The Awakening: Chopin, Kate
A guest author essay on The Awakening by Kate Chopin
One of the major themes in Kate Chopin's The Awakening is the the main character's internal strugle . Edna Pontellier, the protagonist, is torn between " . . . the two contradictory impulses that impelled her" : her social and familial responsibilities, and her emerging desires. As the novel progresses, she becomes increasingly distraught due to her negligence towards her obligations. Chopin is careful to make Edna's citations, emotions, and responses ambiguous. This strategy creates a more powerful and dynamic story, and is applied to nearly all of the characters in The Awakening. At times Edna feels drawn towards becoming a mother-woman. Yet at other times she is intoxicated by her new found sensuality.
Edna's feelings of entrapment are established early on: " . . . all declared that Mr. Pontellier was the best husband in the world. Mrs. Pontellier was forced to admit that she knew of none better." Through Chopin's diction her discontent with Leonce and her lack of comfort in societal settings is revealed. Edna's frustration with her marriage drives her to direct her sexual desires towards Robert Lebrun and Alcee Arobin. As her awakening continues, she begins " . . . to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an individual to the world within and about her." Through the progression of the novel, Edna emanates into a " . .. dual life-that outward existence which conforms, the inward questions."
Chopin incorporates a water motif as a metaphor for Mrs. Pontellier's rebirth and sexual awakening: "The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude: to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation. The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace." Ironically, even as Edna is drawn to the sea, she does not know how to swim. She desires to venture into the unknown and experience life. She is " . . . like a tottering, stumbling, clutching child, who of a sudden realizes its powers, and walks for the first time alone, boldly and with overconfidence. She could have shouted for joy, as with a sweeping stroke or two she lifted her body to the surface of the water." As she swims, she becomes free from all burdens, and she is like a child again. However, she is still unable to retain the glimpse of freedom: "As she swam she seemed to be reaching out for the unlimited in which to lose herself . . . A quick vision of death smote her soul, and a second of time appalled and enfeebled her senses."
A main catalyst to Mrs. Pontellier's arousal is the young son of Madame Lebrun, Robert. He spends his time doting on married women, as a source of entertainment; however, he becomes enamored with Edna. At first Edna thinks of him only as a comfortable companion with whom to laze about with, but she eventually finds herself tangled in a deep infatuation.
Edna becomes increasingly independent during Leonce's absence until finally she moves into the "pigeon house." Although she has taken every physical step to liberate herself from her emotional prison, she is still unable to escape her sensations. She has lost Robert, and she can no longer fight the turmoil raging within her. The Awakening concludes with Edna returning to her beloved sea. "She walked out. The water was chill, but she walked on. The water was deep, but she lifted her white body and reached out with a long, sweeping stroke. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace. . . She went on and on . . .." As she swims she reflects on what she is leaving behind. "She thought of Leonce and the children. They were a part of her life. But they need not have thought they could possess her, body and soul." Exhaustion washes over her body and her strength is gone. "Good-by-because, I love-you." Edna's last thoughts are of her childhood-happy and free. Mrs. Pontellier could no longer be stretched between two impulses. In death she finds her freedom.
Tags: Kate Chopin The Awakening
About the Author:
Jennie R Poston is a young, up and coming artist living in South Carolina. She specializes in metal sculpture. To see her work and read more of her writing, please visit her website.
book cover
|
More in Reading & Literature
Latest Articles