The Awakening Kate Chopin

Objectives: SWBAT Identify and analyze the types of women present in the novel Identify and analyze the types of women present in the novel Compare/contrast Edna and Madame Ratignolle as wives and mothers Compare/contrast Edna and Madame Ratignolle as wives and mothers Trace the stages of Edna’s awakening Trace the stages of Edna’s awakening Discuss figurative language, symbolism, setting, ambiguity and imagery on the theme Discuss figurative language, symbolism, setting, ambiguity and imagery on the theme Analyze the roles of the men Analyze the roles of the men

Kate Chopin Wrote 2 novels and 100+ short stories Wrote 2 novels and 100+ short stories At Fault was widely acclaimed while The Awakening was condemned as morbid and vulgar At Fault was widely acclaimed while The Awakening was condemned as morbid and vulgar Born in St Louis but married and moved to New Orleans Born in St Louis but married and moved to New Orleans Her husband died and she returned to St. Louis where she began to write Her husband died and she returned to St. Louis where she began to write

The settings… C C Grand Isle and New Orleans, Louisiana Grand Isle and New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans French-Canadian outpost at mouth of Mississippi River French-Canadian outpost at mouth of Mississippi River Mix of Catholic, Spanish, French and interracial families Mix of Catholic, Spanish, French and interracial families Easy going society: men flirt with others wives, husbands don’t care, wives don’t take this seriously Easy going society: men flirt with others wives, husbands don’t care, wives don’t take this seriously

The Protestant South Edna is not used to the relaxed society of New Orleans and Grand Isle Edna is not used to the relaxed society of New Orleans and Grand Isle She was raised in the more strict, protestant South (Kentucky) She was raised in the more strict, protestant South (Kentucky) Leonce is a Creole and more accustomed to the society Leonce is a Creole and more accustomed to the society

The Creoles Many definitions but most claim Creoles are a some how a mixture of French, Spanish, and Africans born in “Creole City” or the French Quarter of New Orleans. Many definitions but most claim Creoles are a some how a mixture of French, Spanish, and Africans born in “Creole City” or the French Quarter of New Orleans. Cultures mixed without animosity, but did not feel the same about white Americans Cultures mixed without animosity, but did not feel the same about white Americans

The French Quarter Setting of Pontellier’s home Setting of Pontellier’s home Bordered by the river and 3 streets, one of which is Esplanade Avenue Bordered by the river and 3 streets, one of which is Esplanade Avenue Site of the original settlement Site of the original settlement Architecture is mostly Spanish with Caribbean influence Architecture is mostly Spanish with Caribbean influence

Victorian Sexuality Affected by Darwin and Freud Affected by Darwin and Freud Reverted humanity to animals and stated that all behavior is founded in sex Reverted humanity to animals and stated that all behavior is founded in sex Rules about sexuality sought to prevent more animalistic impulses which prevented men and women from discussing or thinking about sex Rules about sexuality sought to prevent more animalistic impulses which prevented men and women from discussing or thinking about sex

Symbols Art Art Birds Birds Food Food Swimming Swimming Water Water Piano playing Piano playing Sleep and awakening Sleep and awakening

Themes Repressed feelings Repressed feelings Personal freedom Personal freedom Roles of women Roles of women Search for self Search for self Alienation and loneliness Alienation and loneliness Consequences of choices Consequences of choices