Kates Chopin The Awakening

Description

Chopin’s novel addresses women’s issues at the turn of the century.  Although we are to sympathize with Edna, we may want to judge her harshly. Her marriage is better than some.  Her financial means are secure.  And she discovers her desire for independence long after she has made commitments to her husband and children.  Consequently we find her actions troubling, especially her suicide. In a paper of about five pages, analyze the conflict, climax, and ending of the novel to judge Edna and to explain Chopin’s point about the possibilities of women’s independence at the turn of the century. Use Margit Stange’s article to inform your analysis. Take a close look at Dr. Mandelet’s conversation with Edna after she attends Adele in childbirth.  He seems to explain Edna’s situation and the major insight of the book.  Consider Stange’s interpretation of Edna as property.  Examine her relationship with Leonce and his attitude toward her.  How might we consider Edna’s suicide in light of Stange’s point about a woman’s own proprietary rights? Analyze the means of Edna’s “awakening.”  How does her developing sensuality reveal both her previous innocence and her desire to “own” herself?  To what extent is she committed to Robert?  Does his leaving her contribute to her suicide?  Also consider Arobin.  How are we to interpret Edna’s relationship with him? Consider other women in the novel to show how in contrast to Edna they reveal her conflict.  What should we think of Adele’s happy marriage and her advice to “think of the children” (182)?  Consider Mlle. Reisz as the model of the independent artist.  What price does she pay for her independence? Be sure to follow the Structural Guidelines when you revise your paper for submission. This paper is due Nov. 17.