Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Awakening Group 2 Question - Response
1. Trace the characterization of Mademoiselle Reisz throughout the novel. Explain her importance as an artist and as adviser to Edna, as well as to the meaning of the novel as a whole. What connection does she have to the bird symbolism which is associated with Edna’s awakening, and how is she connected to the theme of truth vs. self-deception?
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In General, Mademoiselle Reisz is Edna's primary guide towards her awakening. Mademoiselle Reisz symbolizes and embodies every quality Edna desires to portray. Although, through the eyes of many other individuals on Grand Isle, Mademoiselle Reisz is simply a portrayal of a standard, old woman, without much meaning besides entertainment, Edna seeks to gain the same degree of freedom Reisz obtains throughout her life. Mademoiselle Reisz is a modest woman, detached for the confinement of society. She upholds the idea of free expression of self, through her passion of playing the piano and interconnecting with others through her music. As she illustrates her spirit through her artistic expression, Edna becomes envious, yet influenced by Mademoiselle Reisz’s foregoing independence. Mademoiselle Reisz is intrigued by Edna’s ongoing interest in her representation of self. Through Edna’s new found relationship with Mademoisells Reisz, Edna is more so able to come to terms with the life she aspires to live. However, even as she is presented a sign of a possible awakening, Edna continues to fail in her attempt to accept or gain such a life. It becomes obvious that Edna’s strong desire to obtain the life she yearns falls short of coinciding with the reality of her circumstances. Although Edna seeks to live a care free life, as Reisz does, she is only able to hope to be as care free, rather than actually envelope such a persona.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chioma's statement that "Edna seeks to gain the same degree of freedom Reisz obtains throughout her life." Chopin opens the novel with a parrot, symbolizing the Edna we first meet before she awakens. This bird "hung in a cage outside the door" (Chopin 5) and "could speak a little Spanish and also a language which nobody understood." On the other hand, the mocking bird whistles "his fluty notes out upon the breeze with maddening persistence." Edna resembles the parrot for she seeks freedom; she craves to find herself within the pressure to satisfy everyone’s predictions about her as she tends to unwillingly while the mocking bird, or who she desires to resemble, can freely and openly whistle as he wishes. Due to the society in which Edna lives in, she can not "whistle" her "fluty notes" whenever she would like to. However, when she meets Mademoiselle Reisz, she can. The tunes in Mademoiselle's music and advice move the emotions within Edna. She grows confused at times as to whether she likes or dislikes Mademoiselle, however, she still urges to keep in contact with her, being the only person she can truly confide in. As Mademoiselle plays, Edna visualizes a man who “looked toward a distant bird winging its flights away from him” (Chopin 44), symbolizing Edna becoming independent from her husband, Léonce. Mademoiselle Reisz advises Edna on how “to be an artist” (Chopin 106). As a an artist who casts “a general air or surprise and genuine satisfaction…as they [see her] enter” (Chopin 43), she clearly holds the power and experience to counsel Edna in such matters. Edna fails to realize as to why she begins crying with Mademoiselle’s music. A small change in her attitude towards Léonce occurs when he tries convincing her to go inside, for he tells her, “I can’t permit you to stay out there all night” (Chopin 53). Edna replies, “Don’t speak to me like that again; I shall not answer you” (Chopin 53). The realities press “into her soul.” She attempts ignoring the love she has for Robert when she stands in Alcée’s presence, however, she finally feels she betrays Robert by being with Alcée, not feeling guilt at the thought of Léonce. After avoiding admitting the truth, she does, of course, to Mademoiselle Reisz, who already knows the truth before Edna realizes it.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the previous stated analysis, Mademoiselle encourages Edna to future acknowledge a higher sense of self-expression through the music. Thus, through the art of the music, Edna reaches a point of development by revealing to herself, a factor of long suppressed emotions. As Edna is unable to understand the music at first instance, she slowly progresses in her attempts to conjure ways to enhance her inner comprehension of artistic expression. Initially, Mrs. Pontellier does not fully understand the Creole society. Rather than to grasp and profoundly interpret their ways, she simply attempts to recreate and reenacts everything a Creole woman represents. “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 12). Thus, throughout the novel it becomes obvious that Mrs. Pontellier struggles in her attempts to be accepted by the Creole people, due to her inability to portray the actions of the creoles. Additionally, Chopin illustrates the contrast between how Edna proceeds to react towards Madame Ratiogonolle’s interpretation of music in opposition to her response towards Mademoiselle Reisz music. Edna first displays her perception of self-expression as she becomes intrigued and inspired by the music of Madame Adele Ratignolle. However Edna forces herself to try to appreciate Madame Ratignolle’s music through the visions of assembled images within her mind. She attempts to give reasoning as to why Adele plays the piano and how she proceeds to shine light upon her expression of self. “Infusing an expression into the strains which was indeed inspiring...She was keeping up her music on the count of her children” (Chopin 31).However, as Mrs. Pontellier first hears Mademoiselle Reisz playing of “Solitude”, she is unable of summon images that would help to clarify meaning to the sounds, rather, her mind becomes instantly aware of the purpose of the song. “She waited for the material pictures, which she thought would gather and blaze before her imagination...She saw no pictures of solitude, of hope, of longing, or of despair. But the very passions themselves were aroused within her soul, swaying it, lashing it, as the waves daily beat upon her splendid body” (Chopin 34). As she is taken in by Mademoiselle’s music she becomes overwhelmed by endless emotions, rather than images, thus displaying a gradual awakening within her.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally Chopin displays a parallel change in the manner of the birds when Adele plays the piano vs. and when Mademoiselle plays. As Chopin first presents the birds within the novel, she uses the birds to exemplify Edna’s previous state of discontentment in comparison to her progression towards an awakening. As Madame Ratignolle plays the piano Chopin proceeds to introduce the parrot, once again. “’Allez vous-en! Sapristi!’ shrieked the parrot outside the door. He was the only being present who possessed sufficient candor to admit that he was not listening to these gracious performances for the first time that summer” (Chopin 30).Through the presentation of the parrot, Chopin illustrates Edna’s confinement within the same reoccurring factors of life. As the parrot is the only being able to admit to itself that it was not hearing the same chords for the first time, Chopin displays Edna’s inability to acknowledge her continuous misleading conception of life whenever she hears Adele play. However, as Mademoiselle plays the piano, Edna is finally able to acknowledge a feeling of isolation, through the image of a bird and a naked man in her mind. “When she heard it there came before her imagination the figure of a man standing beside a desolate rock on the seashore ...His attitude was one of hopeless resignation as he looked towards a distant bird winging its flight away from him.” (Chopin 33). At this moment, Edna experiences her first real awakening. Her vision of the bird flying away from the lonely man, symbolizes her feeling of “solitude” and isolation. Thus, Edna feeling of various, previously restrained emotions enable her to become deeply influenced by Mademoiselle Reisz music, in terms of her awakening in life.
ReplyDelete“Her playing had aroused a fever of enthusiasm. ‘What passion!’ ‘What an artist!’ ‘I have always said no one could play Chopin like Mademoiselle Reisz’” (Chopin 45). Mademoiselle’s success as an artist can be seen in the audience’s reactions when she plays at Grand Isle. This demonstrates her tremendous and long experience as a talented pianist. She is admired by the people in presence only for her fascinating talent, for she “had quarreled with almost everyone” (Chopin 43).
ReplyDelete“I wonder if I shall ever be stirred again as Mademoiselle Reisz’s playing moved me tonight” (Chopin 49). The first time Mademoiselle Reisz plays the piano in Edna’s presence, Edna becomes overwhelmed. She becomes confused and extremely emotional. “Edna was what she herself called very fond of music” (Chopin 44). With music, she can think and imagine herself as she desires. She lives freely in the music’s tunes. “It was during such a mood that Edna hunted up Mademoiselle Reisz” (Chopin 98).
On days when Edna feels discontent, she seeks Mademoiselle Reisz. When she feels confused or just negative towards life or her society, she seeks Mademoiselle Reisz. When she feels hopeless or worthless, she does not work, does not do anything but seek Mademoiselle’s great music and voice. Mademoiselle possesses a way of provoking Edna to think and ponder her decisions and the truth about her feelings.
“Don’t stir all the warmth out of your coffee; drink it. Though the letter might as well have been sent to you; it was nothing but Mrs. Pontellier from beginning to end” (Chopin 105). Mademoiselle can causes Edna to become anxious and intrigued with the things she tells her. Although they do not know each other completely, Mademoiselle knows she is the connection between Edna and Robert.
“I do not know your talent or your temperament. To be an artist includes much; one must possess many gifts -absolute gifts- which have not been acquired by one’s own effort. And, moreover, to succeed, the artist must possess the courageous soul” (Chopin 106). Once Edna shares with Mademoiselle that she will become an artist, Mademoiselle shares her knowledge of the characteristics an artist must possess, not acquire. An artist must be naturally gifted and have courage. She emphasizes the courage and bravery statement because she knows Edna lacks these qualities. A non-independent, confused, young woman can not possibly have the courage to overcome obstacles--like cages--to reach success in art.
“There was nothing which so quieted the turmoil of Edna’s senses as a visit to Mademoiselle Reisz. It was then, in presence of the personality which was offensive to her, that the woman, by her divine art, seemed to reach Edna’s spirit and set it free” (Chopin 131). Mademoiselle has the ability of helping Edna find answers to her questions. Her words of wisdom allow Edna to find herself easily, contrasting herself spirit from flesh. Spirit- what she desires, her goals, her love, her being. Flesh- her attire, her impressions, her society.
ReplyDelete“ ‘Does he write to you? Never a line. Does he send you a message? Never a word. It is because he loves you, poor fool, and is trying to forget you, since you are not free to listen to him or to belong to him” (Chopin 134). Mademoiselle, as an open-minded, assertive woman, feels no compunction when expressing to Edna her opinion of her. She tells her she is not a free woman, emphasizing a reason as to why Edna admires her. Mademoiselle can choose to love who ever she wants unlike Edna, who lives lost in a marriage with no love and no comfort.
“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” (Chopin 141). This is a clear sign that Edna has awakened to an extent that she feels she has control of her own decisions. She no longer cares for the approvals of those around her on her choices, regardless if she lives with them or is related to them. She, as a woman with her own home making her own money as a painter, is seen as independent, as a free, powerful, brave woman. Bravery- a quality Mademoiselle once said an artist must possess.
Does Mademoiselle Reisz conform to the creole society?
ReplyDeleteMademoiselle Reiz is by far a woan who steers clear of the creole society. She, in no way conforms to the society in any form. Edna's lack of conformity to the society is what draws her towards Mrs.Pontellier. Mademoiselle's reference to the women of the society helps the reader to understand her contrasting viewpoint of the creole way of life. "She promised as those women in society always do, without meaning it. She will not come" (Chopin84). The truths of the women are not believable to Madem Reisz. Because Edna searches and finds Madem Reisz, she is not categorized as one who cannot be evident of her truths. Mademoiselle's quote shows how she is that of a lady who stands true to her word, which is not common in the creole society.
ReplyDelete