The Awakening by Kate Chopin

Kate Chopin born Kate O'Flaherty in St. Louis, Missouri in 1850 to Eliza and Thomas O'Flaherty. born Kate O'Flaherty in St. Louis, Missouri in 1850 to Eliza and Thomas O'Flaherty. In 1870, at the age of twenty, she married Oscar Chopin, twenty-five, and the son of a wealthy cotton-growing family in Louisiana. He was French catholic in background, as was Kate. In 1870, at the age of twenty, she married Oscar Chopin, twenty-five, and the son of a wealthy cotton-growing family in Louisiana. He was French catholic in background, as was Kate. By all accounts he adored his wife, admired her independence and intelligence, and "allowed" her unheard of freedom. By all accounts he adored his wife, admired her independence and intelligence, and "allowed" her unheard of freedom. After their marriage they lived in New Orleans where she had five boys and two girls, all before she was twenty-eight. After their marriage they lived in New Orleans where she had five boys and two girls, all before she was twenty-eight.

Kate Chopin Her first novel, At Fault, was published in 1890, followed by two collections of her short stories, Bayou Folk in 1894 and A Night in Acadia in Her first novel, At Fault, was published in 1890, followed by two collections of her short stories, Bayou Folk in 1894 and A Night in Acadia in The Awakening was published in 1899, and by then she was well known as both a local colorist and a woman writer, and had published over one hundred stories, essays, and sketches in literary magazines. The Awakening was published in 1899, and by then she was well known as both a local colorist and a woman writer, and had published over one hundred stories, essays, and sketches in literary magazines. The content and message of The Awakening caused much controversy. So much that she was denied admission to the St. Lois Fine Art Club. The content and message of The Awakening caused much controversy. So much that she was denied admission to the St. Lois Fine Art Club. Like Edna in The Awakening, Kate was also seeking artistic development until she died of a cerebral hemorrhage on August 22, Like Edna in The Awakening, Kate was also seeking artistic development until she died of a cerebral hemorrhage on August 22, 1904.

Setting and Social Background Grand Isle and New Orleans, LA – circa 1899 are the two settings Grand Isle and New Orleans, LA – circa 1899 are the two settings New Orleans – Catholic, French, with a great deal of interracial mixing – is a relatively easy-going society. New Orleans – Catholic, French, with a great deal of interracial mixing – is a relatively easy-going society. Husbands are NOT overly jealous of the attentions that their wives receive from other men. Women do not place too much credence on these attentions. Husbands are NOT overly jealous of the attentions that their wives receive from other men. Women do not place too much credence on these attentions..

Character Analysis Edna Pontellier Edna is a Southern Presbyterian who contrasts with her husband who is a Creole. Edna is a Southern Presbyterian who contrasts with her husband who is a Creole. young mother in her late twenties, who over a period of months awakens to her own sexuality. young mother in her late twenties, who over a period of months awakens to her own sexuality. She rebels against the New Orleans social system by abandoning her role as a “trophy wife” and as a mother. She rebels against the New Orleans social system by abandoning her role as a “trophy wife” and as a mother.

Character Analysis Leonce Pontellier Edna’s husband who is somewhat prudish Edna’s husband who is somewhat prudish believes Edna is his property because she is his wife. believes Edna is his property because she is his wife. He is a successful business man of New Orleans. He is a successful business man of New Orleans.

Character Analysis Mademoiselle Reisz A self-sufficient and unconventional old pianist who adopts Edna as a sort of protégé, warning Edna of the sacrifices required of an artist. A self-sufficient and unconventional old pianist who adopts Edna as a sort of protégé, warning Edna of the sacrifices required of an artist. Edna is moved by Mademoiselle Reisz’s piano playing and visits her often. Edna is moved by Mademoiselle Reisz’s piano playing and visits her often. Edna looks up to Reisz. Edna looks up to Reisz.

Character Analysis Dr. Mandelet He is hired by Leonce to understand why Edna is rebelling her duties as a wife. He is hired by Leonce to understand why Edna is rebelling her duties as a wife. He suspects Edna is having an affair (which she is) but isn’t entirely sure. He suspects Edna is having an affair (which she is) but isn’t entirely sure.

Character Analysis Robert Lebrun The love interest of Edna in which she is very fond of that devotes himself to satisfying a woman every summer. The love interest of Edna in which she is very fond of that devotes himself to satisfying a woman every summer. Edna is his interest for that summer. Edna is his interest for that summer.

Character Analysis Alcee Arobin The town seducer that Edna seeks an affair with after Robert goes out of town. The town seducer that Edna seeks an affair with after Robert goes out of town. Although he satisfies her sexual needs, she is only in love with Robert. Although he satisfies her sexual needs, she is only in love with Robert.

Summary Edna is the wife of a successful Louisiana business man that seeks freedom from her duties as a wife and mother. Edna is the wife of a successful Louisiana business man that seeks freedom from her duties as a wife and mother. She longs for an awakening and the ability to have a choice which leads her to have an affair and abandon her family and responsibilities. She longs for an awakening and the ability to have a choice which leads her to have an affair and abandon her family and responsibilities. This eventually takes her to her grave in the ocean for she was not able to accept her place as a trophy wife. This eventually takes her to her grave in the ocean for she was not able to accept her place as a trophy wife.

Themes Flesh vs. Spirit- Edna learns to swim, further experiencing the power of the connection between mind and body. Flesh vs. Spirit- Edna learns to swim, further experiencing the power of the connection between mind and body. Women as property- The Awakening chooses a time period and culture which regards women as the property of their spouses. Women as property- The Awakening chooses a time period and culture which regards women as the property of their spouses. The demands of society vs. the needs of individuals The demands of society vs. the needs of individuals Escape from control- Edna feels controlled by not only her husband but society as well. Escape from control- Edna feels controlled by not only her husband but society as well.

Themes Repressed Feelings – almost everyone in the book repress their feelings and this repression has a significant impact on how the characters interact and how the plot develops. almost everyone in the book repress their feelings and this repression has a significant impact on how the characters interact and how the plot develops. We are told very early that Leonce truly loves Edna. But does he tell her? Robert flees to Mexico rather than express his love. On his return to New Orleans, he delays seeing her for the same reason. We are told very early that Leonce truly loves Edna. But does he tell her? Robert flees to Mexico rather than express his love. On his return to New Orleans, he delays seeing her for the same reason. Mademoiselle Reisz seems to possess an insight into matters of the heart and soul yet she never reveals what in her past gives her this wisdom. Mademoiselle Reisz seems to possess an insight into matters of the heart and soul yet she never reveals what in her past gives her this wisdom. It is ultimately Edna’s inability to repress her newly discovered feelings that drives her to suicide. It is ultimately Edna’s inability to repress her newly discovered feelings that drives her to suicide.

Themes Personal Freedom all of the characters are trapped by social expectations. all of the characters are trapped by social expectations. The only characters who are not ( Victor, Mad. Reisz, and Alcee) are criticized by others. The only characters who are not ( Victor, Mad. Reisz, and Alcee) are criticized by others. As Edna begins to gain a sense of personal freedom (evidenced by her learning to swim, painting, bagging her “at home” days, and moving out), she, too, falls subject to gossip and criticism As Edna begins to gain a sense of personal freedom (evidenced by her learning to swim, painting, bagging her “at home” days, and moving out), she, too, falls subject to gossip and criticism

Symbolism Birds caged birds represent Edna’s entrapment. Edna is limited by society as birds are limited by their cages. The Victorian women in general use their “wings” to protect and shield, never to fly as birds. caged birds represent Edna’s entrapment. Edna is limited by society as birds are limited by their cages. The Victorian women in general use their “wings” to protect and shield, never to fly as birds. the mockingbird and parrot symbolize various ineffective attempts at communication. the mockingbird and parrot symbolize various ineffective attempts at communication. both birds are best known for their imitation of others, rather than having their own voice – they cannot tell their own stories both birds are best known for their imitation of others, rather than having their own voice – they cannot tell their own stories the parrot screeches “Get out! Get out!” which could foreshadow Edna’s desire to leave confines of her middle-class life. the parrot screeches “Get out! Get out!” which could foreshadow Edna’s desire to leave confines of her middle-class life.

Symbolism Water Water represents freedom and escape. In addition water is also related to baptism which means rebirth. Edna learns how to swim which gives her power and gives her an AWAKENING. Water represents freedom and escape. In addition water is also related to baptism which means rebirth. Edna learns how to swim which gives her power and gives her an AWAKENING. Edna remembers the Kentucky fields of her childhood as an ocean, and she daydreams of the day she “swam” the meadow. Edna remembers the Kentucky fields of her childhood as an ocean, and she daydreams of the day she “swam” the meadow. Her learning to swim in the Gulf is a show of self-assertion, and she finally “escapes to the sea”. Her learning to swim in the Gulf is a show of self-assertion, and she finally “escapes to the sea”.

Symbolism Sleep and Awakening The 1 st night of the novel, Edna cannot sleep after her husband rebukes her for neglecting the children. The 1 st night of the novel, Edna cannot sleep after her husband rebukes her for neglecting the children. It is during this sleepless night that her “awakening” begins. It is during this sleepless night that her “awakening” begins. We are told, “An indescribable oppression, which seemed to generate in some unfamiliar part of her consciousness, filled her whole being with a vague anguish.” We are told, “An indescribable oppression, which seemed to generate in some unfamiliar part of her consciousness, filled her whole being with a vague anguish.”

Sleep and Awakening Similarly, the night of Edna’s 1 st successful swim, she also cannot sleep. Yet, the next day, she experiences a deep, dream-filled sleep during her nap at the home of Madame Antoine. Similarly, the night of Edna’s 1 st successful swim, she also cannot sleep. Yet, the next day, she experiences a deep, dream-filled sleep during her nap at the home of Madame Antoine. Each major episode – disagreements with Leonce, encounters with Alcee, Madame Ratignolle’s childbed – are punctuated by specific mentions of Edna’s sleep, or lack of sleep. Each major episode – disagreements with Leonce, encounters with Alcee, Madame Ratignolle’s childbed – are punctuated by specific mentions of Edna’s sleep, or lack of sleep.