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.
