Chapters I-VII
A)" She was a grown young woman when she was overtaken by what she supposed to be the climax of her fate. It was when the face and figure of a great tragedian began to haunt her imagination and stir her senses. The persistence of the infatuation lent it an aspect of genuineness. The hopelessness of it colored it with the lofty tones of a great passion.
The picture of the tragedian stood enframed upon her desk. Any one may possess the portrait of a tragedian without exciting suspicion or comment. (This was a sinister reflection which she cherished.) In the presence of others she expressed admiration for his exalted gifts, as she handed the photograph around and dwelt upon the fidelity of the likeness. When alone she sometimes picked it up and kissed the cold glass passionately.
Her marriage to Leonce Pontellier was purely an accident, in this respect resembling many other marriages which masquerade as the decrees of Fate. It was in the midst of her secret great passion that she met him. He fell in love, as men are in the habit of doing, and pressed his suit with an earnestness and an ardor which left nothing to be desired. He pleased her; his absolute devotion flattered her. She fancied there was a sympathy of thought and taste between them, in which fancy she was mistaken. Add to this the violent opposition of her father and her sister Margaret to her marriage with a Catholic, and we need seek no further for the motives which led her to accept Monsieur Pontellier for her husband."
pg 23-24 Chapter VII, The Awakening by Kate Chopin
B) In this string of passages Edna Pontellier is caught up in memories of old romances and feelings of love. The three paragraphs above discuss her last youthful dalliance, her peak as she describes it, and the “accidental” transition into marrying Leonce Pontellier. At this point in the story Kate Chopin has established that there is a very cordial relationship between Edna and Leonce, but not one of passion and romance. Edna has also begun feeling stirs of passion, she has started awakening and realizing that her life isn't how she wants it to be. These passages fit well into the developing theme of the story, enlightening the reader to Edna’s desires for passion and to be free of her husband, whom she entered into a hasty marriage with. One reason for this hasty marriage was also to spite her sister Margaret and her father who were hostile to the thought of her marrying a Catholic man, shaky footing for a marriage to be founded on. Edna reveals that her previous engagements like that of her infatuation with the Tragedian provide her with powerful feelings of passion, so much so that she kisses the picture of the Tragedian she has passionately while alone. This revelation provides even more concrete to the developing plot and theme of the story; that Edna is unsatisfied with her life and her love. It is also mentioned that Edna receives a significant amount of satisfaction from the fact that she keeps a picture of her beloved Tragedian but no one else knows her true reason for having it. This plays into the fact that Edna seeks or will seek to break the Creole society traditions and customs as she obviously fancies another man over her husband and seeks more than to adore her husband and care for her children. These passages are critical points for the novels development and foreshadow the coming events as it shows Edna’s current relationship and thoughts on her life are far from happily ever after.
C) The reason I chose these few passages out of the reading was that I believe these three passages sum up a central point to the Awakening’s plot and reveal the inner reasoning's as to why Edna feels the way she does about her life. My thoughts when reading the section on all her previous romantic dalliances and thoughts were all about how she has none of these feelings or the passion for her own husband. An enlightening point in the story that shows the reader how dissatisfied Edna is with her life and justifies her future actions; which can be inferred to be ones of freedom from the strict Creole society traditions. This book as a whole so far, and particularly at this point in the story has expanded my thinking in a positive way. At first glance/read people would see Edna as an unfaithful woman in her thoughts and unappreciative of her lucky lot in life. This is partly true, but at the same time she is not happy with her life and truly wants something different. This precarious moral situation sparks an interesting question on whether or not Edna is in the right to have these thoughts; after all it is her life. Or should societies views on things completely dictate whether someone’s thoughts of what will make them happy are wrong, and whether or not they should be scorned if they pursue what makes them happy, or change what they view is wrong in their life.
Chapters VIII-XIV
Chapter 11 page 42
A) “With a writhing motion she settled herself more securely in the hammock. She perceived that her will had blazed up, stubborn and resistant. She could not at that moment have done other than denied and resisted. She wondered if her husband had ever spoken to her like that before, and if she had submitted to his command. Of course she had; she remembered that she had. But she could not realize why or how she should have yielded, feeling as she then did.”
B) This passage reveals added depth and layers to Edna Pontellier. She has already experienced the first stirs of an “awakening” within in her spirit, and those stirs are finally showing themselves through defiance in the face of her husband's commands. The importance of this moment to the story's plot is immense. A Creole man’s wife seems to live to serve him, but Edna at this moment cannot reason why she used to do so with mindless obedience; it is a turning point in her self-awareness and independence.
C) The change in the language that Edna’s actions and feelings are described with is very powerful and significant at this point in the story. She is now described as “writhing” and “her will had blazed up.” This is a stark contrast between the previous diction and language used before. Previously her character gave off a mindless vibe to the reader, as she lived to obey and simply relax and lounge. The new rebellious diction, like “stubborn” and “resistant,” provide a completely different interpretation of Edna for the reader, one of a woman fighting to be able to make her own decisions. I noticed this shift instantly while reading and made the connection that the shift in diction and Edna’s character development coincides with a rising momentum in the story of her awakening.
A) “With a writhing motion she settled herself more securely in the hammock. She perceived that her will had blazed up, stubborn and resistant. She could not at that moment have done other than denied and resisted. She wondered if her husband had ever spoken to her like that before, and if she had submitted to his command. Of course she had; she remembered that she had. But she could not realize why or how she should have yielded, feeling as she then did.”
B) This passage reveals added depth and layers to Edna Pontellier. She has already experienced the first stirs of an “awakening” within in her spirit, and those stirs are finally showing themselves through defiance in the face of her husband's commands. The importance of this moment to the story's plot is immense. A Creole man’s wife seems to live to serve him, but Edna at this moment cannot reason why she used to do so with mindless obedience; it is a turning point in her self-awareness and independence.
C) The change in the language that Edna’s actions and feelings are described with is very powerful and significant at this point in the story. She is now described as “writhing” and “her will had blazed up.” This is a stark contrast between the previous diction and language used before. Previously her character gave off a mindless vibe to the reader, as she lived to obey and simply relax and lounge. The new rebellious diction, like “stubborn” and “resistant,” provide a completely different interpretation of Edna for the reader, one of a woman fighting to be able to make her own decisions. I noticed this shift instantly while reading and made the connection that the shift in diction and Edna’s character development coincides with a rising momentum in the story of her awakening.
Chapters XV-XIX
Chapter XV pg 60
A) "'So was I,' he blurted. "Perhaps that's the-" He stood up suddenly and held out his hand. "Good-by, my dear Mrs. Pontellier; good-by. You won't- I hope you won't completely forget me." She clung to his hand, striving to detain him."
"Write to me when you get there, won't you, Robert?" she entreated.
"I will, thank you. Good-by."
"How unlike Robert! the merest acquaintance would have said something more emphatic than "I will, thank you; good-by," to such a request."
B) This passage marks a significant change in Edna's life after her awakening has begun. Robert was the man who stirred her passions for the first time and he is now leaving. The way Chopin wrote Edna and Robert's last goodbye before Robert leaves for Mexico adds to the effect of Edna's awakening and her emerging desires, and builds upon her character and Roberts. Before Edna was awakened she would have missed Robert dearly, but not in quite the same way as she does now. It is revealed in these lines that Edna has a much deeper feeling for Robert other than him being her daily companion. The way Robert talks to Edna, no longer with his usual cheerful and semi-flirtatious manner also shows a shift in Robert and reveals a possible reason for his abrupt departure to Mexico. Robert is bound by strict Creole traditions and knows that he cannot have Edna. He is short in his responses to her as he knows that she is now falling for his flirtations and it is his duty, him being bound by a code of honor, to end things and not tempt Edna.
C) The reason that this particular passage stuck out to me as so important in the context of the story was Robert's response to Edna's confusion/anger at his abrupt departure. While reading the text I could feel Robert's desire to express his true feeling for Edna, that he loves her dearly, but that he cannot ever tell her that. In just these few lines there is an immense battle within Roberts mind, one between his love for Edna and his honor towards Creole society and tradition. I think that Chopin shows this through the dialogue that ensues Edna's accusations and anger towards Roberts leaving. The first few words, "So was I," and "Perhaps that's the-," trail off leaving the reader questioning and also knowing at the same time what Robert was going to say. This meeting between Edna and Robert leaves a love affair unfinished between the two, and leaves an opening for it to be rekindled as Enda progresses through her awakening.
A) "'So was I,' he blurted. "Perhaps that's the-" He stood up suddenly and held out his hand. "Good-by, my dear Mrs. Pontellier; good-by. You won't- I hope you won't completely forget me." She clung to his hand, striving to detain him."
"Write to me when you get there, won't you, Robert?" she entreated.
"I will, thank you. Good-by."
"How unlike Robert! the merest acquaintance would have said something more emphatic than "I will, thank you; good-by," to such a request."
B) This passage marks a significant change in Edna's life after her awakening has begun. Robert was the man who stirred her passions for the first time and he is now leaving. The way Chopin wrote Edna and Robert's last goodbye before Robert leaves for Mexico adds to the effect of Edna's awakening and her emerging desires, and builds upon her character and Roberts. Before Edna was awakened she would have missed Robert dearly, but not in quite the same way as she does now. It is revealed in these lines that Edna has a much deeper feeling for Robert other than him being her daily companion. The way Robert talks to Edna, no longer with his usual cheerful and semi-flirtatious manner also shows a shift in Robert and reveals a possible reason for his abrupt departure to Mexico. Robert is bound by strict Creole traditions and knows that he cannot have Edna. He is short in his responses to her as he knows that she is now falling for his flirtations and it is his duty, him being bound by a code of honor, to end things and not tempt Edna.
C) The reason that this particular passage stuck out to me as so important in the context of the story was Robert's response to Edna's confusion/anger at his abrupt departure. While reading the text I could feel Robert's desire to express his true feeling for Edna, that he loves her dearly, but that he cannot ever tell her that. In just these few lines there is an immense battle within Roberts mind, one between his love for Edna and his honor towards Creole society and tradition. I think that Chopin shows this through the dialogue that ensues Edna's accusations and anger towards Roberts leaving. The first few words, "So was I," and "Perhaps that's the-," trail off leaving the reader questioning and also knowing at the same time what Robert was going to say. This meeting between Edna and Robert leaves a love affair unfinished between the two, and leaves an opening for it to be rekindled as Enda progresses through her awakening.
Chapters XX-XXV
Chapter 23 pg 95
A) "Outside, away from the glow of the fire and the soft lamplight, the night was chill and murky. The Doctor doubled his old-fashioned cloak across his breast as he strode home through the darkness. He knew his fellow-creatures better than most men; Knew that inner life which so seldom unfolds itself to unanointed eyes. He was sorry he had accepted Pontellier's invitation. He was growing old, and beginning to need rest and an imperturbed spirit. He did not want the secrets of other lives thrust upon him.
"I hope it isn't Arobin," he muttered to himself as he walked. "I hope to heaven it isn't Alcee Arobin."'
B) As the story of Edna's awakening progresses her encounters with various different characters adds more depth to her as the protagonist and the culture she is trying to fight and go against. Dr. Mandelet fits into Edna's story as an outside observer. He is a close friend of the Pontellier family and has the experience of a wise old doctor that cares for the upper class of Creole society. He knows what is happening to Edna, and that she is not of Creole birth so she does not abide by the customs that are expected of her. This passage further provides the reader with the information that Mandelet knows what has changed with Edna, he senses that she has awakened from her slumber. The fact that he references Aclee Arobin, who Edna has already met, in such a disheartened and fearful tone foreshadows that Edna will most likely have an affair with him, or already has.
C) What stood out to me in this passage was the drastic shift in setting from the nice warm and welcoming house where everyone was cheery, to the "chill and murky" outdoors. I believe that this shift in setting reveals a deep underlying theme within Edna's story. That everything around her seems to be cheery and full of life and happiness, as well as extravagant. But underneath it all what is changing within Edna can only bring sadness and confusion to her life and to those around her. Dr. Mandelet sees this; it is revealed to us that he sees a lot more than the average person does as he is privileged with being a close confidant of many well known families and knows their traditions. It appears to me that he is the silent observer in this story, watching how poor Edna attempts to break free, but knows she will not be able to.
A) "Outside, away from the glow of the fire and the soft lamplight, the night was chill and murky. The Doctor doubled his old-fashioned cloak across his breast as he strode home through the darkness. He knew his fellow-creatures better than most men; Knew that inner life which so seldom unfolds itself to unanointed eyes. He was sorry he had accepted Pontellier's invitation. He was growing old, and beginning to need rest and an imperturbed spirit. He did not want the secrets of other lives thrust upon him.
"I hope it isn't Arobin," he muttered to himself as he walked. "I hope to heaven it isn't Alcee Arobin."'
B) As the story of Edna's awakening progresses her encounters with various different characters adds more depth to her as the protagonist and the culture she is trying to fight and go against. Dr. Mandelet fits into Edna's story as an outside observer. He is a close friend of the Pontellier family and has the experience of a wise old doctor that cares for the upper class of Creole society. He knows what is happening to Edna, and that she is not of Creole birth so she does not abide by the customs that are expected of her. This passage further provides the reader with the information that Mandelet knows what has changed with Edna, he senses that she has awakened from her slumber. The fact that he references Aclee Arobin, who Edna has already met, in such a disheartened and fearful tone foreshadows that Edna will most likely have an affair with him, or already has.
C) What stood out to me in this passage was the drastic shift in setting from the nice warm and welcoming house where everyone was cheery, to the "chill and murky" outdoors. I believe that this shift in setting reveals a deep underlying theme within Edna's story. That everything around her seems to be cheery and full of life and happiness, as well as extravagant. But underneath it all what is changing within Edna can only bring sadness and confusion to her life and to those around her. Dr. Mandelet sees this; it is revealed to us that he sees a lot more than the average person does as he is privileged with being a close confidant of many well known families and knows their traditions. It appears to me that he is the silent observer in this story, watching how poor Edna attempts to break free, but knows she will not be able to.
Chapters XXVI-XXXII
Chapter 26 page 105
A) "Alcee Arobin wrote Edna an elaborate note of apology, palpitant with sincerity. It embarrassed her; for in a cooler, quieter moment it appeared to her absurd that she should have taken his action so seriously, so dramatically. She felt sure that the significance of the whole occurrence had lain in her own self-consciousness. If she ignored his note it would give undue importance to a trivial affair. If she replied to it in a serious spirit it would still leave in his mind the impression that she had in a susceptible moment yielded to his influence. After all, it was no great matter to have one's hand kissed. She was provoked at his having written the apology. She answered in has light and bantering a spirit as she fancied it deserved, and said she would be glad to have him look in upon her at work whenever he felt the inclination and his business gave him the opportunity.
B) The opening of chapter 26 is a precarious situation for Edna in her path towards becoming fully awakened. The passage reveals Edna's shaky hold on commanding and controlling her new found sexual desires and passionate emotions. Throughout her life she has had little to no practice embracing and experiencing her individual self and individual sexuality, making her easy prey for the likes of the playboy Arobin. Edna's character is at this point, on the verge of breaking Creole societies strict rules and customs in favor of giving herself over to her sexual desires and passions. Although she has still yet to truly break free of Creole society, as shown in the outburst and confusion she experienced after Arobin's "innocent" kiss of her hand. Had she been truly stable and accepting that his actions were nothing more than flattery without further intentions she would be fine. But she knows, and Arobin definitely knows, that these actions insinuate much more. The passage reinforces to the reader that Edna faces many challenges in her awakening, and builds upon Arobin's character. His masterful apology letter forces Edna into a corner where she must face the fact that his actions mean more than common flattery, and that she was so embarrassed and flustered because she wants to give into her desires. He provides Edna an important catalyst in her awakening, a truly passionate and sexual experience.
C) What caught my attention in this passage was Arobin's response to Edna's outburst after he had kissed her hand the night before. It is known to the reader that Arobin has a reputation of being a playboy, and how Chopin had him respond to Edna's reaction proves that he is a masterful playboy. He knows that he can play her inexperience with her sexuality against her to get what he wants and his letter is just affirmation that he pushed a button of hers that had never been pushed before. As described within the passage Edna is in a predicament when she receives Arobin's letter of apology. She is forced to admit to herself that his actions the previous night stirred something inside of her, for if they had not then she would not have dismissed Arobin so abruptly and been so flustered. The fact that Arobin can so easily manipulate Edna's emotions builds upon his reputation of being quite the playboy, and reinforces Dr. Mandelet's fear and hope that the new man in Edna's life wasn't Arobin. Edna is at a significant turning point in her life, and Arobin is most definitely too much for her at such a delicate and fragile stage where the slightest misstep will cause her to fall and drown.
A) "Alcee Arobin wrote Edna an elaborate note of apology, palpitant with sincerity. It embarrassed her; for in a cooler, quieter moment it appeared to her absurd that she should have taken his action so seriously, so dramatically. She felt sure that the significance of the whole occurrence had lain in her own self-consciousness. If she ignored his note it would give undue importance to a trivial affair. If she replied to it in a serious spirit it would still leave in his mind the impression that she had in a susceptible moment yielded to his influence. After all, it was no great matter to have one's hand kissed. She was provoked at his having written the apology. She answered in has light and bantering a spirit as she fancied it deserved, and said she would be glad to have him look in upon her at work whenever he felt the inclination and his business gave him the opportunity.
B) The opening of chapter 26 is a precarious situation for Edna in her path towards becoming fully awakened. The passage reveals Edna's shaky hold on commanding and controlling her new found sexual desires and passionate emotions. Throughout her life she has had little to no practice embracing and experiencing her individual self and individual sexuality, making her easy prey for the likes of the playboy Arobin. Edna's character is at this point, on the verge of breaking Creole societies strict rules and customs in favor of giving herself over to her sexual desires and passions. Although she has still yet to truly break free of Creole society, as shown in the outburst and confusion she experienced after Arobin's "innocent" kiss of her hand. Had she been truly stable and accepting that his actions were nothing more than flattery without further intentions she would be fine. But she knows, and Arobin definitely knows, that these actions insinuate much more. The passage reinforces to the reader that Edna faces many challenges in her awakening, and builds upon Arobin's character. His masterful apology letter forces Edna into a corner where she must face the fact that his actions mean more than common flattery, and that she was so embarrassed and flustered because she wants to give into her desires. He provides Edna an important catalyst in her awakening, a truly passionate and sexual experience.
C) What caught my attention in this passage was Arobin's response to Edna's outburst after he had kissed her hand the night before. It is known to the reader that Arobin has a reputation of being a playboy, and how Chopin had him respond to Edna's reaction proves that he is a masterful playboy. He knows that he can play her inexperience with her sexuality against her to get what he wants and his letter is just affirmation that he pushed a button of hers that had never been pushed before. As described within the passage Edna is in a predicament when she receives Arobin's letter of apology. She is forced to admit to herself that his actions the previous night stirred something inside of her, for if they had not then she would not have dismissed Arobin so abruptly and been so flustered. The fact that Arobin can so easily manipulate Edna's emotions builds upon his reputation of being quite the playboy, and reinforces Dr. Mandelet's fear and hope that the new man in Edna's life wasn't Arobin. Edna is at a significant turning point in her life, and Arobin is most definitely too much for her at such a delicate and fragile stage where the slightest misstep will cause her to fall and drown.
Chapters XXXIII-XXXIX
Chapter 36 pg 145
A) "She leaned over and kissed him - a soft, cool, delicate kiss, whose voluptuous sting penetrated his whole being - then she moved away from him. He followed, and took her in his arms, just holding her close to him. She put her hand up to his face and pressed his cheek against her own. The action was full of love and tenderness. He sought her lips again. Then he drew her down upon the sofa beside him and held her hand in both of his."
B) This passage and the surrounding chapter are some of the most critical moments in the entire novel. Edna's love and affection for Robert has reached such a high level that she realizes she does not want to love anyone else but him, and she needs him to love her to be happy. The fact that Robert returns Edna's kiss also shows that Robert does actually love her, but at the same time he did not initiate the kiss. It was Edna, whom has already broken Creole tradition and had an affair with Arobin, that initiates the kiss. This is a fundamental progression of the story, as it reveals that although Robert and Edna have now professed their love for each other, Edna is the only one willing to commit and perform actions that would break the tradition and social customs of Creole society. The moment is a victory for Edna and her awakened state. She has finally found something that she truly desires and needs to be happy; but muddled in this happiness and warmth, as is a common theme throughout the entire novel, is a cold and sad hint that Edna faces an almost insurmountable task at breaking from, and surviving out of the Creole society. Especially since this scene shows that Robert will still not act on his affection without first being provoked by Edna.
C) "A soft, cool, delicate kiss, whose voluptuous sting penetrate his whole being." Chopin doesn't describe the kiss that Edna gives Robert as full of passion with the words cool and sting. It is interesting that she would choose to use these words to describe the first kiss that these two would-be lovers share. The passion and desire that Robert and Edna both share for each other finally breaks free in this moment, but the kiss stings Robert instead of caresses him as would be expected; and the kiss is cool, not a red hot kiss of two lovers who have been unable to be together for so long. Chopin's use of these words seized my attention and made take a hard look at this supposedly momentous scene where Edna has achieved her desire. In doing so Chopin subtly reveals that the kiss Edna and Robert share is one of fulfilled passion, but also one that stings Robert to his core; it breaks his code of honor, which he hold so dear as a Creole man. Although the kiss fulfills Edna's desires, hopes and dreams about Robert; it only deepens his affirmation that he cannot be with her since she is a married woman.
A) "She leaned over and kissed him - a soft, cool, delicate kiss, whose voluptuous sting penetrated his whole being - then she moved away from him. He followed, and took her in his arms, just holding her close to him. She put her hand up to his face and pressed his cheek against her own. The action was full of love and tenderness. He sought her lips again. Then he drew her down upon the sofa beside him and held her hand in both of his."
B) This passage and the surrounding chapter are some of the most critical moments in the entire novel. Edna's love and affection for Robert has reached such a high level that she realizes she does not want to love anyone else but him, and she needs him to love her to be happy. The fact that Robert returns Edna's kiss also shows that Robert does actually love her, but at the same time he did not initiate the kiss. It was Edna, whom has already broken Creole tradition and had an affair with Arobin, that initiates the kiss. This is a fundamental progression of the story, as it reveals that although Robert and Edna have now professed their love for each other, Edna is the only one willing to commit and perform actions that would break the tradition and social customs of Creole society. The moment is a victory for Edna and her awakened state. She has finally found something that she truly desires and needs to be happy; but muddled in this happiness and warmth, as is a common theme throughout the entire novel, is a cold and sad hint that Edna faces an almost insurmountable task at breaking from, and surviving out of the Creole society. Especially since this scene shows that Robert will still not act on his affection without first being provoked by Edna.
C) "A soft, cool, delicate kiss, whose voluptuous sting penetrate his whole being." Chopin doesn't describe the kiss that Edna gives Robert as full of passion with the words cool and sting. It is interesting that she would choose to use these words to describe the first kiss that these two would-be lovers share. The passion and desire that Robert and Edna both share for each other finally breaks free in this moment, but the kiss stings Robert instead of caresses him as would be expected; and the kiss is cool, not a red hot kiss of two lovers who have been unable to be together for so long. Chopin's use of these words seized my attention and made take a hard look at this supposedly momentous scene where Edna has achieved her desire. In doing so Chopin subtly reveals that the kiss Edna and Robert share is one of fulfilled passion, but also one that stings Robert to his core; it breaks his code of honor, which he hold so dear as a Creole man. Although the kiss fulfills Edna's desires, hopes and dreams about Robert; it only deepens his affirmation that he cannot be with her since she is a married woman.