The AwakeningThe Awakeningby Kate Chopinby Kate Chopinand Women’s and Women’s

HistoryHistory

•Women’s Women’s HistoryHistory

• During the time of During the time of the Revolutionary the Revolutionary War “It was almost War “It was almost universally universally believed that a believed that a woman’s brain was woman’s brain was smaller in capacity smaller in capacity and therefore and therefore inferior in quality inferior in quality to that of a man.”to that of a man.”

Early Advocates for WomenEarly Advocates for Women

• Abigail Adams “ Abigail Adams “ Remember the Remember the ladies!”ladies!”

• Anne Hutchinson –Anne Hutchinson –challenged the challenged the authority of male authority of male religious leaders in religious leaders in Puritan Puritan Massachusetts.Massachusetts.

Republican Republican MotherhoodMotherhood

• The concept related to The concept related to women's roles as mothers women's roles as mothers in the emerging United in the emerging United States before and after States before and after the American Revolution the American Revolution (c. 1760 to 1800). (c. 1760 to 1800).

• It centered around the It centered around the belief that children should belief that children should be raised to uphold the be raised to uphold the ideals of republicanism, ideals of republicanism, making them the perfect making them the perfect citizens of the new nation.citizens of the new nation.

Early 19th century WomenEarly 19th century Women

1. Unable to vote.2. Legal status of a minor.3. Single could own her own

property.4. Married no control over

herproperty or her children.

5. Could not initiate divorce.6. Couldn’t make wills, sign a

contract, or bring suit in court without her husband’s permission.

“Separate Spheres” Concept “Separate Spheres” Concept“The Cult of Domesticity”• A woman’s “sphere” was in the home

(it was arefuge from the cruel world outside).

• Her role was to “civilize” & educate her husband andfamily.

• An 1830s MA minister:The power of woman is her dependence. A woman who gives up that dependence on man to become a reformer yields the power God has given her for her protection, and her character becomes unnatural!

Cult of Domesticity = SlaveryCult of Domesticity = Slavery

The 2nd Great Awakening inspired women to improve society.

Angelina Grimké Sarah Grimké

Southern abolitionists

Lucy Stone

• American Women’sSuffrage Assoc.

• edited Woman’s Journal

Cult of DomesticityCult of Domesticity

• Between 1820 and the Civil War, the growth of Between 1820 and the Civil War, the growth of new industries, businesses, and professions new industries, businesses, and professions helped to create in America a new middle class. helped to create in America a new middle class.

• (The Middle class consisted of families whose (The Middle class consisted of families whose husbands worked as lawyers, office workers, husbands worked as lawyers, office workers, factory managers, merchants, teachers, factory managers, merchants, teachers, physicians and others.) physicians and others.)

Cult of DomesticityCult of Domesticity• Although the new middle-class family had its roots in preindustrial society, it differed Although the new middle-class family had its roots in preindustrial society, it differed

from the preindustrial family in three major ways: from the preindustrial family in three major ways: – I) I) A nineteenth-century middle-class family did not have to make what it needed A nineteenth-century middle-class family did not have to make what it needed

in order to survive. Men could work in jobs that produced goods or services while in order to survive. Men could work in jobs that produced goods or services while their wives and children stayed at home. their wives and children stayed at home.

– 2) 2) When husbands went off to work, they helped create the view that men alone When husbands went off to work, they helped create the view that men alone should support the family. This belief held that the world of work, the public should support the family. This belief held that the world of work, the public sphere, was a rough world, where a man did what he had to in order to succeed, sphere, was a rough world, where a man did what he had to in order to succeed, that it was full of temptations, violence, and trouble.that it was full of temptations, violence, and trouble.

• A woman who ventured out into such a world could easily fall prey to it, for women A woman who ventured out into such a world could easily fall prey to it, for women were weak and delicate creatures. A woman's place was therefore in the private sphere, were weak and delicate creatures. A woman's place was therefore in the private sphere, in the home. in the home.

– 3)3) The middle-class family came to look at itself, and at the nuclear family in The middle-class family came to look at itself, and at the nuclear family in general, as the backbone of society. Kin and community remained important, but general, as the backbone of society. Kin and community remained important, but not nearly so much as they had once beennot nearly so much as they had once been..

Cult of DomesticityCult of Domesticity• A new ideal of womanhood and a new A new ideal of womanhood and a new

ideology about the home arose out of the ideology about the home arose out of the new attitudes about work and family. new attitudes about work and family. – Called the "Called the "cult of domesticitycult of domesticity," it is ," it is

found in women's magazines, advice found in women's magazines, advice books, religious journals, newspapers, books, religious journals, newspapers, fiction--everywhere in popular culture. fiction--everywhere in popular culture.

– This new ideal provided a new view of This new ideal provided a new view of women's duty and role while cataloging women's duty and role while cataloging the cardinal virtues of true womanhood the cardinal virtues of true womanhood for a new age.for a new age.

Charles Dana Gibson, No Time for Politics, 1910

Cult of DomesticityCult of Domesticity

• This ideal of womanhood had essentially four This ideal of womanhood had essentially four parts--four characteristics any good and parts--four characteristics any good and proper young woman should cultivate:proper young woman should cultivate:– PietyPiety– PurityPurity– DomesticityDomesticity– SubmissivenessSubmissiveness

Cult of DomesticityCult of Domesticity

– PietyPiety: Nineteenth-century Americans believed that : Nineteenth-century Americans believed that women had a particular propensity for religion. The women had a particular propensity for religion. The modern young woman of the 1820s and 1830s was modern young woman of the 1820s and 1830s was thought of as a new Eve working with God to bring the thought of as a new Eve working with God to bring the world out of sin through her suffering, through her pure, world out of sin through her suffering, through her pure, and passionless love.and passionless love.

– PurityPurity: Female purity was also highly revered. Without : Female purity was also highly revered. Without sexual purity, a woman was no woman, but rather a lower sexual purity, a woman was no woman, but rather a lower form of being, a "fallen woman," unworthy of the love of form of being, a "fallen woman," unworthy of the love of her sex and unfit for their company.her sex and unfit for their company.

Cult of DomesticityCult of Domesticity

– DomesticityDomesticity: : Woman's place was in the home. Woman's place was in the home. Woman's role was to be busy at those morally uplifting Woman's role was to be busy at those morally uplifting tasks aimed at maintaining and fulfilling her piety and tasks aimed at maintaining and fulfilling her piety and purity.purity.

– SubmissivenessSubmissiveness: : This was perhaps the most This was perhaps the most feminine of virtues. feminine of virtues. • Men were supposed to be religious, although not generally. Men were supposed to be religious, although not generally.

Men were supposed to be pure, although one could really not Men were supposed to be pure, although one could really not expect it. But men never supposed to be submissive. Men expect it. But men never supposed to be submissive. Men were to be movers, and doers--the actors in life. were to be movers, and doers--the actors in life.

• Women were to be passive bystanders, submitting to Women were to be passive bystanders, submitting to fate, to duty, to God, and to men.fate, to duty, to God, and to men.

Look at the following photo. On the organizer provided you, write Look at the following photo. On the organizer provided you, write down what you see? What inferences can you make based on your down what you see? What inferences can you make based on your evidence? evidence? (Remember : Background knowledge + text clues = Inference) (Remember : Background knowledge + text clues = Inference)

The AwakeningThe Awakening

ByBy

Kate ChopinKate Chopin

Setting and Social BackgroundSetting and Social Background• Grand Isle and New Grand Isle and New

Orleans, LA – circa 1899 are Orleans, LA – circa 1899 are the two settingsthe two settings

• N.O. – Catholic, French, with N.O. – Catholic, French, with a great deal of interracial a great deal of interracial mixing – is a relatively mixing – is a relatively easy-going society. easy-going society.

• Husbands are NOT overly Husbands are NOT overly jealous of the attentions jealous of the attentions that their wives receive that their wives receive from other men. Women from other men. Women do not place too much do not place too much credence on these credence on these attentions.attentions.

• The problem comes from The problem comes from Edna who is not from there Edna who is not from there – she does take Robert’s – she does take Robert’s flirtations seriously.flirtations seriously.

Cont.Cont. • Edna is a Southern Edna is a Southern

Presbyterian who contrasts Presbyterian who contrasts with her husband who is a with her husband who is a Creole. Creole.

• Creoles are the descendants Creoles are the descendants of early French or Spanish of early French or Spanish settlers. Another definition settlers. Another definition is a mixture of African and is a mixture of African and French or African and French or African and Spanish. A third definition Spanish. A third definition is “Gens de Couleur” or is “Gens de Couleur” or “Free People of Color”“Free People of Color”

Cont.Cont.• NO was established in 1718 as a French-NO was established in 1718 as a French-

Canadian outpost. Canadian outpost. • Located by the mouth of the Mississippi, it Located by the mouth of the Mississippi, it

developed rapidly.developed rapidly.• Its unique social structure began to evolve Its unique social structure began to evolve

with the mass importation of African slaves with the mass importation of African slaves in the 1720s. in the 1720s.

• By the end of the 18By the end of the 18thth century it was the century it was the haven of smugglers, gamblers, prostitutes, haven of smugglers, gamblers, prostitutes, and pirates!and pirates!

• Became refuge of whites and free blacks – Became refuge of whites and free blacks – and their slaves – escaping slave revolts in and their slaves – escaping slave revolts in St. Dominque. St. Dominque.

Cont. Cont. • The Spanish, French, and The Spanish, French, and

people of color worked people of color worked together, lived next door to together, lived next door to one another, and intermarried, one another, and intermarried, creating a distinctive Creole creating a distinctive Creole culture.culture.

• NO was already a diverse city NO was already a diverse city when it was part of the when it was part of the Louisiana Purchase – American Louisiana Purchase – American immigrants weren’t immigrants weren’t particularly welcome there.particularly welcome there.

• Then, in the Battle of NO, the Then, in the Battle of NO, the final battle of the War of 1812, final battle of the War of 1812, Anglos and Creoles fought side Anglos and Creoles fought side by side. They were even by side. They were even backed by pirates like Jean backed by pirates like Jean Lafitte!Lafitte!

Cont. Cont. • Before the Civil War, NO experienced an Before the Civil War, NO experienced an

economic Golden Age as a port and economic Golden Age as a port and finance center for the cotton industry.finance center for the cotton industry.

• This came to an end with the Union This came to an end with the Union occupation and the Union blockade.occupation and the Union blockade.

• The Old “French Quarter”- where Edna The Old “French Quarter”- where Edna and the others live – is the site of the and the others live – is the site of the original settlement. The Quarter is laid original settlement. The Quarter is laid out on a grid that hasn’t changed since out on a grid that hasn’t changed since 1721.1721.

• The architecture is predominantly The architecture is predominantly Spanish, with a strong Caribbean Spanish, with a strong Caribbean influence. influence.

Symbolism in the TextSymbolism in the TextART – ART –

- a symbol of both freedom and failure- a symbol of both freedom and failure- a major part of Edna’s awakening is her - a major part of Edna’s awakening is her decision to take up painting againdecision to take up painting again- through her sale of paintings, she is able - through her sale of paintings, she is able to leave Leonce’s house and move to the to leave Leonce’s house and move to the Pigeon House Pigeon House - there is the suggestion that her art is - there is the suggestion that her art is flawed (her drawing of Mad. Ratignolle is flawed (her drawing of Mad. Ratignolle is not a good likeness)not a good likeness)- Mad. Reisz often cautions Edna about - Mad. Reisz often cautions Edna about what it takes to be an artist – the what it takes to be an artist – the “courageous soul” and the “strong wings”.“courageous soul” and the “strong wings”.

BirdsBirds- major symbol from the first - major symbol from the first page to the final imagepage to the final image- the mockingbird and parrot - the mockingbird and parrot symbolize various ineffective symbolize various ineffective attempts at communication.attempts at communication.- both birds are best known for - both birds are best known for their imitation of others, rather their imitation of others, rather than having their own voice – than having their own voice – they cannot tell their own they cannot tell their own storiesstories- the parrot screeches “Get out! - the parrot screeches “Get out! Get out!” which could Get out!” which could foreshadow Edna’s desire to foreshadow Edna’s desire to leave confines of her middle-leave confines of her middle-class life.class life.

- The fact that both - The fact that both birds are caged clearly birds are caged clearly shows entrapment. shows entrapment.

- the ability to spread - the ability to spread wings and fly occurs wings and fly occurs often in the novel – often in the novel – “strong wings”“strong wings”

- while listening to - while listening to Mad.Riesz, Edna Mad.Riesz, Edna daydreams about a daydreams about a naked man standing naked man standing on a beach watching a on a beach watching a bird fly away.bird fly away.

FoodFood• There are several symbolic meals in the novel There are several symbolic meals in the novel

includingincluding– The meal on Cheniere Caminada which occurs when The meal on Cheniere Caminada which occurs when

she wakes up from her fairy tale sleepshe wakes up from her fairy tale sleep– The dinner party at her “old house” when she is The dinner party at her “old house” when she is

ready to leave for the Pigeon House – viewed by ready to leave for the Pigeon House – viewed by some to recreate the Last Suppersome to recreate the Last Supper

SwimmingSwimmingAppears as a central issue 3 timesAppears as a central issue 3 times

- Edna tells Mad. Ratignolle of - Edna tells Mad. Ratignolle of her experience as a young girl her experience as a young girl swimming through the meadow swimming through the meadow – here the swimming is an – here the swimming is an escape from formalized religion escape from formalized religion (Edna’s father’s gloomy (Edna’s father’s gloomy prayers)prayers)- Edna finally learns how to - Edna finally learns how to swim – after trying all summer. swim – after trying all summer. Experiences exhilaration and Experiences exhilaration and freedom. Also experiences the freedom. Also experiences the fear of drowningfear of drowning

Cont.Cont. The final swimming episode is The final swimming episode is

ultimately ambiguous. Is edna ultimately ambiguous. Is edna embracing a new freedom from embracing a new freedom from restriction by stripping off her clothes restriction by stripping off her clothes and surrendering herself to the and surrendering herself to the seduction of the sea, or – is it a final seduction of the sea, or – is it a final desperate act because she can no desperate act because she can no longer live the life she seems longer live the life she seems destined to live???destined to live???

WaterWater• Water is a symbol of both freedom Water is a symbol of both freedom

and escape.and escape.• Edna remember the Kentucky fields of Edna remember the Kentucky fields of

her childhood as an ocean, and she her childhood as an ocean, and she daydreams of the day she “swam” the daydreams of the day she “swam” the meadow. Her learning to swim in the meadow. Her learning to swim in the Gulf is a show of self-assertion, and Gulf is a show of self-assertion, and she finally “escapes to the sea”. Even she finally “escapes to the sea”. Even in NO there are lots of references to in NO there are lots of references to water in the form of rain or the river.water in the form of rain or the river.

Piano PlayingPiano Playing• Even at the beginning of the novel we hear Even at the beginning of the novel we hear

the Farival twins playing the piano. Here, the Farival twins playing the piano. Here, the fact of playing the piano is an allusion the fact of playing the piano is an allusion to the opera. On the evening of Edna’ 1to the opera. On the evening of Edna’ 1stst swim, the twins play again, but their inept swim, the twins play again, but their inept poundings are replaced by Mad. Reisz.poundings are replaced by Mad. Reisz.

• Both Adele and Mad. Reisz play the piano. Both Adele and Mad. Reisz play the piano. Each woman functions to underscore a Each woman functions to underscore a different aspect of the novel. Adele is different aspect of the novel. Adele is good because she practices every day – good because she practices every day – but she does not love it. She wants to set but she does not love it. She wants to set a good example for her kids. Mad. Reisz is a good example for her kids. Mad. Reisz is an artist. She serves as a mentor to Edna.an artist. She serves as a mentor to Edna.

Sleep and AwakeningSleep and Awakening• The 1The 1stst night of the novel, Edna night of the novel, Edna

cannot sleep after her husband cannot sleep after her husband rebukes her for neglecting the rebukes her for neglecting the children. It is during this sleepless children. It is during this sleepless night that her “awakening” begins. night that her “awakening” begins. We are told, “An indescribable We are told, “An indescribable oppression, which seemed to oppression, which seemed to generate in some unfamiliar part of generate in some unfamiliar part of her consciousness, filled her whole her consciousness, filled her whole being with a vague anguish.”being with a vague anguish.”

Cont. Cont. Similarly, the night of Edna’s 1Similarly, the night of Edna’s 1stst successful successful

swim, she also cannot sleep. Yet, the next swim, she also cannot sleep. Yet, the next day, she experiences a deep, dream-filled day, she experiences a deep, dream-filled sleep during her nap at the home of sleep during her nap at the home of Madame Antoine.Madame Antoine.

Each major episode – disagreements with Each major episode – disagreements with Leonce, encounters with Alcee, Madame Leonce, encounters with Alcee, Madame Ratignolle’s childbed – are punctuated by Ratignolle’s childbed – are punctuated by specific mentions of Edna’s sleep, or lack specific mentions of Edna’s sleep, or lack of sleep. During this time, physical sleep of sleep. During this time, physical sleep also comes to represent a state of also comes to represent a state of awareness as in Edna’s conversation with awareness as in Edna’s conversation with Doctor Mandelet the night of the birth.Doctor Mandelet the night of the birth.

ThemesThemes• Repressed Feelings – almost everyone in the book , Repressed Feelings – almost everyone in the book ,

w/ the possible exceptions of Mad. Ratignolle and w/ the possible exceptions of Mad. Ratignolle and her hubby, repress their feelings, and this her hubby, repress their feelings, and this repression has a significant impact on how the repression has a significant impact on how the characters interact and how the plot develops.characters interact and how the plot develops.- We are told very early that Leonce truly loves - We are told very early that Leonce truly loves Edna. But does he tell her??? Robert flees to Edna. But does he tell her??? Robert flees to Mexico rather than express his love. On his return Mexico rather than express his love. On his return to NO, he delays seeing her for the same reason.to NO, he delays seeing her for the same reason.- Mademoiselle Reisz seems to possess an insight - Mademoiselle Reisz seems to possess an insight into matters of the heart and soul yet she never into matters of the heart and soul yet she never reveals what in her past gives her this wisdom.reveals what in her past gives her this wisdom.- It is ultimately Edna’s inability to repress her - It is ultimately Edna’s inability to repress her newly discovered feelings that drives her to suicide.newly discovered feelings that drives her to suicide.

Cont.Cont.• Personal Freedom Personal Freedom – all of the – all of the

characters are trapped by social characters are trapped by social expectations. The only characters expectations. The only characters who are not ( Victor, Mad. Reisz, and who are not ( Victor, Mad. Reisz, and Alcee) are criticized by others. As Alcee) are criticized by others. As Edna begins to gain a sense of Edna begins to gain a sense of personal freedom (evidenced by her personal freedom (evidenced by her learning to swim, painting, bagging learning to swim, painting, bagging her “at home” days, and moving out), her “at home” days, and moving out), she, too, falls subject to gossip and she, too, falls subject to gossip and criticism.criticism.

Cont.Cont.• Role of Women- Role of Women- The society of Chopin’s The society of Chopin’s

novel allows for essentially one novel allows for essentially one feminine role, and that is wife and feminine role, and that is wife and mother (“…women who idolized their mother (“…women who idolized their children, worshiped their husbands, children, worshiped their husbands, and esteemed it a holy privilege to and esteemed it a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals and efface themselves as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels.”) grow wings as ministering angels.”) The various female characters in the The various female characters in the novel represent the various responses novel represent the various responses to this single role.to this single role.

Cont.Cont.• Madame Ratignolle fills the role perfectly. Madame Ratignolle fills the role perfectly.

She is the “embodiment of every womanly She is the “embodiment of every womanly grace and charm.” Notice that she is grace and charm.” Notice that she is pregnant throughout the novel.pregnant throughout the novel.

• Mademoiselle Reisz represents the woman Mademoiselle Reisz represents the woman who has thumbed her nose at the role. who has thumbed her nose at the role. She is described as “a disagreeable little She is described as “a disagreeable little woman, no longer young… (with) …a woman, no longer young… (with) …a temper which was self- assertive and a temper which was self- assertive and a disposition to trample upon the rights of disposition to trample upon the rights of others. She lives in near poverty.others. She lives in near poverty.

• Edna, of course finds it difficult in her role Edna, of course finds it difficult in her role

Cont. Cont. Search for Self Search for Self – To some extent, this – To some extent, this

theme is a combination of the idea of theme is a combination of the idea of the repressed feelings and the the repressed feelings and the search for personal freedom. It is search for personal freedom. It is only by witnessing Edna’s struggle of only by witnessing Edna’s struggle of self-actualization that we can self-actualization that we can question whether any of the question whether any of the characters has a strong sense of self. characters has a strong sense of self. If there is such a character, it is If there is such a character, it is probably Mad. Riesz.probably Mad. Riesz.

Alienation and LonelinessAlienation and Loneliness• Mad. Riesz lives alone but does not Mad. Riesz lives alone but does not

seem to be lonely. Edna, on the seem to be lonely. Edna, on the other hand, feels lonely when her other hand, feels lonely when her husband and children and more but husband and children and more but she feels no less alone when she is she feels no less alone when she is with him. With Robert, however, she with him. With Robert, however, she is not lonely. It is the ultimate is not lonely. It is the ultimate aloneness caused by Robert’s final aloneness caused by Robert’s final leaving that immediately precipitates leaving that immediately precipitates Edna’s final act.Edna’s final act.

• Consequences of ChoicesConsequences of Choices

- Immediately before Robert and - Immediately before Robert and Edna’s reunion, Madame Ratignolle Edna’s reunion, Madame Ratignolle warns Edna, “You seem to me like a warns Edna, “You seem to me like a child, Edna. You seem to act without child, Edna. You seem to act without a certain amount of reflection that is a certain amount of reflection that is necessary in this life.” Does Edna necessary in this life.” Does Edna care about the repercussions of any care about the repercussions of any of her decisions? of her decisions?