Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The Awakening - Schwall
Edna's character seems to portray one that does not want to be a traditional stay at home mother. It is clear that she wants to break away and become a "new woman". It is stated that Edna is not a mother-woman is then described as, "They were women who idolized their children, worshiped their husbands and esteemed it a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels" (Chopin 9). Edna does not fit this role. On the other hand, Adele seems to fit this role perfectly in the sense that she was charming, perfect, and embodied all the characteristics of a mother-woman. Edna seems to be expected to be a mother-woman but Chopin makes it easy to see that that is not what Edna truly wants from her life. The way that the woman are described, and the individual differences between them makes it easy for the reader to visualize the roles of woman during that era, whether they expect the roles or not. Some woman idolize and yearn to be the mother-woman while others, like Edna, want to change and become a "new woman" with independence and a voice.
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I also noticed the contrasting characteristics between Edna and Adele throughout the first few chapters of the book. The quote you chose about the “mother-woman” does not fit any descriptions of Edna that we have heard so far. One quote states that, “Mrs. Pontellier was not a mother-woman,” (9). Another similar quote states that, “Mrs. Pontillier’s mind was quite at rest concerning the present material needs of her children,” (10). One last quote that fits this idea states that, “She was fond of her children in an uneven, impulsive way. She would sometimes gather them passionately to her heart; she would sometimes forget them, (19). These quotes all seem to put Edna apart from the other women. She clearly has a different mindset when it comes to motherhood. Edna seems to be a perfect example of a “new woman” and I am looking forward to see her transformation throughout the book.
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