Themes

      The theme about society’s conventions vs individualism is fighting against what’s accepted by society.  The theme statement we had was “The Awakening” expresses the idea that individualism during the Victorian era was not something a women could achieve fully due to society’s conventions. In the book, it used the symbols of the sea, the children, and the pathway. The sea symbolizes freedom and peace. The children represents innocence and they can be thought anything, which might define their personality. The pathway to the beach symbolizes Edna first step to freedom and her last step to her awakening. She made a sacrificial decision to end her life to end the sufferings of people around her and to herself. The tone was that the different types of woman in the book had different perspectives. Adele conformed to society’s conventions and was the ideal woman as a wife and mother. Reisz was the opposite of Adele, she was a feminist and went against society’s conventions. Edna started as Adele, who was forced to become a motherly woman, but she wasn’t satisfied with her life. She couldn’t fully express her emotions and had to abide her husband’s regulations and strict rules. She didn’t think that she was destined to be married or have kids. The diction she used was her ennui of her life and how she was never satisfied. Then she begins to rebel and expresses herself. She did what she wanted to do but she was with consequences that eventually took over and killed her. 

    For adele, “..embodiment of every womanly grace and charm (21)”, she was a woman who was adored by their husbands because they were submissive and did everything for their kids and husbands. In Victorian era, this was the ideal of woman in that time. Reisz was a feminist and independent, “she arose, and bowing her stiff, lofty bow, she went away, stopping for neither thanks nor applause”, she lived a life where she didn’t want to impress society or other around her. She only played and cared for Edna because she empathize with her and she is a blossoming feminist. Edna “..was fond of her children in an uneven, impulsive way. She would gather them passionately to her heart; and sometimes forget them”. She lived a life where she loves her kids but once they’re gone, she feels content that they‘re not in her presence. This relates to the theme because Adele was raised and obeyed society’s conventions, while Reizs and Edna strive for individualism and independence. They both went through obstacles to be independent. Reisz lives a shabby life, but she’s satisfied with what she have. Edna wasn’t content so expressed hersef more and felt great. She rebelled against her husband and followed her heart. It didn’t end the way Edna would have expected because she was overwhelmed and lost against society’s convention is the result of her taking her own life. 

    A book that I read that was similar was Frankenstein because Victor Frankenstein didn’t want to hurt his reputation that he created a monster and didn't want people to talk negative about him, so he pushed away the monster. Victor Frankenstein went through a lot of hardships such as getting sick or loved ones dying because of the decisions he made. The monster had to live a horrible life since he wasn’t socially accepted based on his physiognomy and the language that was spoken. In their society, an ugly appearance means an individual who’s capable of horrendous actions. By Victor’s decisions, the monster didn’t feel accepted so he needed to take revenge and make Victor’s life miserable. He succeeded on his revenge, but it didn’t end great on his side also. The monster just wanted to feel accepted, but his creator couldn’t accept him because he was worried about his reputation and selfish to disregard  his creation.

    The other theme was Inner Life & Reflection VS Outer World & Appearance. Vina and Jorge made a theme statement, “The Awakening” explores the “outward existence which conforms” and “the inward life which questions” through Edna’s contradicting thoughts and actions. The symbols that was mentioned for this theme was the ocean and the bird. In the beginning of the story, there was the caged me and at the end Edna saw a bird with a broken wing. This is ironic because Edna needed strong wings to fly, but she failed to do so and killed herself, which the bird failed at also. The sea represented the hardships Edna went through and her freedom. She stepped out her comfort zone and rebelled against society. She took risks and experienced a content life. She realized her capabilities as an individual and what she was capable of. 

    On chapter 7, page 16, “ Mrs. Pontellier eyes were quick and bright; they were a yellowish brown, about the color of her hair. She had a way of turning them swiftly…” Chopin featured Edna’s  reflective eyes that she was observant to her surroundings and looking through her awakening. Adele’s feature was her hands, which is quite ironic since she worked hard for her husband and children. While Edna only looked what people thought of her, but wanting to gain independence and to express herself. “At a very early period she had apprehended instinctively the dual life--that outward existence which conforms, the inward life which contemplates (31)”, which shows that Edna was obeying society’s conventions, but wasn’t satisfied with her life. Edna had been contemplating on what to do with her life and sometimes she’s impulsive on her actions, “It was you who awoke me last summer of a lifelong, stupid dream.” She explains that the way she feels for Robert was the ultimate reason to why she wants to gain independence. She wants to fully express herself and live by her actions not her husband. 

     A book that is similar to this theme was also Frankenstein because it's Reality vs Appearance. The creature was judged by his creator and the individuals who have seen his physical appearance. He’s been criticized without knowing his personality. The author style is letting the character figure out their own future like how the woman have officially claim their spot as an independent woman, artist, mother, wife, or a musician. 

Victorian Women Blog ✌️

To what extent do the female characters in The Awakening represent the Victorian woman? In other words, characterize Adele Ratignolle, Edna Pontellier, the Farival Twins, Mademoiselle Reisz and relate their characters to the norms expected of women in Victorian society.

  

   In the Victorian era, women were dominated by the male gender and was considered useless without men. They were thought to be created to please the men. Women were considered angelic and represented innocence. Women needed to be very pure, a virgin, and no thought of sexual actions. Their positions seemed clear, as to existing as a female is very difficult. Women cannot survive on their own without the help of men. The female gender was degraded and it's “only” use was to pleasure the men. Prostitutes existed because women stooped really low and they needed to satisfy the needs of the uncontrollable sexual men. A revolution happens to change the future of women's rights forever.

     Edna Pontellier is the wife of Léonce Pontellier, a rich businessman who resided in New Orleans. They have kids together and love each other, but they lack communication. Léonce is never home since he's busy with business meets etc. He doesn't give time to spend with his wife and kids. He's a very dominant and wants everything to go like he planned. Edna was like the women in the Victorian era. Her opinions didn't matter so it resulted for her not expressing herself freely. Edna is rebellious since she married her husband to get back to her father and sister, yet she learned how to love him. After she was married, her freedom was stripped of and thrown away. She is imprisoned with her thoughts and feelings by her husband. Like the women during the Victorian era, they needed to please the women, Edna obeyed all the rules her husband has issued. With this, Edna became introverted. She saw the sea and the freedom it has, so she's walking her tough path to a free world. 

     Adele fits the ideal woman because she loves her kids, worships her husband, and her life revolves around her family. During the Victorian era, marriage was the best position for a woman. They couldn't own anything or basically do anything. Adele did everything for kids and did anything for her husband. She followed all his rules and regulations to become this “ideal” mother type. She was considered women during those times because she did everything that was meant to be. 

    Mademoiselle Reisz was the opposite of women during the Victorian era. She is passionate about music and chose to pursue it. She is unmarried and without children. She represent freedom and independence. She has influenced Edna and is held responsible for her actions. She was exact opposite of how women should live. She makes decisions based on her opinions and not by a male. She's a unique character in the story and is very influential since she has broken the boundaries of women. 

     The Farival twins embodied the innocence women should have. They had to entertain the audience by playing the piano. I think they are dedicated to the Catholic religion, mostly to the Virgin Mary. They are destined to be like the other women. They're very pure and no knowledge of sexual thoughts. Therefore, they're being prepared to become the next generation of Victorian women. 

How does Chopin seem feel about the condition of women in Victorian society? Provide evidence from the novel to strengthen your answer.

     I don't think Chopin likes the idea that men are the dominant gender and women are treated with no respect. In the novel, Edna is an example of that. She is expected to be a motherly figure and to obey all her husband's rules. I think that's why Chopin uses Edna as the main character who broke the boundaries of women during the Victorian era. The author added the character Mademoiselle Reisz to emphasize that women could do great things. She is passionate about music and she pursued her passion and she's satisfied with her life. She is used as an aspiration to Edna to become a women like her.

       The author has a character that fits perfectly to the Victorian women, Adele. She is the ideal type of women during the Victorian era and she is the motherly type all women should follow. She loves her kids and does everything for them. Adele abides all her husband's rules and she worships him. 

     Edna has been used as an example of rebellious actions against society. She's going to be rebellious and act based on her emotions. She will be expressive and her opinions will matter. The author wants us how Edna’s character will evolve in the novel. 

Kate Chopin

      Kate Chopin was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 8, 1850 to Eliza and Thomas O'Flaherty. In 1851, when she was about 5 years old he was sent to a catholic boarding school, Sacred Heart Academy. Two months after, Kate’s father died from a train accident. She then moved out of the boarding school and resided with her mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother who were all widowed. Her grandmother! Victoria Berden taught her French, music, and gossip. Her mom was the first to gain legal separation from her husband. She grew up in a household filled with strong single women, which probably have influenced her perspectives and style of writing.

      She went back to boarding school and became the top student and won medals. She was elected into the elite children of Mary Society where she held a commencement speech. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1868. During these years, she has experienced unhappy incidents that had caused her to have doubts on religion. Many of her family members passed at a young age including her father, siblings, and the death of her grandmother affected her the most. Her family was the most important thing to her. 

     Creole culture is a person descended from early French or Spanish settlers in the United States, which they preserve their speech and culture. The Creole culture was very wealthy and they had imported goods from all over the world. Kate’s mother was part of a prominent French Creole Family. At the age of twenty-five, she got married to Oscar Chopin who was also a Creole cotton trader and from prominent French Creole Family. She was greatly influenced by her background. Her husband and her moved to New Orleans where Creole heritage was celebrated. With her appreciation to her creole background, she mentions it in her book, but instead of French creole, she mostly mentioned the Louisiana creole. She talked about the liberty, art, and music. She was very proud of her heritage and writing about it made her feel great. 

     Kate Chopin lived during the Civil war and St. Louis were pro-North. The creole population decreased during this time and many had to moved to small communities. Liberty was removed, so the Creole didn't have anything like they used to. Everything changed when the perspectives of society suddenly change. They were treated as slaves and many were forced to work to survive. Her husband died from malaria and had to raise their seven kids on her own. She moved back with her mother, but she later died and Kate was left alone was again. She was in poverty and needed a way to support her children. She began to write which was intended as a therapeutic healing against her depression. She immediately reach success and she found a source of income. She published her first story in 1890 called “At Fault”. She was well known as both the local colorist and woman writer. She then published “The Awakening” in 1899, which was received negatively. This has denied her access to St. Louis Fine Art Club and was rejected as an author. She was downgraded and after that incident, she only wrote short stories. Two short stories that were received greatly was Bayou Folk (1894) and A Night in Acadie (1897). She still wrote in her last few years and she passed away on August 22, 1902 due to cerebral hemorrhage.

     Kate has explored women’s independence and incorporated this into her writing. She became known as the “woman who were born before her time”. She wrote short stories, articles, translations, etc. Kate is considered as one of the first feminist authors of the 19th and 20th century. She has paved a way for future feminist writers in the world of writing. It is said that she wrote her stories based on the people of St. Louis and her Creole background also included her style of writing. Kate Chopin is not only a feminist writer, but indeed an intelligent and a great writer. 

Words count: 679

Work Cited

"Biography." The Kate Chopin International Society, 9 Feb. 2016. Web. <http://www.katechopin.org/biography/>.

Gilbert. "Creoles." Kate Chopin. 2002. Web. <http://www.loyno.edu/~kchopin/new/culture/creoles2.html>.

"Kate Chopin." American Literature. Web.

<https://americanliterature.com/author/kate-chopin/bio-books-stories>

Wyatt, Neal. "Biography of Kate Chopin." VCU, 1955. Web. <http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/hour/katebio.html>.