The Awakening Kate Chopin

Kate ChopinConsidered a forerunner of feminist authors in the 20th century

Published in Atlantic Monthly and Vogue

Lived in Louisiana with her husband Oscar Chopin

When Oscar and her mother died the family doctor proscribed writing as a remedy

The Awakening was ahead of its time and not culturally embraced.

Women’s Rhetoric

What is rhetoric?

How is it different than literature?

Or is it?

Literary CriticsAccording to Andrew Stearns essay called “Civilization in the United States,” women "turn intellectual life into an instrument of moral reform leaving culture crippled and sterile and men repressed and debilitated. Hope lies not in the liberation of women but in the liberation of culture from women and the dull standardization they force upon it, making it a spiritual prison" (119).

American literature is being "strangled with a petticoat" according to Joseph Hergesheimer announced in the Yale Review (1929).

One expectation the more sinister for being unexamined was that women should write as they should live in a minor key, if not journals then "sentimental" novels or "sweet" lyrics about "domestic" affairs.

Setting

What is the significance of the setting?

Why is the setting stifling/ liberating to Edna?

How does the setting impact societal norms and standards.

"Increasingly, southern women had opportunities, but they still faced the complexities of a southern society that claimed to protect southern womanhood as an institution only worthy of the pedastal” --Mary Weaks-Baxter

Cultural Implications

Women were seen as a the “angels of the household” delegated to domestic duties and childrearing.

How does Edna conform to these standards? How does she problematize them?

Once belles are married they are expected to sacrifice everything for the benefit of their husbands and children "even though it call for the sacrifice of their own enjoyments.”—Katherine Siedel

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Refused to be called Mrs. John Stanton.

Refused to have the words “to obey” be included in the wedding vows.

Was married for 47 years and both parties considered the marriage to be a success.

John was not always supportive of his wife’s “projects,” especially suffrage.

You read “On Divorce” by Stanton. How does she try to persuade a male audience that women should be equal partners within marriage?

Do you believe that Edna and Leonce are equal partners in the marriage? Why or why not?

According to this essay, could Edna divorce Leonce? What are the social ramifications of such an action?

Marriage Why does Edna marry Mr. Pontellier?

How does their marriage compare to the Ratignoles’?

In your opinion, what kind of husband is Mr. Pontellier? Does he have redeeming qualities?

Is it fair to judge him by today’s standards? Why or why not?

Children and Motherhood Describe Edna’s relationship to her children.

How does her relationship with her kids compare with that of her friend Adele’s relationship with her children?

Who takes care of the Pontellier children?

Does Edna live up to Mr. Pontellier’s expectations of motherhood? Why or why not?

Edna claims she will give up the unessential but never sacrifice a part of herself for her children. What do you think she means by this statement? Is this a fair statement in your opinion? Why or why not?

Types of Women Chopin presents us with three very different female

characters. With your group, come up with a list of personality traits that you believe define these women. Find some supporting evidence to back up these claims (quotes from the text):

Edna

Mademoiselle Reisz

Adele Ratignole

Stereotypes

Do these women seem stereotypical to you?

Why is Edna unable to conform to the models of womanhood that Reisz and Ratignole present?

Motif and Themes Motif: a recurring element, theme, object,

subject or idea

Theme: a recurrent ideaOften abstract: preservation, powerlessness, good vs. evil, etc.

Motifs Art/Artists

Birds

Food

Sleep/Wakefulness

Swimming/Water

Maya AngelouWriter and Civil Rights Activist

Pulitzer Prize winning poetry collection

I know why the Caged Bird Sings was the first nonfiction book to be a best seller

Read her poetry at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration

Martin Luther King was a friend and confidant

Comparison: Free Writing You read Maya Angelou’s poem, “Caged

Bird.” In what ways is Edna like the Caged bird described in the poem?

In what ways does Edna differ from this bird?

In your opinion is Edna ever free?

Slut Shaming? Edna has three very different relationships with men

throughout the novel. Describe her relationship with each man. What motivates Edna to pursue them?

Leonce Robert Alcee

Several critics renounced the novel believing Edna to be too promiscuous. Is Edna just a slut? Why or why not?

What is your opinion about her morality?

The ending Why are Adele’s last words to Edna so

significant?

Why does Edna return to Grand Isle?

Do you believe she intended to kill herself? Why or why not?

If so, why could she think of no other way out?

What is she thinking about right before she dies?