Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Awakening Group 3 Question - Response
1. Examine the importance of motherhood as a theme in the novel. Contrast the “mothering” of Edna and of Madame Ratignolle. Trace how their friendship in one sense both begins and ends the novel. By considering both women in terms of their development, their relationships to their children and husbands, and their personal concept of “self,” formulate what you consider to be Chopin’s theme.
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The importance of motherhood in the novel plays a signifacant role.The motheringhood of Edna and Madame Ratignolle is contradictive in a way that makes the reader question who takes the job "motherhood" seriously.Edna displays a lack of intrest in both her children and her husband as the novel progresses,yet this is cauesed by her road to self redemption.Edna's point of view of self formulating is not shown through her poor dimintration of parenting but is displayed through the findings of herself.On many occasions Edna refers to her religious beliefs as a young girl and how her lost of contact affects her life,causing her to lose oneself.Chopin's theme generates an overall meaning of growth prosperity throuhout the novel,displaying characteristics of learning how to cope with different circumstances in life.
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The fact that Edna neglects her children shows that she does not have a relationship with her children. Where a mother would normally run to her child's rescue, she did not. It was even stated that she was not a mother-woman. "In short, Mrs. Pontellier was not a mother-woman. The mother-women seemed to prevail that summer at Grand Isle. It was easy to know them, fluttering about with extended, protecting wings when any harm, real or imaginary, threatened their precious brood. They were women who idolized their children,worshiped their husbands, and esteemed it a holy privilege to efface them as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels."(Chopin 10) "If it was not a mothers place to look after children, whose on on earth was it?..(Chopin 7) This could also be the reason that there was a strain in Mr. and Mrs. Pontellier relationship because of the fact she didn't treat him or the kids with any kind of regard. Yet with Madame Ratignolle she is the exact opposite. She is the epitome of a woman who lives in a creole society. She's a great mother and is in a way subjective to her husband, not minding catering to his every need and fufilling his happiness. Yet, Madame Ratignolle is a static character. Her ways do not change throughout the book. On the other hand, we have Edna who becomes "awaken" and changes. Perhaps, Madame Ratignolle was perfectly content with the way she lived, but it was apparent that Edna was not. Her change and development as a character promotes the theme of search of self and freedom.
ReplyDeleteI actually agree with you Beth and i also feel the reason she is the opposite when she is with Madame Ratigonlle because she makes her feel she is someone. I think by them being friends it helps her cope with being a mother and a wife. Being with her is like her reality check because she admires her. I feel as though their relationship promotes the theme search of self and freedom and flesh vs spirit. When Edna goes home to her family she lives in her own flesh. For example appealing to display little or not interest in her children is living in her flesh but once she gets around Madame she lives in the spirit. The ending was a bit confusing though because when she went out to the ocean I wasnt for sure if she killed herself or what
ReplyDeleteConsistently throughout The Awakening motherhood is brought to the attention of the reader in reference to Madame Pontellier and Madame Ratignolle. Motherhood is a very important theme of the novel because in this way the author can clearly show the differences between the woman who devotes herself only to others and the woman that is beginning to realize the most important person is herself. When one looks at the time period the book is written in the characteristics of motherhood are very concrete, and Edna is very contrasting to the views of what a mother should be. In Chapter four Mr. Pontellier even states that it is difficult "to define to his own satisfaction or anyone else's wherein his wife failed in her duty toward their children" (Chopin 10). In contrast Adele is deemed the perfect "embodiment of every womanly grace and charm" (Chopin 10). I believe that Madame Ratignolle defines herself based off of her family. Her and her husband are very connected, like one being and she adores her children more than anything; always sewing clothes and the like for them. In a sense she is courteous towards her husband’s wishes and perhaps submissive, but not bound. Edna on the other hand defines her self through her own eyes. In her marriage she refuses to become her husband’s property and her children’s slaves and in a raging moment of anger tries to destroy the very object that portrays their union. "taking off her wedding ring, she flung it upon the carpet, when she saw it lying there, she stamped her heel upon it, striving to crush it" (Chopin 71). In searching for her true "self" she realizes the life she has is not the life she wants. The only reason why the motherly characteristics of Adele and Edna differ so much is because Madame Ratignolle is willing to give all of herself to her children and husband but Edna is not. "I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself" (Chopin 64). Madame Pontellier's connection to her children is very distant. She of course loves her children, but in finding herself she basically forgets them and her duty towards them as a mother. Near the end of the novel Madame Ratignolle gives a reminder to "Think of the children, Edna. Oh think of the children! Remember them" (Chopin 149)! Even in Adele's sickness she is concerned for others while Edna it seems is concerned only with her own pleasure. The theme that I got through my reading was self-seeking. The universal idea that the author is trying to portray is that no one should have to modify or formulate themselves based off of the demands of society, family, or personal friends, but remain true to themselves no matter how selfish, unconventional, or self absorbed it may seem.
ReplyDeleteThe question you asked at the end shatriece was the exact same question I asked earlier. Edna states that her husband and her children are a part of her life "but they need not have thought that they could possess her, body and soul" (Chopin 156). This statement makes me wonder well if her own family cannot have the honor of their own wife and mother yielding herself a little bit for them then how can one expect she will allow any one to. This makes me think that in the end she just decided to leave unbound and free in her death.
ReplyDeleteAt one point in the novel Edna is shocked by Adele's behavior, see if you can point that out in your discussion.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your last statement Jerona. In a way it almost makes me feel like she's selfish. For one to take their own life, is taking away from other people. And to tie in what you said Triece to Jerona, the flesh versus spirit part, I think that ties in to the quote "I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself" (Chopin 64). Does that mean she would give up the physically [ flesh ], but won't give up her soul [spirit] ? And to end your curiosity, she did die when she went out to the sea.
ReplyDeleteNear the beginning of the novel at Grand Isle Edna is shocked about how Adele vividly and very detailed discusses what I believe is the birth of one of her children. Edna is not shocked more so about the story itself, but how Adele as well as the rest of Creole society can so openly express themselves. "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). Even the most intimate stories and conversations become unraveled in the mist of Adele who has no restrictions. Because Edna was not born Creole she is not accustomed to the lifestyle completely, but as she continues on in their company she grows "accustomed to like shocks" (Chopin 13). I guess before in her life certain things were deemed as perhaps unladylike or looked down upon but with this knew society she concludes that "wonder would never cease" (Chopin 13).
ReplyDeleteOh and that was in response to Ms. Kimpson
ReplyDeleteYea I agree with you Beth about the flesh vs. spirit thing. That's exactly what she's saying. You can have everything accept my soul. I think it was very selfish of her to commit suicide just because she made the wrong decision in getting married when she wasn't ready. Now her pain is gone but her children and her husband are going to have to live with the grief of not having a mother and a wife. I think she could have found a better solution to coping with her new found "self" suicide is always a cowardly action in my eyes.
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