The Awakening

A re-read of a classic I first encountered in college 30+ years ago, then used in the classroom 25 years ago. It still holds up as an elegantly written, yet ground-breaking story about a woman discovering her autonomy and her self. Written in 1899, the book's theme was scandalous - how dare a woman challenge the societal expectations proscribed for her in marriage and motherhood. But this is exactly what Edna Pontellier does as she strikes out on her own in her 'pigeon house,' to pursue art and her own path. She is neither a mother-woman like Mme Ratignole, nor a dedicated artist like Mlle Reisz and this liminal space allows her to define herself, but also to realize that definition has no place in the world. Set in a resort in show more Louisiana on the Gulf, and then in New Orleans, the southern location labeled Chopin as a regional writer, and she does capture local custom, language (a couple squirmy terms that would no longer be used), and sensibilities. Edna's awakening begins at the seaside resort when she learns to swim and also when she captures the devoted attention of Robert LeBrun, a young man who knows the social boundaries in Creole society. Though she is 28, Edna is both 'old' in her social position, with two young boys, and 'young' in the transformation taking place within as she discovers her sensuality, her talent, and her purpose. Best quote: "The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings. Ut us a sad spectacle to see the weaklings bruised, exhausted, fluttering back to earth." This Norton edition with critical analysis and ancillary materials (such as Chopin's 'retraction' after the novel is skewered by critics and she is essentially blacklisted) was a gem. show less

Edna Pontellier “awakens” during another summer spent with her husband and children on Grande Isle, LA. The sultry nights, the hypnotic lapping of the waves on the beach, the intoxicating scents and the attentions of one person in particular all combine to bring strength to Edna’s inner self. Slowly, she comes to feel that she has stifled the person inside her for her husband, her family and society. She is unable to fully explain what is happening to her, but she knows that she can no longer be untrue to herself.

I really enjoyed this novella. I could not help but think about Edith Wharton’s House of Mirth; I see so many parallels between Lily Bart and Edna. The time frame is similar (late 1890s), as is the inner turmoil of our show more heroine as she tries to make decisions about her life. While Edna is older than Lily, and has already achieved a measure of success in society (i.e. she has married well, has two charming children and a lovely home), she, like Lily, longs for something that will result in her removal from the society she knows.

The novella unfolds slowly, with limited dialogue, but a vivid sense of place. There is languorousness about the writing that mimics the languor felt on a hot and humid summer day on Grand Isle. Two scenes provide a perfect contrast and illustrate Edna’s awakening spirit. In one she sits with her husband on the veranda all night with scarcely a word between them and a palpable distance. In the other she spends an afternoon napping, while her friend Robert sits outside under a tree waiting; and despite the physical distance and lack of personal contact portrayed there is a palpable intimacy between them.

Without expressing her feelings exactly, the novel gave me insight into how Edna must have felt – excited by this new phase of her life, afraid to reveal how much it means to her, unsure she’s chosen wisely, full of regret, and finally accepting. show less

1) I'm not a fan of the approach that Edna Pontellier takes to her life and her sense of freedom
2) However, she fills her role with dedication to her perceptions, regardless of what I may think of them. Chopin goes all out with her as a character, regardless of the direction she is going in.
3) I like Chopin's prose and descriptions of the setting and various details
4) I don't have to agree with the character and her choices, to get something positive out of this book
5) I often strongly hate infidelity plots, and nothing about this novel makes it morally okay, but in a lot of regards, it doesn't seem to be trying to, from my perspective. In some ways, doing so seems to create even more difficulty in Edna's life, as well as more show more confusion and despondency for her
6) You can take a lot of different perspectives with this work, its setting and its characters, and that makes it interesting to me show less

So many reviews have been written about this classic - first printed in 1899. The majority of the contemporary reviewers rave about Kate Chopins insight and audacity to write about ‘women’s rights” and yearnings for freedom and independence. However, at the time the book was published it was a total flop, considered scandalous, and it ruined Chopin's career and her reputation. She was shunned.

Kate Chopin was a gifted storyteller, writing in mesmerizing prose that captured the ambience of the scenes which were drenched in provocative sensual innuendos. She had the ability to express passion without getting graphic or even mentioning sex. But, that did little to help her stature in the era of Victorianism. The readers were appalled show more at the story line and the plot. And I don’t blame them.

Long story short - The central character Edna Pontellier is married to a wealthy man, eleven years older than herself, and even though he genuinely seems to love her, he is rigid and formal in matters of social etiquette and female roles in a marriage. On the other hand, Edna is selfishly looking to expand her horizons and doesn’t care how that affects others. In this short novella, the author never divulges the circumstances of how Edna and her husband met, or what the initial attractions were, but I guess that is of no relevance since Chopin makes it clear that Edna “has had an awakening”, and now views life differently.

And I suppose many women reading this book today tend to sympathize with Edna - she was a feminist way before her time. But she is not a likable character. She contributes nothing to her marriage, or the welfare of her children. She thinks by doing anything expected in running a traditional household she is being submissive. Her husband provides for her - an exquisite home with many servants and a nanny so her time was virtually her own and yet she could not find time to help her husband by occasionally entertaining the wives of his business associates - just one example of her selfish behavior. All she is concerned with is her own debauchery and self-gratification. She throws tantrums and is rude. She is a spoiled brat. She is weak, and uncompromising. And the ending of the book is disgusting. It is a shame she could not have been born 100 years later, or had psychotherapy because she craves total independence but is not willing to give up her opulent lifestyle. She seeks the attention of men with no strings attached, but I fear no matter who she chose as a partner their expectations would have been beyond her comprehension.

One thing that contributed to my poor rating is Kate Chopin’s complete failure to delve into Edna’s mental state and express her emotions. Without any lead-in - in a matter of moments - Edna went from being a strong stubborn woman to a docile coward. The change was too sudden and too unexpected. It was a contrived ending.

In real life Kate Chopin suffered from depression. She was 50 years old when this book was published and died 4 years later - receiving little recognition for her accomplishment in writing this book. It wasn’t until 60 years later during the sexual revolution of the hippies and the onset of the feminist movement that the book resurfaced and became popular. And it is still being read today - and praised. I have no idea why - unless it is as a lesson on “how not to get the most out of life”.

Rated 2.5 Stars January 2025 show less

"But when she was there beside the sea, absolutely alone, she cast the unpleasant, pricking garments from her, and for the first time in her life she stood naked in the open air, at the mercy of the sun, the breeze that beat upon her, and the waves that invited her."

Peace and acceptance of the supreme loneliness of being human found in suicide... Truly not the story I should be reading, but definitely the story I needed. The ending is so happy to me—Edna finds her freedom and her peace in existing alone. I wish so desperately to find that one day too (perhaps with a bit less suicide).

Pioneering feminist work bogged down by its emotionally distant atmosphere, without any room for complete immersion nor resonance, The Awakening tells the frustrating ambivalence and wavering desire of the unhappily married Edna Pontellier. Caught in the surging waters of domesticity, while living a comfortable life on its treacherously calm surface, Edna wades around for any sense of purpose. But she is tied by social norms, which pulls her underneath. This is exacerbated by other women, wives and mothers both, swimming around her, docile and obedient, as they trap themselves happily within the borders of opportunities or lack thereof, entirely contented by the lacklustre life laid out before them. Be a wife, be a mother, they say. Be show more grateful, they say. But Edna could not accept such a fate, yet she does not know what path to take for herself. She is neither an enthusiastic wife nor an enthusiastic mother. Kate Chopin writes this as an 'indescribable oppression, which seems to generate in some unfamiliar part of her (Edna's) consciousness'. So Edna moves her arms, tightens her muscles, does two, three strokes, cuts across these marital and maternal waters, 'she wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before.' Edna rebels in immoral and disagreeable ways. However, not even the temporary (false) freedom and (sly) satisfaction and (tyrannous) thrill provided by anything forbidden—as an aspiring painter, as a pining lover—satiates her soul. Every choice is impeded by a society only interested in making her a woman like a million others. What's left is to take the only thing she tightly clasps between her fingers; the only thing she owns, even if it has been (unsuccessfully) shaped into everyone's expectations. So she let the strong current swallow her, drag her down—willingly and wantonly for once. show less

This was written at the early dawn of the first wave feminist activist period of the late 1800’s / early 1900’s that resulted in the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote. As such, I cut this book a good degree of slack in what I consider to be its incoherence. Yes, Edna Pontellier comes to realize that she is experiencing “the problem which has no name” described by Betty Friedan in “The Feminine Mystique” 1963. She is unhappy and unfulfilled in her rigidly enforced role of wife and mother. Plus, she doesn’t like her husband, and clearly has a strong, but slumbering sex drive. She is very attracted to other men, and they to her, so the set-up becomes something of a powder keg waiting to be ignited. Her one model show more of a woman who has forged a life for herself and only herself, Mademoiselle Reisz, is depicted as a rather unpleasant character: ugly, somewhat impoverished, and consigned to living in a grimy hovel that contrasts with the beautifully-appointed luxury homes Edna gets to reside in by virtue of her position as wife of a rich guy. So after several years of marriage and two children, Edna “awakens” during a summer holiday at Grand Isle, where she meets and falls in love with Robert, son of the owner of the resort where she is staying. Robert returns her feelings, but understands the rules and flees rather than pursue an affair that would result in universal condemnation for them both.

Edna returns to New Orleans after the summer interlude and almost immediately comes to realize she cannot continue as before and re-enter the gilded cage. This is where the incoherence comes in for me. She flails about, stops fulfilling her social obligations - greatly annoying her utterly conventional husband, takes up art, starts a casual affair with a well-known seducer, and attempts rather lamely to live on her own. And that’s the problem for me, Edna just has no clue of what to do, so she just gives up. There were other ways, but either they just don’t occur to her, or she knows she hasn’t the strength to endure society’s opprobrium. In 1899, the brick wall was still too high and impenetrable.

The setting is southern Louisiana so the text contains a lot of casual racism. Additionally there are a few odd language “tics” (e.g., I don’t think the author once uses “on” when she could instead use “upon. Play “upon’ the piano? Really?) These things really grate on the modern ear. show less