To Thine Own Self Be True: The Awakening in Review Feraco Search for Human Potential 24 February...
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Transcript of To Thine Own Self Be True: The Awakening in Review Feraco Search for Human Potential 24 February...
To Thine Own Self Be To Thine Own Self Be True:True:
The AwakeningThe Awakening in in ReviewReview
FeracoFeraco
Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential
24 February 200924 February 2009
The Curtain Rises…The Curtain Rises… We spoke yesterday about the We spoke yesterday about the
Victorian/Creole social expectations that Victorian/Creole social expectations that influenced Chopin’s work, as well as the influenced Chopin’s work, as well as the shifting trends in American culture shifting trends in American culture around the turn of the centuryaround the turn of the century
Today, I’d like to take a moment to talk Today, I’d like to take a moment to talk about the literary movements that helped about the literary movements that helped shape Chopin’s writing – specifically, the shape Chopin’s writing – specifically, the interplay between Romanticism and interplay between Romanticism and Realism in Realism in The AwakeningThe Awakening
Que RomanticoQue Romantico Romantic authors focused on the individual Romantic authors focused on the individual
above all elseabove all else They valued freedom, independence, liberty, They valued freedom, independence, liberty,
etc.etc. The ability for human beings to exist as they The ability for human beings to exist as they
were always meant to – without fetterswere always meant to – without fetters They saw society as harmful because it They saw society as harmful because it
placed so many restrictions on how human placed so many restrictions on how human beings could actbeings could act Standards of legality were one thing, but the Standards of legality were one thing, but the
myriad standards of decency that so many myriad standards of decency that so many seemed willing to abide by were a different seemed willing to abide by were a different mattermatter
Nature vs. the CityNature vs. the City
As a result, Romantic authors loved the As a result, Romantic authors loved the natural world, the exotic, and the beautifulnatural world, the exotic, and the beautiful
They preferred nature to urban centers They preferred nature to urban centers because they viewed cities as artificial because they viewed cities as artificial constructions that limited (rather than constructions that limited (rather than expanded) man’s capacity for improvementexpanded) man’s capacity for improvement (Contrast this with what we learned about (Contrast this with what we learned about
cities and social progress at the turn of the cities and social progress at the turn of the century!) century!)
They wanted to return to a simpler, less They wanted to return to a simpler, less corrupt timecorrupt time Saw a movement away from Rationalism as the Saw a movement away from Rationalism as the
way to do it way to do it
Losing Yourself in Losing Yourself in Thought and FeelingsThought and Feelings
Specifically, Romantics took a different view of Specifically, Romantics took a different view of psychology and emotion than the Rationalistspsychology and emotion than the Rationalists
Writers like Hawthorne and Poe dealt with Writers like Hawthorne and Poe dealt with unrequited love and violent passions unrequited love and violent passions
Rational thought was less of a concern than Rational thought was less of a concern than understanding one’s emotional reactions and understanding one’s emotional reactions and the power of one’s own imagination and the power of one’s own imagination and creativitycreativity
Self-contemplation, then, was highly valued Self-contemplation, then, was highly valued (You can see lingering traces of these traditions in (You can see lingering traces of these traditions in
the writings of Transcendentalists like Thoreau and the writings of Transcendentalists like Thoreau and Emerson!) Emerson!)
Mistakes We Knew We Mistakes We Knew We Were MakingWere Making
Chopin’s character portrayals reflect Realist Chopin’s character portrayals reflect Realist traditions because her characters are traditions because her characters are fundamentally fundamentally realisticrealistic
I mentioned yesterday that I mentioned yesterday that The AwakeningThe Awakening doesn’t doesn’t have heroes, heroines, and villains so much as it have heroes, heroines, and villains so much as it has people who live – and who cause joy and pain has people who live – and who cause joy and pain for themselves and others just by living life and for themselves and others just by living life and making mistakesmaking mistakes
Chopin carefully constructs portraits of people you Chopin carefully constructs portraits of people you can actually meet – we know Adèles and Léonces, can actually meet – we know Adèles and Léonces, we know Ednas and Robertswe know Ednas and Roberts
Chopin neither judges nor exaggerates themChopin neither judges nor exaggerates them Instead, she presents them as real people in a real place Instead, she presents them as real people in a real place (As we’ve spoken about earlier, Chopin’s settings were (As we’ve spoken about earlier, Chopin’s settings were
based on her experiences – truth in fiction!)based on her experiences – truth in fiction!)
Learning via EmotionLearning via Emotion
Their emotions are dealt with in a dignified Their emotions are dealt with in a dignified wayway
Although some of you may take issue with Although some of you may take issue with Edna’s emotionalism, that particular Edna’s emotionalism, that particular character trait may make more sense now character trait may make more sense now that you understand Romanticism’s that you understand Romanticism’s influence on Chopininfluence on Chopin
In fact, we’re able to learn more about each In fact, we’re able to learn more about each character by exploring their “emotional character by exploring their “emotional landscapes” – not just Edna, but Robert, landscapes” – not just Edna, but Robert, Reisz, Adèle, and Léonce as wellReisz, Adèle, and Léonce as well ……and we still have other characters left to meet! and we still have other characters left to meet!
Onward!Onward! Now that we’ve taken a look at the Now that we’ve taken a look at the
social and literary influences on social and literary influences on Chopin’s work – as well as at her Chopin’s work – as well as at her personal history – we can take another personal history – we can take another look at the work itselflook at the work itself
It’s helpful to break up this novel’s It’s helpful to break up this novel’s first half even furtherfirst half even further
By cutting it into four different By cutting it into four different sections, we can take a closer look at sections, we can take a closer look at how the novel’s tone and character how the novel’s tone and character focus shiftsfocus shifts
In ReviewIn Review The first five-chapter section provides us with a The first five-chapter section provides us with a
look at Edna before she awakenslook at Edna before she awakens It’s not a flattering portrayalIt’s not a flattering portrayal
When Léonce first looks at her, he sees a When Léonce first looks at her, he sees a damaged piece of property – and now we know damaged piece of property – and now we know why why
She’s deeply unhappy without understanding She’s deeply unhappy without understanding why, and lives without pausing to trywhy, and lives without pausing to try
Ordinary moments for contemplation, such as Ordinary moments for contemplation, such as when she walks outside to cry during Chapter 3, when she walks outside to cry during Chapter 3, are completely glossed over or ignoredare completely glossed over or ignored
Instead of thinking about why she’s crying, she Instead of thinking about why she’s crying, she just exists passively, tears rolling out instead of just exists passively, tears rolling out instead of being shed, until the biting insects drive her to being shed, until the biting insects drive her to move like livestock. move like livestock.
Matrimony and Matrimony and ComplicationComplication Her marriage with Léonce is clearly problematic Her marriage with Léonce is clearly problematic
She’s not happy, and he doesn’t entirely respect herShe’s not happy, and he doesn’t entirely respect her He plays the part of the “good husband” – but in He plays the part of the “good husband” – but in
this culture, as he points out, the woman takes care this culture, as he points out, the woman takes care of the children, and he shouldn’t have to check on of the children, and he shouldn’t have to check on themthem So why does he?So why does he?
He can’t quite put his finger on why she’s not a He can’t quite put his finger on why she’s not a “mother-woman,” but it disturbs him all the same“mother-woman,” but it disturbs him all the same
What’s fascinating, however, is that Chopin never What’s fascinating, however, is that Chopin never definitivelydefinitively establishes whether Raoul was really establishes whether Raoul was really sick, or whether he was, in fact, simply having a bad sick, or whether he was, in fact, simply having a bad dream. We end the chapter not knowing whether dream. We end the chapter not knowing whether Léonce was correct!Léonce was correct! Who did you assume interpreted the situation correctly?Who did you assume interpreted the situation correctly?
The Fire Starts BurningThe Fire Starts Burning Still, Edna is slowly pushing towards self-awarenessStill, Edna is slowly pushing towards self-awareness We see her begin to think about why she’s reluctant to We see her begin to think about why she’s reluctant to
discuss “the book,” and we see specific reasons for why discuss “the book,” and we see specific reasons for why she’s a poor fit for Creole culture, which we’re introduced she’s a poor fit for Creole culture, which we’re introduced to hereto here
Little moments like her inability to sketch Adèle symbolize Little moments like her inability to sketch Adèle symbolize her inability to properly imitate their idealsher inability to properly imitate their ideals
She has friends – Adèle and Robert – but she doesn’t really She has friends – Adèle and Robert – but she doesn’t really belong therebelong there
Fortunately for her, the Lebruns’ cottages at Grand Isle are Fortunately for her, the Lebruns’ cottages at Grand Isle are there for vacationing, which means her experiences there there for vacationing, which means her experiences there are at least a little removed from her normal lifeare at least a little removed from her normal life
She’s soon able to explore aspects of herself and her She’s soon able to explore aspects of herself and her relationships that she wouldn’t have been able to relationships that she wouldn’t have been able to elsewhereelsewhere
We see birds, music, and the sea in this section; all will We see birds, music, and the sea in this section; all will play larger roles laterplay larger roles later
There’s a light burning inside her (an image Chopin’s There’s a light burning inside her (an image Chopin’s particularly fond of), but it’s little more than a dull emberparticularly fond of), but it’s little more than a dull ember
The flames pop up later The flames pop up later
Beginning to AwakenBeginning to Awaken The second five-chapter section is a chronicle of The second five-chapter section is a chronicle of
Edna’s awakening, of her slow shaking-off of the Edna’s awakening, of her slow shaking-off of the unconscious life and routine she’s followed without unconscious life and routine she’s followed without ever questioning whyever questioning why
It even opens with Edna stopping to wonder why she It even opens with Edna stopping to wonder why she initially rebuffs Robert’s invitation to go down to the initially rebuffs Robert’s invitation to go down to the seasea
Now we see the sea again, and we’re unsure about Now we see the sea again, and we’re unsure about what it representswhat it represents Freedom or society? Freedom or society? Passion for self or passion for others?Passion for self or passion for others?
In any case, Chopin’s last lines seem somewhat In any case, Chopin’s last lines seem somewhat forebodingforeboding
We know this is foreshadowing something, because We know this is foreshadowing something, because we’ve been trained to look for what seem to be we’ve been trained to look for what seem to be significant clues…but we don’t know what this means significant clues…but we don’t know what this means quite yetquite yet
We Pause to Consider…We Pause to Consider… Edna begins to contemplate herself in a new light (a Edna begins to contemplate herself in a new light (a
clear sign of her Romantic development)clear sign of her Romantic development) She refuses to stop thinking when Adèle essentially She refuses to stop thinking when Adèle essentially
advises her not to trouble herselfadvises her not to trouble herself She’s honest with herself when she stops to reminisce She’s honest with herself when she stops to reminisce
about her girlhood in Kentuckyabout her girlhood in Kentucky She realizes that her reasons for marrying Léonce – not She realizes that her reasons for marrying Léonce – not
just to get away from her father, but to get away from just to get away from her father, but to get away from the tragedian and all the hopeless dreaming he the tragedian and all the hopeless dreaming he represented – was foolishrepresented – was foolish
She essentially got married to keep herself from dreaming, and She essentially got married to keep herself from dreaming, and that’s a prescription for disasterthat’s a prescription for disaster
She realizes she’s been instinctively leading a dual lifeShe realizes she’s been instinctively leading a dual life A public face that everyone sees A public face that everyone sees A private one that no one – not even she – fully understandsA private one that no one – not even she – fully understands Notice, however, that’s she’s never fully committed to eitherNotice, however, that’s she’s never fully committed to either
Modes of ExpressionModes of Expression We see Edna listening to Reisz’s music We see Edna listening to Reisz’s music
and feeling overwhelmedand feeling overwhelmed We spoke yesterday about music as self-We spoke yesterday about music as self-
expression, and Reisz’s choice of song – expression, and Reisz’s choice of song – “Solitude” is significant“Solitude” is significant Does Edna dislike solitude, or wish for it?Does Edna dislike solitude, or wish for it?
We also see our favorite parrot againWe also see our favorite parrot again He screams at the Farival girls, and is quickly He screams at the Farival girls, and is quickly
silencedsilenced
The Woman and the SeaThe Woman and the Sea Chapter 10 finds Edna, in what seems to be a Chapter 10 finds Edna, in what seems to be a
moment of momentous significance, swimming moment of momentous significance, swimming by herself for the first timeby herself for the first time
She chastises herself for refusing to try out of She chastises herself for refusing to try out of fear for so long, and for “splashing around like a fear for so long, and for “splashing around like a baby”baby”
Again, we wonder what this symbolizesAgain, we wonder what this symbolizes Depending on what you think the sea represents, this Depending on what you think the sea represents, this
is either a moment of intense triumph or the is either a moment of intense triumph or the beginning of Edna’s downfall beginning of Edna’s downfall
Notice that Robert’s watching her from afar Notice that Robert’s watching her from afar We also get the story about the semi-celestials, We also get the story about the semi-celestials,
which is deeply important for those who seek to which is deeply important for those who seek to understand the story’s endingunderstand the story’s ending
We’ll refer back to these events once you’ve We’ll refer back to these events once you’ve finished Chapter 39 finished Chapter 39
Convince Yourself to Convince Yourself to Accept the 5Accept the 5 Let’s pause for a second and picture the Let’s pause for a second and picture the
following hypothetical scenario:following hypothetical scenario: Our lives are rated on a scale ranging from 1 to Our lives are rated on a scale ranging from 1 to
10 10 1 representing a completely hopeless, joyless 1 representing a completely hopeless, joyless
existenceexistence 10 representing near-deification10 representing near-deification Let’s say you’re a 5Let’s say you’re a 5
I give you a choice: You can continue living as I give you a choice: You can continue living as a 5 for the rest of your days, or you can take a a 5 for the rest of your days, or you can take a risk and flip a coinrisk and flip a coin Heads means you win, and you’ll live an 8-rated lifeHeads means you win, and you’ll live an 8-rated life Tails means you lose, and you’ll live a 2-rated lifeTails means you lose, and you’ll live a 2-rated life
Do you stay where you are, or do you flip the Do you stay where you are, or do you flip the coin?coin?
Rolling the DieRolling the Die Let’s pursue a different hypotheticalLet’s pursue a different hypothetical Depending on the choices we make and Depending on the choices we make and
the plans we form, we can build ourselves the plans we form, we can build ourselves “safety nets” that make risks less “safety nets” that make risks less dangerousdangerous
In this scenario, your plans have left you In this scenario, your plans have left you with more options – so instead of a coin with more options – so instead of a coin flip, you get to roll a four-sided dieflip, you get to roll a four-sided die The sides are marked 2, 4, 6, and 8The sides are marked 2, 4, 6, and 8
Do you roll the die, or do you remain a 5?Do you roll the die, or do you remain a 5? What if you’re married?What if you’re married? What if you’re a parent?What if you’re a parent?
Why Take the Chance?Why Take the Chance? Edna’s playing with fire here, because it’s Edna’s playing with fire here, because it’s
not as though she has a lot of optionsnot as though she has a lot of options She can’t divorce LéonceShe can’t divorce Léonce As it turns out, she can’t count on Robert As it turns out, she can’t count on Robert
because he’s moving to Mexicobecause he’s moving to Mexico Unless Léonce dies, she doesn’t seem to have Unless Léonce dies, she doesn’t seem to have
any way outany way out In other words, she doesn’t have the die – In other words, she doesn’t have the die –
she has the coin, if she has anything at all she has the coin, if she has anything at all Bur she seems to be itching to flip it anywayBur she seems to be itching to flip it anyway
We wonder, however, how we’d rate her We wonder, however, how we’d rate her lifelife How do we measure a worthwhile existence? How do we measure a worthwhile existence? Is Edna living one?Is Edna living one?
Another Look at RobertAnother Look at Robert In the meantime, we learn that there’s more to In the meantime, we learn that there’s more to
other characters than our first impressions of themother characters than our first impressions of them Robert in particularRobert in particular
He doesn’t appear to be a completely typical Creole He doesn’t appear to be a completely typical Creole malemale He just acts like one He just acts like one
Adèle recognizes this, which is why she warns him Adèle recognizes this, which is why she warns him to stay away from Ednato stay away from Edna However, she couches her warning in a rebuke that However, she couches her warning in a rebuke that
reminds him that he reminds him that he isis a Creole, and that Edna a Creole, and that Edna isn’tisn’t – – remember their attitude towards “outsiders”remember their attitude towards “outsiders”
On some level, his yearning for Edna is as desperate On some level, his yearning for Edna is as desperate and hopeless as her love for the tragedianand hopeless as her love for the tragedian
He’s beginning to pull away from Edna, realizing He’s beginning to pull away from Edna, realizing that he’ll need to go to Mexicothat he’ll need to go to Mexico
So Far AwaySo Far Away Robert and Edna seem so close to Robert and Edna seem so close to
understanding each other, but remain understanding each other, but remain frustratingly at odds somehowfrustratingly at odds somehow
She begins to become more aware of her She begins to become more aware of her feelings for him, and finally recognizes them feelings for him, and finally recognizes them for what they are at the end of the chapterfor what they are at the end of the chapter
It closes with Robert leaving her alone, It closes with Robert leaving her alone, walking in and out of strips of pale walking in and out of strips of pale moonlightmoonlight Perhaps symbolizing the moral ambiguity Perhaps symbolizing the moral ambiguity
inherent in their friendshipinherent in their friendship• A bond that threatens to become something more!A bond that threatens to become something more!• Scandal!Scandal!
The Rubber BandThe Rubber Band
If we end the second five-chapter section If we end the second five-chapter section hopeful that Edna will “wake up” and see hopeful that Edna will “wake up” and see the light, the third five-chapter section the light, the third five-chapter section proves particularly frustratingproves particularly frustrating
Edna is essentially treated like a rubber Edna is essentially treated like a rubber band, straining towards independence band, straining towards independence before being dragged back into her old before being dragged back into her old lifelife She’s a changed woman, but still seen – and She’s a changed woman, but still seen – and
treated – as Edna Pontelliertreated – as Edna Pontellier
It All Comes Around It All Comes Around AgainAgain We see her resist Léonce for the first timeWe see her resist Léonce for the first time
Her response to his demand that she return here Her response to his demand that she return here couldn’t contrast more strongly with her reaction to couldn’t contrast more strongly with her reaction to his demand in Chapter 3 that she check Raoulhis demand in Chapter 3 that she check Raoul
Edna becomes defiant in order to become an Edna becomes defiant in order to become an independent actorindependent actor
Unfortunately, she discovers that Robert – the Unfortunately, she discovers that Robert – the catalyst for her push towards independence – catalyst for her push towards independence – seems unreachable, for a number of reasonsseems unreachable, for a number of reasons
He flirts, but never commits – this seems to be his He flirts, but never commits – this seems to be his pattern of behavior regarding Mexico (although pattern of behavior regarding Mexico (although that changes quite quickly once he realizes how he that changes quite quickly once he realizes how he feels about Ednafeels about Edna
Not only does he refuse to flip the coin, but he’s Not only does he refuse to flip the coin, but he’s hiding from the live he could be leadinghiding from the live he could be leading
Did Edna do the same with the tragedian and Did Edna do the same with the tragedian and Léonce?Léonce?
The Buried Treasure of The Buried Treasure of the Heartthe Heart
Even before we know he’s leaving, we Even before we know he’s leaving, we see symbolic moments that encapsulate see symbolic moments that encapsulate their seemingly star-crossed relationshiptheir seemingly star-crossed relationship
For example, there’s a reference to For example, there’s a reference to buried treasure and pirate gold in buried treasure and pirate gold in Chapter 12Chapter 12 We realize it represents love and passion – We realize it represents love and passion –
the things that can make Edna happiestthe things that can make Edna happiest We also realize that she’s the one who’s We also realize that she’s the one who’s
“buried the treasure,” and she needs “buried the treasure,” and she needs Robert’s help to excavate it Robert’s help to excavate it
Star-CrossedStar-Crossed After Edna wakes up in Chapter 13, the two are finally After Edna wakes up in Chapter 13, the two are finally
alone together, and they joke that she’s slept for a alone together, and they joke that she’s slept for a hundred years hundred years
Everyone’s gone, and they’re free of societyEveryone’s gone, and they’re free of society The sad part is that it’s a fantasy of an independent life The sad part is that it’s a fantasy of an independent life
that she can’t havethat she can’t have She hasn’t really been asleep that long, and they talk to each She hasn’t really been asleep that long, and they talk to each
other knowing full well that they’ll need to head back to society other knowing full well that they’ll need to head back to society soon…soon…
……and that their happiness is only temporary.and that their happiness is only temporary. They sing “Ah! Si tu savais,” which translates as “Ah! If They sing “Ah! Si tu savais,” which translates as “Ah! If
only you knew…”only you knew…” Then she returns home to the life she’s led – and whispers “Ah! Then she returns home to the life she’s led – and whispers “Ah!
Si tu savais” againSi tu savais” again Robert’s sudden departure crushes her because she Robert’s sudden departure crushes her because she
had just begun to hope againhad just begun to hope again It seems like Edna is destined to lose whatever she cares about It seems like Edna is destined to lose whatever she cares about
enough to hold (or try to hold)enough to hold (or try to hold)
……and Everything Starts and Everything Starts FallingFalling The last five-chapter section is one of The last five-chapter section is one of
frustration and destruction, as Edna begins frustration and destruction, as Edna begins expressing the torrent of emotion that’s expressing the torrent of emotion that’s coursing through hercoursing through her
Edna feels everything slipping away from Edna feels everything slipping away from her, and begins seizing control of her own her, and begins seizing control of her own life – or trying tolife – or trying to One of the things we notice about Edna is that One of the things we notice about Edna is that
she tends to make things worseshe tends to make things worse She doesn’t think through things clearly, and She doesn’t think through things clearly, and
tends to act on impulsetends to act on impulse This tendency will have tragic consequences as This tendency will have tragic consequences as
we move into the book’s second halfwe move into the book’s second half
Edna as an IndividualEdna as an Individual A declaration of Edna’s awakening A declaration of Edna’s awakening
sense of individuality catches our sense of individuality catches our attention attention ““I would give up the unessential; I would I would give up the unessential; I would
give my money, I would give my life for give my money, I would give my life for my children, but I wouldn't give myself.”my children, but I wouldn't give myself.”
This is perhaps the statement that This is perhaps the statement that best defines Edna, and yet it seems best defines Edna, and yet it seems counter-intuitivecounter-intuitive Since when does she care so much about her Since when does she care so much about her
kids?kids?
More Significant Than More Significant Than You KnowYou Know We also see one of Chopin’s most vivid symbols – Edna We also see one of Chopin’s most vivid symbols – Edna
tries and fails to crush her wedding ring, then breaks the tries and fails to crush her wedding ring, then breaks the vase insteadvase instead
Obviously, this represents Edna’s willingness to break the bonds of Obviously, this represents Edna’s willingness to break the bonds of matrimony – but the ring can’t be destroyedmatrimony – but the ring can’t be destroyed
She also realizes that she can never be Adèle, and begins She also realizes that she can never be Adèle, and begins to pity her friend for leading such a domesticated lifeto pity her friend for leading such a domesticated life
At this point, she rebels against Léonce’s every order – At this point, she rebels against Léonce’s every order – she wears the wrong clothes, she stops hosting his she wears the wrong clothes, she stops hosting his parties, she retreats into her art – to the point that he parties, she retreats into her art – to the point that he believes she’s suffering from some mental infirmitybelieves she’s suffering from some mental infirmity
He encourages her to pursue her art, hoping it will make her happy He encourages her to pursue her art, hoping it will make her happy – still showing that in his own way, he cares about her– still showing that in his own way, he cares about her
““Some ways she does not seem like other women” – Some ways she does not seem like other women” – Victor’s last words of description, and they’re both more Victor’s last words of description, and they’re both more and less true than he knowsand less true than he knows
She’s not like Adèle – but there were more Ednas in She’s not like Adèle – but there were more Ednas in American than many people realizedAmerican than many people realized