The Awakening Kate Chopin

Kate Chopin - biographical 1850: born Kate O’Flatery in St. Louis 1850: born Kate O’Flatery in St. Louis – Raise by her mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother (after her father’s death) – Attended Sacred Heart Academy – Skeptical of religion because of tragedies in her life that occurred around religious holidays

Biographical – con’t. 1870: married Oscar Chopin, moved to New Orleans, had 7 children 1870: married Oscar Chopin, moved to New Orleans, had 7 children 1882: Oscar dies, Kate moves home, writes stories & books to support her family 1882: Oscar dies, Kate moves home, writes stories & books to support her family 1890: first novel, At Fault 1890: first novel, At Fault 1894: short story collection, Bayou Folk 1894: short story collection, Bayou Folk 1897: 2 nd short story collection, A Night in Acadia 1897: 2 nd short story collection, A Night in Acadia 1899: The Awakening (deemed controversial) 1899: The Awakening (deemed controversial) August 22, 1904: Chopin dies after a cerebral hemorrhage August 22, 1904: Chopin dies after a cerebral hemorrhage

The Awakening: Setting 19 th century (turn of the century) 19 th century (turn of the century) – Industrial Revolution (lowest class of women go to work for the first time) Southern Louisiana Southern Louisiana – in/around New Orleans Cultural forces: American, Southern, & Creole Cultural forces: American, Southern, & Creole

Creole (“crioulo” = native) French Creole - Caucasian people descended from some of the first Europeans to arrive in New Orleans. …descendants of early European colonists in Louisiana began to refer to themselves as “Creoles” to distinguish themselves from Europeans just arriving in New Orleans. …distinguished established New Orleanians from Americans who arrived in droves after Louisiana’s admission to the union in Just to reduce confusion, we’ll call these descendents of early European settlers “French Creole” although some descendents of early Spanish settlers called themselves “Creole” as well.

Cultural Influences: American Driving forces of the Industrial Revolution Driving forces of the Industrial Revolution Women work for the first time Women work for the first time – Middle-class women are expected to stay at home and look pretty Women’s suffrage movement is gaining power Women’s suffrage movement is gaining power – Women who supported the movement were deemed unfeminine and rebellious

Cultural Influences: Southern Has its own set of standards Has its own set of standards Technologically behind the North Technologically behind the North Still suffering the effects of the Civil War Still suffering the effects of the Civil War Women are more subordinate Women are more subordinate South takes longer to develop industrially and socially because of antebellum values South takes longer to develop industrially and socially because of antebellum values

Cultural Influences: Creole Catholic in a Protestant country Catholic in a Protestant country Considered elite members of society Considered elite members of society Lived according to European society Lived according to European society Very conservative Very conservative Committed to husbands & children Committed to husbands & children – A woman belonged to her husband & the male had absolute control over the family Deep personal & religious commitment to fidelity Deep personal & religious commitment to fidelity No hope of feminist movement taking hold No hope of feminist movement taking hold

Influences: 4 Literary Movements Romantic Movement / Romanticism Romantic Movement / Romanticism – Emphasized imagination & emotions Realism Realism – Reflects life as it actually is Naturalism Naturalism – Frankly represents life’s details Local Color writers Local Color writers – “regional literature” - fiction and poetry that focuses on the characters, dialect, customs, topography, and other features particular to a specific region. (Creole)

Themes Independence Independence Awakening (figurative) Awakening (figurative) Social Constraints Social Constraints Men vs. Women = perception & roles Men vs. Women = perception & roles Solitude Solitude Self-expression Self-expression Suffering Suffering Death/suicide Death/suicide Love/romance/sexual relationships Love/romance/sexual relationships

Symbols / Motifs ArtFood BirdsSwimming ClothesThe moon HousesSea – ocean, gulf SleepMusic

Major Characters Edna Pontellier Edna Pontellier Leonce Pontellier Leonce Pontellier Robert Lebrun Robert Lebrun Adele Ratignolle Adele Ratignolle M. Reisz M. Reisz Alcee Acrobin Alcee Acrobin

Minor Characters Victor Lebrun Victor Lebrun Mariequita Mariequita The Colonel The Colonel Etienne and Raoul Pontellier Etienne and Raoul Pontellier Mrs. Highcamp Mrs. Highcamp The lady in black The lady in black The two lovers The two lovers

Has Appeared on the AP Test:

Reading Schedule: Chapters 1-15 quiz:Friday, Chapters 1-15 quiz:Friday, Chapters quiz:Tuesday, Chapters quiz:Tuesday, Chapters quiz:Friday, Chapters quiz:Friday, Submit the focused reading/quote & question Thursday (18), Monday (22), and Thursday (25). Submit the focused reading/quote & question Thursday (18), Monday (22), and Thursday (25).

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