Mrs. McGowan
English III
30 September 2016
Blog Post 3
Using a bullet point style list, identify text to support each major theme as noted in the calendar. There should be a minimum of TWO direct quotes per theme. Then, explain how this text supports the noted theme. This question should be answered in 3rd person limited point of view with direct quotes cited properly in MLA format. Please see https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ for assistance with this.
- Freedom: Quote 1: “Sailing across the bay to the Cheniere Caminada, Edna felt as if she were being borne away from some anchorage which had held her fast, whose chains had been loosening—had snapped the night before when the mystic spirit was abroad, leaving her free to drift whithersoever she chose to set her sails.” (Chopin)
Quote 2: “Without even waiting for an answer from her husband regarding his
opinion or wishes in the matter, Edna hastened her preparations for quitting
her home on Esplanade Street and moving into the little house around the block.
A feverish anxiety attended her every action in that direction.” (Chopin)
These two quotes support the theme of freedom because Mrs. Pontellier has finally felt free by going to the island with Robert. She did not have to have permission from her husband because she felt that she could make her own decisions in life. The second piece of text supports the theme of freedom because Edna did not care about her husband’s decision about renting the “pigeon house,” instead she followed her own path, and moved in to it. Earlier in the novella, Edna Pontellier would not have thought twice about making her own decisions and living life the way she wanted to because her husband and children controlled most of her life. But, now since Edna has become more aware of her awakening, she has decided to let go a little and go through life with free will.
- Sexism: Quote 1: “He reproached his wife with her inattention, her habitual neglect of the children. If it was not a mother's place to look after children, whose on earth was it?” (Chopin)
Quote 2: “It would have been a difficult matter for Mr. Pontellier to define to
his own satisfaction or any one else's wherein his wife failed in her duty
toward their children.” (Chopin)
Edna
Pontellier has been scolded with her husband’s sexist remarks the whole time
she has been married to him. Mr. Pontellier believes that it is a women’s job
to take care of children, not the father’s. This theme has plagued Edna’s life
as a mother which is one of the reasons why Edna has decided to awaken from her
dream and live in reality. Reality being that Edna does not have to listen to
her husband’s orders or requests, including taking full responsibility of the
children. These two quotes show the neglect that Mr. Pontellier shows towards
his children because to him, it is only the mother who shall take care of the
children, not the father’s job to do so. This shows sexism because it relates
only one gender to do something, in this case, to take care of the children.
- Search for self: Quote 1: “But as she sat there amid her guests, she felt the old ennui overtaking her; the hopelessness which so often assailed her, which came upon her like an obsession, like something extraneous, independent of volition.” (Chopin)
Quote 2: “When she heard it there came before her imagination the figure of a
man standing beside a desolate rock on the seashore. He was naked. His attitude
was one of hopeless resignation as he looked toward a distant bird winging its
flight away from him.” (Chopin)
Quote 3: “That summer at Grand Isle she began to loosen a little the mantle of
reserve that had always enveloped her. There may have been—there must have
been—influences, both subtle and apparent, working in their several ways to
induce her to do this; but the most obvious was the influence of Adele
Ratignolle.” (Chopin)
Edna
Pontellier has been searching for her sense of self throughout the entire
novella. These quotes show how Edna has been searching and why she continued to
search for her sense of self. In the first quote, Edna has started to find her
sense of self, however began to lose it once she was around other guests. At
this point in the novella, Mrs. Pontellier could not pinpoint exactly what her
purpose was, but she did know that being hopeless her whole life was not one of
them, so she decided to make her own path. In the second quote, Edna has discovered
her liking and connection to Madame Reisz’s playing. Madame Reisz’s playing
brought images into Edna’s mind which reflected her inner self. The naked man
by the seashore watching the bird flying was Edna’s inner self trying to convey
itself. Edna wished to feel free just like the man and she wanted to fly away just
like the bird. These two metaphors represent Edna’s desire to live a new live,
which is how she finds her sense of self in the end of the novella. In the
third quote, Adele Ratignolle was the person who Mrs. Pontellier came to like
and look up to. The reason for this was because Adele spoke what was on her
mind and did as she pleased, she had no one to boss her around. Edna wished to
be like Adele, free and independent, so Edna set out for that kind of lifestyle
by saying what was on her mind and not taking orders from anyone, not even her
husband. All three of these factors played a large role in Edna Pontellier
developing her sense of self.
Private Life Quote: “Robert's going had some way taken the brightness, the
color, the meaning out of everything. The conditions of her life were in no way
changed, but her whole existence was dulled, like a faded garment which seems
to be no longer worth wearing. She sought him everywhere—in others whom she
induced to talk about him.” (Chopin)
These
two quotes represent Edna Pontellier’s public and private life because in her
public life, she feels free and happy, however in her private life, she feels
dull and useless. Robert makes Edna feel happy and unchained which makes her
public life look perfect and exciting. However, Mr. Pontellier makes Edna feel
depressed and ordered around which affects her private life because inside Edna
is chained to her husband until she decides to let go and live a life of her
own. Edna essentially lives a double life, the first life is a mask that she
wears around in public, but when she is in private, Edna takes off the mask and
lives her true self.
*Personal reflection focus – could this have ended any other way for Edna Pontellier? Consider your posts throughout the novel on this blog where you discussed characterization, setting, historical context, and society. Use evidence from the text to support your answer. This may be written in narrative style using 1st person point of view. Text should still be cited appropriately.
Yes, this could have ended in another way for Edna because she could have chosen to get a divorce from her husband and move in with Robert Lebrun. This path would still leave the children with a mom to come home to, while living with the person she loves. Edna would be happy with her new life because she now knows how to express herself without constricting her lifestyle of fun and joy. “‘Something put into my head that you cared for me; and I lost my senses. I forgot everything but a wild dream of your some way becoming my wife.’” (Chopin). Edna was happy with Robert and Robert was willing to marry Edna if she wasn’t married, however it was always possible that Edna and Leonce could get a divorce if it meant that both characters would be happier separated. Edna and Robert could have also lived in the “pigeon house” together and the children could have lived with Mr. Pontellier in the big house. Edna would have most likely got a job as an artist to be able to pay for the “pigeon house.” “Upon his arrival she began by introducing him to her atelier and making a sketch of him. He took the whole matter very seriously.” (Chopin). Because Edna was talented in drawing and painting, she could have taken her talents to the next level by selling her art and making a career out of it. Society was already accepting Edna Pontellier as a changed person, so these actions would not have affected her lifestyle or point of view of other people.
Citation: Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. Seven Treasures Publications, 2008. Online Ed
Casey Darbonne
Mrs. McGowan
English III
9 September 2016
Blog Post 2
Essential question focus: What words or phrases were unique to the text and how did they contribute to the overall understanding of the novella? This question should be answered in 3rd person limited point of view with direct quotes cited properly in MLA format.
Personal reflection focus: Select on piece of evidence from the text and explain why you found this to be a particularly well written sentence (or paragraph) and then explain how it impacted you directly as a reader and/or connected to your life in a way that develops your own "sense of self." This may be written in narrative style using 1st person point of view. Text should still be cited appropriately
Essential question focus- Many words and phrases are used in this novella to describe an important time in Edna's life. One of these phrases is "pseudo-intellectual women- super-spiritual superior beings..." (Chopin) This phrase was unique because it describes women who want to be different like they were a new species. This also contributes to the overall understanding of the novella because Edna Pontellier is starting her awakening and some people may refer to her like this. This quote also shows how women are supposed to act in a certain way based on society's standards.
Another phrase that is unique to the text is '"She's making it devilishly uncomfortable for me,' he went on nervously. 'She's got some sort off notion in her head concerning the eternal rights of women; and- you understand- we meet in the morning at the breakfast table.'" (Chopin) This quote contributes to the overall understanding of the novella because it proves that women had no right to say what they pleased. Women were also considered uneducated because they didn't know "the eternal rights of women" and what that meant. This quote is also unique to the text because of the word "devilish," people now wouldn't say that because it is not a modernized term. Instead, people would substitute the word "devilish" to the word "very."
Lastly, a phrase that is unique to this novella is "'The city atmosphere has improved her. Some way she doesn't seem like the same woman."' (Chopin) This is unique because Edna Pontellier went to the city and developed a new sense of self, making herself a new woman. By making herself a new woman, she realized her worth and belonging in this world as a woman. This contributes to the understanding of The Awakening because she now knows that she is not a slave towards her husband, Mr. Pontellier, and does not try to please him whenever he orders her to do something.
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Personal Reflection Focus- One piece from the text that I find to be well written is "The shadows deepened in the little room. The music grew strange and fantastic- turbulent, insistent, plaintive and soft with entreaty." (Chopin) To me, this text is very well written because of its use of imagery. I can almost hear the piece that is being played by Madame Reisz because the scene is described so well. This impacted me as a reader because I could not only see Madame Reisz playing on the piano, but I could almost hear the sound of the music as well. This connects to my own sense of self because I want a more quiet and peaceful life, not one that is chaotic. This quote develops my own sense of self because I like to be organized and prepared, but every once in a while, I like to surprise people, which is exactly what this quote and piece did to Edna Pontellier.
Citation: Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. Seven Treasures Publications, 2008. Online Ed
Casey Darbonne
Mrs. McGowan
English III
2 September 2016
Blog Post 1
Essential question focus- How is Edna Pontellier struggling with her sense of self? Identify evidence from the text in characterization, plot, and setting that develop this idea in the novella? Do not neglect the impact of other characters, historical context, or society expectations on her identity. Both questions should be answered in 3rd person limited point of view with direct quotes cited properly in MLA format.
Personal reflection focus- What do you believe to be the most critical element in the novel thus far? Paraphrase text to support your answer. This may be written in narrative style using 1st person point of view. Paraphrased text should still be cited appropriately.
Essential Question Focus- Edna is struggling with her sense of self because she wants to break the standards of society. This first started when Edna Pontellier began talking to Madame Ratignolle. "There may have been - there must have been- influences, both subtle and apparent, working in their several ways to induce her to do this; but the most obvious was the influence of Adele Ratignolle." (Chopin) By meeting with Adele frequently, Edna began to realize a part of her sense of self because she began to feel more free and in control of her own life. This all started when Adele Ratignolle expressed herself freely in her expression. At first, Mrs. Pontellier found this behavior very shocking, but began to become accustomed to the idea. "Their freedom of expression was at first incomprehensible to her, though she had no difficulty in reconciling it with a lofty chastity which in the Creole woman seems to be inborn and unmistakable." (Chopin) By Madame Ratignolle freely expressing herself, Edna Pontellier felt that she should do the same.
Later in The Awakening, Edna Pontellier broke away from society's expectations of a woman following to her husbands demands. She finally could say what she wanted and not be judged for that. "She heard him moving about the room; every sound indicating impatience and irritation. Another time she would have gone in at his request. She would, through habit, have yielded to his desire; not with any sense of submission or obedience to his compelling wishes, but unthinkingly, as we walk, move, sit, stand, go through the daily treadmill of the life which has been portioned out to us." (Chopin) By saying no to her husband, Edna feels as though she has a new power never before discovered. However, later in the book, Edna finds herself in a new situation.
She thought that she had the power to say and do whatever she wanted, but instead found a new problem in her life. "'I left no excuse. I told Joe to say I was out, that was all.'
'Why, my dear, I should think you'd understand by this time that people dont do such things; we've got to observe les convenances if we ever expect to get on and keep up with the procession. If you felt that you had to leave home this afternoon, you should have left some suitable explanation for your absence."' (Chopin) Edna felt that this conversation was unnecessary because she was her own person and felt that she did not need to have permission from her husband to go out somewhere. While Edna was in trouble for her outing and lack of excuse, her husband, Leonce, could go wherever he wanted and when he wanted. '"Where are you going?' asked Edna, seeing that her husband arose from the table without having eaten a morsel except a taste of the highly-seasoned soup.
'I'm going to get my dinner at the club. Good night.'" (Chopin) In this moment, Edna started to struggle with her sense of self again because she still did not possess the power to do things independently.
Personal Reflection Focus- I believe that the most critical element to this novel so far has to be the power of authority that controls her. In most cases, that authoritative figure is her husband. Without his character and authority over Edna in this novel, Edna would not have to struggle with her sense of self. "When Mr. Pontellier asked for a reasonable excuse to Edna's outing, Leonce was able to go to the club freely without permission. Edna was familiar with this scene many times and was restricted to go places because of his authority over her." (Chopin) This is the most critical element to this novel because Edna is beginning to awaken her senses of her own power and control over her life. Without Leonce Pontellier controlling Edna, then there would no conflict in this novel.
Citation: Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. Seven Treasures Publications, 2008. Online Ed
Essential Question Focus- Edna is struggling with her sense of self because she wants to break the standards of society. This first started when Edna Pontellier began talking to Madame Ratignolle. "There may have been - there must have been- influences, both subtle and apparent, working in their several ways to induce her to do this; but the most obvious was the influence of Adele Ratignolle." (Chopin) By meeting with Adele frequently, Edna began to realize a part of her sense of self because she began to feel more free and in control of her own life. This all started when Adele Ratignolle expressed herself freely in her expression. At first, Mrs. Pontellier found this behavior very shocking, but began to become accustomed to the idea. "Their freedom of expression was at first incomprehensible to her, though she had no difficulty in reconciling it with a lofty chastity which in the Creole woman seems to be inborn and unmistakable." (Chopin) By Madame Ratignolle freely expressing herself, Edna Pontellier felt that she should do the same.
Later in The Awakening, Edna Pontellier broke away from society's expectations of a woman following to her husbands demands. She finally could say what she wanted and not be judged for that. "She heard him moving about the room; every sound indicating impatience and irritation. Another time she would have gone in at his request. She would, through habit, have yielded to his desire; not with any sense of submission or obedience to his compelling wishes, but unthinkingly, as we walk, move, sit, stand, go through the daily treadmill of the life which has been portioned out to us." (Chopin) By saying no to her husband, Edna feels as though she has a new power never before discovered. However, later in the book, Edna finds herself in a new situation.
She thought that she had the power to say and do whatever she wanted, but instead found a new problem in her life. "'I left no excuse. I told Joe to say I was out, that was all.'
'Why, my dear, I should think you'd understand by this time that people dont do such things; we've got to observe les convenances if we ever expect to get on and keep up with the procession. If you felt that you had to leave home this afternoon, you should have left some suitable explanation for your absence."' (Chopin) Edna felt that this conversation was unnecessary because she was her own person and felt that she did not need to have permission from her husband to go out somewhere. While Edna was in trouble for her outing and lack of excuse, her husband, Leonce, could go wherever he wanted and when he wanted. '"Where are you going?' asked Edna, seeing that her husband arose from the table without having eaten a morsel except a taste of the highly-seasoned soup.
'I'm going to get my dinner at the club. Good night.'" (Chopin) In this moment, Edna started to struggle with her sense of self again because she still did not possess the power to do things independently.
Personal Reflection Focus- I believe that the most critical element to this novel so far has to be the power of authority that controls her. In most cases, that authoritative figure is her husband. Without his character and authority over Edna in this novel, Edna would not have to struggle with her sense of self. "When Mr. Pontellier asked for a reasonable excuse to Edna's outing, Leonce was able to go to the club freely without permission. Edna was familiar with this scene many times and was restricted to go places because of his authority over her." (Chopin) This is the most critical element to this novel because Edna is beginning to awaken her senses of her own power and control over her life. Without Leonce Pontellier controlling Edna, then there would no conflict in this novel.
Citation: Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. Seven Treasures Publications, 2008. Online Ed
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