized