The Awakening and Selected Stories

Apr 17, 2010 Dusty rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone.

Recommended to Dusty by: Carly Sweder, John González

Shelves: graduate-school, read-in-2010

Most reviews of The Awakening begin with a qualification -- "For a woman of her time, Kate Chopin..." -- but not this one. I loved it from start to finish, loved it up, down, and sideways, loved it in a house, with a mouse, etc. It's an angsty American masterpiece -- a Catcher in the Rye for late 19th Century women, if you will, though not only women should/do identify with Edna Pontellier's internal/external struggle against the social "norms" that strap her without her consent into the "mother...more

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Sep 01, 2009 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: did-not-like, hero-or-heroine-i-can-t-stand, required-reading, classic

I did not enjoy this story, and I did not see why Edna's life was so bad. I can understand feeling restricted, but I think Edna was a very selfish woman. If anything, she should have thought of her children. I am not here to say that women don't have existences outside of their marriages, their children. I disagree strongly with that. But a woman has a choice to make. When she brings children into the world, it changes the decisions that she can make. She can be happy and she can have joy, but s...more

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Sep 06, 2011 Jeannette rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: novella, being-your-true-self, women, 2011-read

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I want to review this right away, before considering anyone else's impressions of this book, because this book, to me, is all about impressions. The story unfolds slowly, in the same way that Edna slowly awakens to the reality of who she is and isn't. By falling in love, she finds herself, or maybe admits her dis-satisfaction with her life, and the roles she has to play. She admits early that she is not a good mother, she doesn't care much for society, and she has never loved her husband. By bre...more

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Aug 24, 2010 Molliegordon rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book. I read it in 3 days, over a weekend, and while I rushed the ending, I was engaged by it. What I found so important about this book is that it was written in a style where I felt I understood the main character's inner process. I enjoyed the limited dialogue with an emphasis on description, even during conversations. However, I felt that there was only one main character, Edna, and all the other characters reflected her setting. The ending (which I will not spoil) was particu...more

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Jan 25, 2011 Lina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classic-lit, school-book

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Literature, media and public opinion has always painted a very romanticized picture of marriage and motherhood, especially the latter. Without question, a mother’s love for her child is, idealistically, boundless, which is why filicide is considered so terrible. With that being said, there are some women who just should not be married and should defiantly not be mothers. In The Awakening by Kate Chopin the character of Edna Pontellier, is one of those women. Edna is the type of woman that marri...more Literature, media and public opinion has always painted a very romanticized picture of marriage and motherhood, especially the latter. Without question, a mother’s love for her child is, idealistically, boundless, which is why filicide is considered so terrible. With that being said, there are some women who just should not be married and should defiantly not be mothers. In The Awakening by Kate Chopin the character of Edna Pontellier, is one of those women. Edna is the type of woman that married and had children due to the social expectations of her time period. Her choice in husband came from the intention of vexing her father by marrying a Catholic and having children was just an expected side effect of marriage.

In the beginning it is clear that she does have love for children since she spends the day with them, but her husband, Mr. Pontellier, scolds her for “habitual neglect of the children.” At first this seems like an uninvolved husband pretending to know what is best for his sons, despite spending minimum time with them. Even his comment of, “if one of the little Pontellier boys took a tumble whilst at play he was not apt to rush crying to his mother’s arms for comfort; he would more likely pick himself up…and go on playing” seems like typical behavior for young children, especially boys. Later on, however, during a scene between Edna and Madame Ratignolle, it is stated “Edna had once told Mme Ratignolle that she would never sacrifice herself for her children, or for anyone.” Edna’s shortcomings as a mother stem from the emptiness of both her marriage and her own life. She lacks passion and therefore is unable to share it to anyone else; Robert’s entry into her life manages to ignite some desires, but it does not make her a better mother.

As Edna goes through her awakening, she rebels against the social norms that her husband thinks should be applied towards women. In the scene where Edna throws a vase into the hearth, a traditional way to refer to a home place or household, it shows that she has completely forsaken the order that was thrust upon her through marriage. While the feminist tones are strong and make Edna an empathetic lead, a part of me felt as if she was being selfish. Rightfully so when it came to breaking away from the control of her husband, who really saw her as another thing he owned, but when it came down to Edna’s relationship with her children, I found her behavior a bit, grading. Yes, she might not have wanted them, but they needed her. She could have been able to show them how to be decent men, who would marry for love and treat a woman the way she wished to have been treated. Perfect maternity was not what I was looking for, since as stated before, not all women should be mothers, but that does not mean leaving behind two innocent boys, because the man you are “in love with” won’t be there.
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Nov 14, 2008 Jeanette rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: classics, all-fiction, america

This is a short novel, published in 1899. It caused such a scandal that it was banned for decades afterward. The furor over this book was so upsetting to Kate Chopin that she gave up writing altogether.

The story is about Mrs. Edna Pontellier, a Kentucky girl married to Leonce, a New Orleans Creole. One summer, When she is twenty-eight, something inside her starts to shift. She's not fully aware of what's happening, but she knows she feels different. Gradually she stops obeying social convention...more

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Mar 30, 2011 Debbie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: book-club

I haven't finished the entire book yet - I'll get to the short stories in the next day or so. But I finished "The Awakening," and I'm not sure just what I think of it yet, thus I've given it somewhat of an ambivalent 3-star rating. (Warning: my review contains information about the plot...)

This was an interesting read, made more so by understanding the era in which it was written (late 1800s) and that women back then didn't have the right to be as autonomous as they are in today's world. Edna is...more I haven't finished the entire book yet - I'll get to the short stories in the next day or so. But I finished "The Awakening," and I'm not sure just what I think of it yet, thus I've given it somewhat of an ambivalent 3-star rating. (Warning: my review contains information about the plot...)

This was an interesting read, made more so by understanding the era in which it was written (late 1800s) and that women back then didn't have the right to be as autonomous as they are in today's world. Edna is in a marriage that doesn't suit her, and she doesn't find much happiness in the day to day responsibilities of her domestic life, though she wouldn't describe herself as discontent. Then she meets Robert and ends up falling in love with him, and a switch is turned on as her "awakening" to her new self begins. My question is, what exactly is she awakening to? Robert disappears from her life for a few months just as Edna realizes her love for him; subsequently, Edna continues to uncover her true self as she starts shedding her domestic responsibilties - she stops taking callers to her home, she leaves the care of her children entirely up to the nanny, and she begins to do whatever she pleases despite the impact it seems to have on her husband and how their acquaintances view them. Then she meets another man, and while I'm not sure she ever gives herself completely to him, she spends much of her time with him and has an affair, all the while pining away for Robert. Of course, Robert returns to her life at this point, and Edna tries to resume her affair with him. Her "awakening" is beginning to make her look like the town trollop. It seems she is awakening to her adolescence, rather than to a new, better self.

But perhaps this is to be expected. Women today are able to study whatever interests them and support themselves without breaking any rules of society. Today's woman also freely dates and sleeps with whomever she wants, usually without creating a scandal. Most women go through this time of their life during their early twenties or while in college. Edna was never given that freedom, nor were other women of that time. Maybe it's normal that she seems to regress by today's standards.

The part of the novel that I truly had a hard time with was the ending. Throughout the book, Edna is striving to become more independent. She follows her own desires and even moves out of her house to live in a small apartment on her own. But when Robert rejects her because he realizes that their society will never allow them to be together in the end, I think she does something that is out of character - she kills herself. Instead of awakening to the independent Edna we've been witness to throughout the novel, in the end she shows herself to be dependent on a man for her happiness.(less)

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Apr 11, 2010 Librarian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adultfiction, let-s-get-political, lonely-people

You know the feminist books where the heroine dies or goes crazy in the end because she just can't keep with convention? This book's the big kahuna of that genre for me.

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Feb 17, 2011 maricar rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, fiction-for-women

I admit it’s difficult to try to put up what I think would be my own review of The Awakening without it being influenced by Sandra Gilbert’s introduction ~~(uhmm, so maybe I shouldn’t bother, eh)~~. And yes, this reading was done haltingly, in between long stretches of intervals… *shakes fist* damn you, attention span shot to hell!

To posit Edna Pontellier as a ‘mother-woman’ on the verge of going through minute yet slyly rapturous, if harrowing, changes from within which would ultimately coalesce in...more

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Jan 24, 2013 Isaac rated it 3 of 5 stars

The rise of feminism was one of the most momentous and fascinating transformations of the 20th century. If only Edna Pontellier's transformation was anywhere near as exciting.

Don't get me wrong, this is an insightful dissection of gender roles and challenging societal norms, but I found it uneventful and mostly filled with unlikeable characters. The main source of interest in this story is character development, and Edna Pontellier certainly does that quite a bit. However, simply showing Edna ch...more The rise of feminism was one of the most momentous and fascinating transformations of the 20th century. If only Edna Pontellier's transformation was anywhere near as exciting.

Don't get me wrong, this is an insightful dissection of gender roles and challenging societal norms, but I found it uneventful and mostly filled with unlikeable characters. The main source of interest in this story is character development, and Edna Pontellier certainly does that quite a bit. However, simply showing Edna change does not make the reader like her more, or create interest.

She’s mostly bland, becoming increasingly rebellious and emotional as time passes, but hardly an interesting character who feels distinct. She’s pretty, not particularly intelligent or thoughtful, delicate and temperamental. Compared to someone like Madame Reisz, the unattractive, short musically-talented widow who has been outcast from society, Edna is a dull and two-dimensional turtle coming out of her shell.

Strangely, I started feeling sorry for Robert (Row-bear) instead, who was unfortunate enough to flirt with the wrong woman and got himself tangled up in a trouble. He’s just doing what he’s used to doing, flirting with women as per Creole norms, but Edna gets all excited and falls in love with him, and so he must say “goodbye, because I love you”. Thanks a bunch, Edna.

Maybe it’s just me and my 21st century perspective, but I feel like Edna could have done more to solve her problems instead of going off and try to build a new life away from her family. She abandons her young children in pursuit of independence. Why should female independence come with throwing away her family? Maybe she didn’t really love her children, or felt that they could get on without her, but why should her own identity problems take precedence over the welfare of her children?

Monsieur Pontellier was hardly the steady father figure either, so Edna is depriving her children of a trustworthy parent, which could cause severe emotional problems for them in later life. Even if we take her abandonment of her family as a symbolic distancing herself from her role as the homemaker, I can’t help but feel as though this is -- and this is coming from someone who prescribes to no particular moral code-- morally questionable.

The book is worth reading once, to see how Edna changes. Can't guarantee you'll enjoy it, though. The book just suffers from a few weak spots that dampen the story. There’s a lot to like about character development, and there are some excellent moments of drama between interesting people. The Creole society is captured elegantly. Still, it’s not enough to reconcile the questionable main character.(less)

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Jan 24, 2013 Karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Despite the fact that I did not enjoy “The Awakening”, Chopin wrote the book beautifully. The initial setting was one where “[Mr. Pontellier can] see [the beach] plainly between the gaunt trunks of the water-oaks and across the stretch of yellow chamomile. The Gulf [looks] far away, melting lazily into the blue of the horizon” (3). This scene evokes pleasing and relaxing images, with “yellow” representing a relaxing and sweet color, and “chamomile” being the flower used for relaxation. Further,...more Despite the fact that I did not enjoy “The Awakening”, Chopin wrote the book beautifully. The initial setting was one where “[Mr. Pontellier can] see [the beach] plainly between the gaunt trunks of the water-oaks and across the stretch of yellow chamomile. The Gulf [looks] far away, melting lazily into the blue of the horizon” (3). This scene evokes pleasing and relaxing images, with “yellow” representing a relaxing and sweet color, and “chamomile” being the flower used for relaxation. Further, the idea of the Gulf “melting lazily” seems tranquil, like the perfect summers day. This passage demonstrates one of Chopin’s many uses of metaphor and imagery to improve the texts, and it helped me to visualize the dreamy nature of the setting. Characterization occurred in a similar manner, with description used as the major building of character. Because of this sophistication and beauty in playing with figurative language, I appreciated this text slightly more.
Though the style of writing is sophisticated, and there is a central theme or meaning from the book, I rated it low due to the main character. Often I found myself irritated with the characters and their behaviors. Edna Pontellier endeavors throughout the book to become independent, “to recognize her relations as an individual to the world within and about her”(19), yet along the way, even her children do not “rush crying to [their] mother’s arms for comfort” (11). I found it upsetting that amidst her various ponderings, she refuses to focus on the present. She is described as holding an “outward existence which conforms, the inward life which questions” (20). Though I would agree that inwardly questioning is better than blindly following what society states, it seems as the story moves on, that Edna becomes increasingly obsessed with this inner life. She stops living in the real world where she should questions decisions and respect the decisions she makes earlier in her life. In the example of her children, she chooses to marry at a young age, and to someone whom she does not love.
I respect the awakening that she receives, when she begins to act on the thoughts that she’s had about breaking from the oppression of Léonce. Her move to the “Pigeon House” from his home, her relations with Robert, and her growing relationship with Mademoiselle Reisz, demonstrate a level of thinking that separates her from society. She notices the boundaries established by the role of being a woman and feels that she must escape from the oppression. However, she does not handle these thoughts with the maturity that they require, rather, she takes off her wedding ring and flings it on the carpet, she has a frivolous affair with Alcée, despite her undying love for Robert, and her marriage to Léonce, and she neglects her life. Eventually, overcome by the battle which she has within herself, she swims into the water until “there [is] the hum of bees, and the musky odor of pinks [fill] the air” (178). I find this tale of Edna strange and upsetting that despite these thoughts of maturity which she has, she doesn’t consider consequences in a mature fashion.
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Jan 24, 2013 Kasirha G. rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Chopin’s The Awakening is a beautifully written tale about the less than beautiful experience of a young woman struggling against the confines of marriage and womanhood in early twentieth century Creole society. The prose is lovely and symphonic, using vivid imagery and metaphor to characterize the world that Edna lives in and the people she encounters. Most pages are a joy to read…the only issue I have with the book is the main character, Edna.
I have mixed feelings about this character. I re...more Chopin’s The Awakening is a beautifully written tale about the less than beautiful experience of a young woman struggling against the confines of marriage and womanhood in early twentieth century Creole society. The prose is lovely and symphonic, using vivid imagery and metaphor to characterize the world that Edna lives in and the people she encounters. Most pages are a joy to read…the only issue I have with the book is the main character, Edna.
I have mixed feelings about this character. I respect her for her decision to attempt to wrest power from those around her (her controlling husband—Léonce—and her children). Where Madame Ratignolle finds bliss in blindly accepting the role that has been allotted to her and Mademoiselle Reisz finds independence by flatly rejecting her role and the society that created it, Edna attempts to find freedom without losing touch entirely with the world she has grown accustomed to. Unfortunately for Edna, the happiness that comes with “becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garment with which to appear before the world” (87) is fleeting. Her awakening brings her much suffering; days of listlessness, sadness, loneliness, and long hours in which she misses Robert Lebrun. She feels stifled in her husband’s house and chooses to move to the “pigeon house”, a small place that she has bought with her own money earned from selling her artwork. Yet despite the unhappiness that comes from her struggle, Edna still asserts, “it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one’s life.” (171) I admire Edna for championing herself against a seemingly invincible foe, and for vanquishing it in her own way. In Edna’s case, death was a form of conquest. She accomplished what Winston was unable to in Orwell’s 1984: Edna dies ‘hating the Party’. She “give[s] up the unessential; […]money, […] life[…]” but she does not relinquish herself.
However, I do not countenance all of Edna’s actions. Her decisions are marked by a lack of both foresight and hindsight. “The past was nothing to her; offered no lesson which she was willing to heed. The future was a mystery which she never attempted to penetrate.” (69) Chopin writes of Mrs. Pontellier towards the beginning of the novel. Perhaps a part of the freedom Edna sought was the ability to act recklessly, in sharp contrast to the life led by habit and Fate that she had led before. Chopin often speaks of following where her feet lead or following Fate’s design, giving a sense that Edna has no agency in her life. Even so, her affair with Alcée Arobin seems childish. Perhaps it was meant to be an expression of her disdain towards the traditional order, but I am not so sure. Throughout Edna’s awakening she seems to be experiencing something profound without realizing that it is profound. Edna seems utterly unaware of the significance of her actions. She often appears juvenile and inconsistent. Of course, this could only be a result of the reader’s inability to see the world through Edna’s eyes. Edna is a difficult character to understand, and though her story gives us valuable insights into out own selves, I left the novel feeling that I did not really know her at all.
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Jan 16, 2013 Teresa Lo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: senior-year

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Kate Chopin’s The Awakening is about Edna Pontellier’s exploration of feminism and being an individual, while contradicting the expectations of society.

The Awakening started off slowly for me, but built up momentum by the 20% mark. I think I was mostly hooked when Robert left Edna for New Orleans, as there, many main themes in the story start to develop, though there were instances of it before. Here we start to see Edna really rebel against societal norms and her marriage.

I really enjoyed Kat...more Kate Chopin’s The Awakening is about Edna Pontellier’s exploration of feminism and being an individual, while contradicting the expectations of society.

The Awakening started off slowly for me, but built up momentum by the 20% mark. I think I was mostly hooked when Robert left Edna for New Orleans, as there, many main themes in the story start to develop, though there were instances of it before. Here we start to see Edna really rebel against societal norms and her marriage.

I really enjoyed Kate Chopin’s use of symbolism, especially with water. In the beginning we see Edna feeling unsure about herself when she first swims. Edna is overtaken by exultation, and “she grew daringand reckless, overestimating her strength. She wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before.” This feeling did not last thing however; as she soon felt “a quick vision of death smote her soul, and for a second of time appalled and enfeebled her senses.” This is a good symbol for her journey with feminism. At first, she revels in her new power, and feels free to not answer call cards from her friends or neighbors and to do whatever she pleases, but she still feel uncomfortable in her role as a feminist, more obviously so when compared to Madame Reisz. Madame Reisz has forgone the pressures of society and has become her own woman who is comfortable with her relative isolation, whereas Edna never fully reaches that stage. The symbol of water is mentioned throughout the book, but the most important instance of it was at the end, when Edna, in a Venus-esqe scene drowns herself. This allusion, “for the first time in her life she stood naked in the open air…[t]he foamy wavelets curled up to her white feel, and coiled like serpents about her ankles”, is one of my favorite parts of the book as I think it’s so clever and it definitely made me pay more attention to the writing. I thought this was a very appropriate way to end the novel, as it ties together with what water represents: feminism. Therefore, I, as reader, was able to fully grasp Edna’s plight in feminism through this symbol that Chopin creates.

I think that the characterization of Edna was very intricate, and that was what I enjoyed most about the novel. In class, we discussed whether Edna was a hero or perhaps something of a darker nature, and the different arguments that can be made for both was what alluring about it to me. In many instances, Edna seems to just want independence, which I supported wholeheartedly, as I am a modern female living in a society with greater tolerance for female freedom, yet in other instances, she acts in a way that I would not condone.

According to the Formalist literary critics, an important part of a novel with literary merit is organic unity or how all parts of the novel work together flawlessly in order to make the whole. The novel never fully pulled me in and got me invested in Edna’s problems, coupled with how I sometimes disapproved of Edna’s action, though more often than not, I did support her goal, I could not say that this was a definite five for me. The writing flowed smoothly, and with the many symbols, metaphors, and allusions in the novel, I felt that it was still quite well rounded. I would rate this book as a three, as it met most Formalist literary critic requirements for a book with literary merit, but my own personal enjoyment was not as high. (less)

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Feb 19, 2013 María rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: foremothers

The Awakening was really good, but I didn't like most of the selected stories that much. They were ok, but not as good as the novella.

The plot of The Awakening was truly moving and I was amazed by the complexity of the protagonist's character. Chopin has truly managed to capture in her protagonist the contradictions of the human psyche. However, the most interesting dimension of the novella is by far its value as a piece of feminist propaganda, especially when we consider the date of its publica...more

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Mar 04, 2013 Ian rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001-books

I found it hard to elicit much sympathy for Edna Pontellier. She has a successful husband who dotes on her and two fine, loving children. Her emotional and sensual awakening leads to her falling for the first young man who shows her affection and when he removes himself to Mexico to prevent any impropriety with a married woman, Edna allows herself to be seduced by the local lothario. Of course it ends badly, but was it really society's fault? Perhaps Chopin's depiction of Edna not as a martyr un...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Jennifer D. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-books, books-i-own

this was great!! i only gave it a 4/5 though because i was felt abruptly jarred out of the awakening and into the other stories int he collection. it was only on going back and re-reading the ending of the awakening that i felt, ah, yes. okay. that's over now. clearly i wasn't ready for it to be over. the other stories in this collection were interesting. i don't tend to fare well with short stories as i feel like i am missing something or they are too ambiguous/unfinished. i wish this were the...more

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Dec 03, 2009 Dory rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

I'm currently reading this for a university class. Have to finish it by next Tuesday, so will probably enter a blurb about it next week...

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Jan 12, 2011 Jill Riveroll rated it 5 of 5 stars

Re-reading this incredible book about a woman in an impossible situation. Love Kate Chopin as a woman, a true herione herself.

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Jan 24, 2013 Saania rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Impressionable and powerful. The Awakening is a story about a woman, Edna Pontellier, in the early 20th century, who sloughs the skin of “valuable property” as defined by her husband and society, and rises as the “romantic heroine” Robert Lebrun sees her as and as the “budding femme fatale” Arobin sees her as.

Edna lives in a society wherein a woman’s assertion of independence and display of individualism is seen as a “coup d’etat,” (p. 131) and where women who seek to criticize society and sati...more Impressionable and powerful. The Awakening is a story about a woman, Edna Pontellier, in the early 20th century, who sloughs the skin of “valuable property” as defined by her husband and society, and rises as the “romantic heroine” Robert Lebrun sees her as and as the “budding femme fatale” Arobin sees her as.

Edna lives in a society wherein a woman’s assertion of independence and display of individualism is seen as a “coup d’etat,” (p. 131) and where women who seek to criticize society and satirize-- unlike men-- must don a cloak of anonymity and write under a “nom de guerre”, (p. 133). Yet, she is unconcerned with the criticism of society.

This book embodies Formalist values in that it has an atypical resolution of tension. Unlike in an ideal, fairytale world, Edna Pontellier’s journey is deeper and more realistic. She is unable to completely break free of societal, sexist bonds, but ultimately, she does assert her individuality, her freedom. Through the atypical, sad ending where she commits suicide, Edna ingrains her newly realized feminist instincts in her society. Instead of caving in to societal pressures, instead of reverting back to her old reserved self, she leaves the world with an image of her newfound self.

Chopin’s subtle use of imagery and symbols throughout the book also lend credence to her ability as a skilled writer. For example, when Edna dines alone in her new “pigeon house,” “the candelabra, with a few candles in the center of the table, g[i]ve all the light she need[s],” and this circle of light on her symbolizes her growing comfort and satisfaction with her new individualistic life, (p. 111). As well: towards the end of the novel, when Edna is walking into the sea, she is someone who has realized the gender inequality in society and rebelled against it, but alas, only to realize that she is a "bird with a broken wing beating the air," (p. 176), a bird who possesses the ability of flight, but nonetheless cannot fly, nonetheless is compromised by the norms of society.

However, despite Edna’s realization of her desire to become a “regal woman, the one who rules, who looks on, who stands alone” (p. 136), despite her aspirations and inhibitions, she is too weak to live as she wants and cope with the consequent pressures. Thus, because the protagonist’s actions are indicative of weakness, Edna may not be regarded so highly in a reader’s eyes. After a certain event, she develops a determination that “drive[s] into her soul like a death wound” (p. 172), to not be unfaithful to her husband, but then she makes the decision to succumb to her lust for Robert anyway. While it is legitimate for Edna to denounce the ‘claim’ her husband has over her, it seems premature for her to shirk her responsibility as a mother and for her to commit adultery.

Nonetheless, Chopin captures the sentiments of brave women in her day, who dared defy the roles society decided for them. The imperfections of Edna do add deeper meaning to the book, through the portrayal of budding heroine, who is still human in her weakness-- thus emphasizing the realism in Chopin’s writing. Edna seeks purpose in her life. She believes that “we women learn so little of life on the whole,” (p. 163). Confined to homes, tied down with childbirth and child rearing women of the time do not go abroad and seek themselves-- that is strictly for men of the strong will and mind. According to men the sole purpose of a woman is to give birth and raise children, as summed up by Leonce Pontellier, “If it was not a mother’s place to look after children, whose on earth was it?” (p. 8). Edna is critical of women who accept their subservient position, (p. 33) and of herself for doing so, for living in “a life long, stupid dream!” which she awoke from thanks to Robert, (p. 167). Atypical of most obedient wives who are expected to conform and comply, “she began to look with her own eyes; to see and to apprehend the deeper undercurrents of life. No longer was she content to “feed upon opinion” when her own soul had invited her,” (p. 144).

Edna says, “Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one’s life,” (p. 171). And for this reason, The Awakening, is an essential novel that captures themes such as gender inequality and heroism. It is relatable even in the 21st century, and is a must-read.(less)

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Dec 29, 2012 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I chose to look at this as pretty much allegorical, rather than any definitive feminist call to arms (and from what I've read of Chopin, she was no activist). So as far as that goes, I don't have much comment on the plot -- it was what it was, and I think it works a lot better framed as a fable than, say a cautionary tale or fantasy -- but I did like the writing quite a bit. At its most atmospheric it reminded me a bit of Walker Percy's The Moviegoer, and not just because of the setting. There w...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Erica rated it 3 of 5 stars

In our world everyone has a specific role needed to be played,. In the earlier years Men were known for their strength and hard work and women were known for there household work and care for there family. People have thought for decades that women were considered a “possession” to men when married, whether that has changed now in the present days it once was considered a demand for life. The Awakening explains the emotions and lifestyles of one woman and the changes in her life when she decides...more In our world everyone has a specific role needed to be played,. In the earlier years Men were known for their strength and hard work and women were known for there household work and care for there family. People have thought for decades that women were considered a “possession” to men when married, whether that has changed now in the present days it once was considered a demand for life. The Awakening explains the emotions and lifestyles of one woman and the changes in her life when she decides to take control of her own decisions.

Some people still feel that women should be told what to do, they don’t feel that women should have a right to decide things for themselves. In the beginning of The Awakening, Edna is considered a “possession” to Léonce, her husband. She is always demanded to do something for her family. One day she’s walking back from the beach with a guy name Robert, and Léonce noticed that she is sunburned and scolds her for it, then he notices the flirtatious affect Robert has on Edna and tells her to immediately go home. In this era men weren’t suppose to get jealous because it destroys their reputation.

Throughout this novel, Edna notices she is never happy. Her husband, Leonce, seems to get mad whenever she doesn’t do what he wants. One example was when Léonce thought his son had a fever and he insisted that Edna go check on him, but because of her response he criticized her and told her she has a “habitual neglect of the children.” That’s when her awakening begins, she tells her life story to her friend Adele, and as tells it she realizes that she has shut out all her dreams that she had throughout her childhood because she was suppose to be the “motherly woman”, the one who does whatever the husband asks and puts aside whatever she wants to do to make her family happy.

“How few of us ever emerge from such beginning! How many souls perish in its tumult!”

“(Edna) perceived that her will had blazed up, stubborn and resistant . . . she could not realize why or how she should have (ever) yielded (to her husband), feeling as she then did.”

Edna decides from that point on that she is her own unique person, and that she is willing to discover her dreams and find her inner-self. She was sick of being unhappy and being told what to do. She wanted to become independent and free to do what she wants. Many women these days would not be able to connect with this kind of lifestyle because of all the freedom and rights we have now. Women these days are very independent and can share their input into things and give suggestions.

As Edna starts her journey of independence, she decides to hang out with Robert more and finds it easier to talk to him than her own husband. Robert is a guy who has a different girl every summer, he never attaches to anyone he just has fun and flirts but when he keeps hanging with Edna his feelings begin to change. Robert decides to leave and tells Edna when he comes back he will tell her his feelings towards her.

Throughout the story Edna changes incredibly, She starts to become a woman like us in the present day. Her husband, Léonce notices a change in Edna’s personality and attitude and gets mad. He gets mad that she is refusing to do things he wants and is doing the things she wants. She begins to recognize and listen to her own emotions and begins to allow this inner life to emerge and expand to the point that it affects those around her. When Roberts maid ,Mademoiselle Reisz tests Edna’s devotion to Robert by making false claims about the nature of love. She realizes that Edna’s feelings are real and laughs when she finally confesses her love for Robert.

When Robert returns, she wants to see him right away, and as he was gone she hooked up with another guy but she found out that Robert was with multiple girls while he was gone. Robert thought that Edna was loyal and would make the perfect wife but when he found out that she had an affair with Alcee he realized they could never be together. This may confuse you because in the beginning I told you that Robert always had different girls throughout the summer, but that was the type of man he was and he told each woman that. So he never expected Edna to fall for him and he never expected to fall for her. Sadly he left and he never left Edna’s mind, she became really depressed and begins to feel the isolation of her current lifestyle. She became unhappy about leaving her children and develops only once solution.

“Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one’s life.”

When Edna and Robert finally speak honestly of their feelings for one another, Edna realizes the tragic, the final revelation of her awakening. Edna realizes that she is still trapped, and forced by the society and its expectations. After Adele, Leonce, Robert and her children’s last words, she takes a swim into the sea and thinks about everything, then the tragedy strikes and exhaustion takes over as she is too weak to swim to shore, killing herself from depression and loneliness. By killing herself, she avoids self-betrayal while still having no affect on her children’s reputation, she arranged her suicide so it appeared as an accident.

The Awakening is a very emotional novel, and knowing that this was once how our world was makes me grateful of the freedom I have as a young women. I can never think of myself as a possession but that’s because I was never in that era, I would never be able to feel Edna’s mixed emotions but that’s because I have never been in her shoes. This book has a great story line and shows a lot of emotion as well as the affect it had on the women in that day and shows the strength and patients women had, knowning they had to be dependent.
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Oct 14, 2012 Hannah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1800-novels, i-own, pmc-junior-year, self-discovery-novels

I promise to be brutally honest with my opinion, but it should not be taken as fact. Any reader should read it for themselves, before they decide if this book has any merit or not. Do not judge this book biased solely on my opinion. If you do, you might miss out on a great read. You never know. It could happen.

1. Strong Main Character/ Female Heroine: Edna is definitely what one would call a strong woman in the 1800s. She married her husband after being infatuated with the idea of him and to...more I promise to be brutally honest with my opinion, but it should not be taken as fact. Any reader should read it for themselves, before they decide if this book has any merit or not. Do not judge this book biased solely on my opinion. If you do, you might miss out on a great read. You never know. It could happen.

1. Strong Main Character/ Female Heroine: Edna is definitely what one would call a strong woman in the 1800s. She married her husband after being infatuated with the idea of him and to disobey her father and sister. She is an independent woman, who wants to take her life back and have a crush on a younger man, but she neglects her children in the process. Edna could have had both. She could have had her lover Robert on the side, while still be a mother to her children. Plenty of modern day parents stay married only for their children and have lovers on the side. I am not saying that that is the right way to go, but it is better than the alternative. (view spoiler) 3 out of 5 stars

2. Strong Minor Characters: There is only four main people in this book that could be called minor characters. Edna’s husband is one of them. He is obsessed with wealth and his possessions. He views his wife and his children as his possessions as well that should be admired by the rest of society. Chopin introduces the concept of conspicuous consumption, which is the idea that men in those times showed off their wealth by showering their wives with precious jewels and the latest fashions. They bought mansions and decorate them fabulously. They go on expensive vacations and hire many servants to do the daily house duties. Robert is a caring young man, who is imaginative and very adventurous. He wishes to be flirty with Edna, but soon becomes attached and in love with her. Adele becomes close friends with Edna and tries to get her to think a little more about the wellbeing of the children instead of always about herself. Madame Reiz teaches piano to students and is an example for Edna’s wish to be an artist herself. I found the minor characters more interesting and three dimensional than Edna herself. 5 out of 5 stars

3. The Setting: The story takes place on an island resort and then later, in the city as well. The fact that Chopin actually describes real places in the United States was a pleasant surprise for me, since I have been reading books with made up cities and such in Young Adult novels. It is refreshing to actually be taken to a real place and transported back to a real tangible time. 4 out of 5 stars

4. The Plot: This is my first time reading this story and I have to say that I was somewhat surprised by the ending. I mean, I know that Edna was feeling vulnerable, but I did not really expect her to take it that far, to that kind of an extreme. If you are new to my reviewing style, I will just tell you that I do not restate the plot or the back cover of the book. My reader you can read that for yourself. I want to tell you my experience with the book and REVIEW what I think about it. So, this is what I think about the plot. I enjoyed the story and all it had to offer. It provided a historical portrait of Creole society at the time. 5 out of 5 stars

Overall, this book gets a 4 ¼ from me. There were a few fine details that I would have liked to fix. For example, I would have made Edna a little more likable and relatable. She seemed like such a spoiled, rich woman to me, but she could have been portrayed differently to be more relatable to others in Creole society as a whole.

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Nov 17, 2012 Aude rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, read-for-school, read-in-english

Je devais lire ce livre pour mon cours de littérature américaine pour la fac, et malgré l'histoire qui s'avérait prometteuse, j'ai été très déçue. On attend beaucoup d'Edna, qu'elle fasse quelque chose, qu'elle se réveille, qu'elle se rebelle et qu'elle fasse enfin quelque chose dans sa vie amoureuse qui la rende sincèrement heureuse mais non, la plupart du livre ne tourne qu'autour de dialogues, de sentiments... L'histoire se déroule sur 9 mois, mais elle n'avance pratiquement pas. D'abord elle...more

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Aug 16, 2012 Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I usually fly through books like it's a competition, and start the next one greedily like if I don't get to it now someone else will and I'll lose my chance. I have no idea why I do this, but honestly I have worse personality flaws so it's not really a concern of mine. This novel took me an extraordinarily long time to read given its length -- 140 pages or something over the course of 6 days. It's not that my interest was flagging or that I was so busy with other things, though no one should mis...more I usually fly through books like it's a competition, and start the next one greedily like if I don't get to it now someone else will and I'll lose my chance. I have no idea why I do this, but honestly I have worse personality flaws so it's not really a concern of mine. This novel took me an extraordinarily long time to read given its length -- 140 pages or something over the course of 6 days. It's not that my interest was flagging or that I was so busy with other things, though no one should mistake this as a page turner and truth be told, I did have things outside of fiction-reading to deal with, but that's not why this took so long.

I first read Kate Chopin's short story The Story of an Hour four years ago. It's like two pages long and follows one woman's emotional roller coaster upon learning of her husband's death, and it is profound. Anyway, so there I was the other day searching for Willa Cather in the library and there on the shelf below was Kate Chopin, and I remembered the story that had stuck with me for four years and I picked up this book. Turns out there was some DRAMA a hundred years ago when Chopin published The Awakening and it basically ruined her literary career, even my girl Willa Cather was wagging her finger in condescension and disappointment that Chopin would write such trash.

This is everyone's favorite way for great literature to emerge, of course. I'm sure Chopin would have liked otherwise.

Anyway. Listen, sometimes in life we become so entrenched in what we're doing that one day we look around and realize we forgot long ago why we were digging, but by that point the trench is so deep it's not immediately clear how to get out, and even if and when we do figure the way out, it's going to be extraordinarily difficult. And then sometimes the trench is surrounded by Germans who will kill you even if and when you emerge and so you have to take a while and wonder if maybe it's worth it to just wait it out inside the trench.

Then you realize you're in a goddamn trench staring at dirt all day and even if it means getting shot by Germans you're going to get the hell out.

(This book is not, in case it's unclear, about WWI and in fact predates it and also I don't know anything about trench warfare or decent metaphors.)

I think goodreads will preserve the updates I made as I read so there's no need to quote them here, and also this isn't a diary so whatever. I had to re-read passages, just to make sure they were really real and I had really read them and not just projected my own feelings on them. This book was painful at times and once I had to stop to cry, which I don't mention because I want you to feel bad for me, but to illustrate how honest this book is, how Chopin doesn't soften the topic or rationalize the feelings or even villainize anyone, but patiently leads you step by step along the protagonist's path as she does some intense emotional processing and personal development.

Not every woman is a doughboy and not every marriage is trench warfare and not every society is commanded by the Kaiser to shoot when someone pokes her head up, but all the same, feminists, take note. It's distressing that a hundred-year-old book on a topic like this should be anything but a historical novelty. (less)

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Aug 04, 2012 Emily rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is my second time reading this book and I am happy to say that I could finally "feel" what was wrong with the character. Of course, I do not know what it was like to live in the days when women's rights were limited, but I can truly see how it was implicated in Edna Pontiellier.

This novel is in a way, a one-of-a-kind of its own. I can see how one could feel so free yet so trapped at the same time. Edna Pontiellier was living in both her reality and her dreams. My very first impression of h...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Serina Spancake rated it 4 of 5 stars

The novel "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin, in my opinion, was a good novel. This novel would be good for someone who likes to read about drama and everyday life. The plot is kind of tedious, if you are not into this genre of novel, and it may take a while for the reader to get involved; but once you get closer the middle of the novel it becomes more exciting. I would not suggest this book to anyone younger than thirteen of fourteen years of age. The novel contains big words and parts that may be...more

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Oct 25, 2011 Steffie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: university

I began to read this book over the Summer as it was required reading for one of my university courses; this was the second book I read from the reading list and it was a welcome surprise.

As I began to read through the first story, 'The Awakening', what most people believe to be Chopin's greatest work, it quickly and effortlessly pulled me in; much like the soothing breeze that blows through the beach on 'Grand Isle'.

We follow the vacation and the events afterwards of a young woman, Edna Pontelli...more I began to read this book over the Summer as it was required reading for one of my university courses; this was the second book I read from the reading list and it was a welcome surprise.

As I began to read through the first story, 'The Awakening', what most people believe to be Chopin's greatest work, it quickly and effortlessly pulled me in; much like the soothing breeze that blows through the beach on 'Grand Isle'.

We follow the vacation and the events afterwards of a young woman, Edna Pontellier. Edna is visiting the holiday resort of Grand Ilse with her husband and their two male children to enjoy the sun.

However, in this idealistic setting Edna's mind wanders as she comes across characters such as: Adèle Ratignolle, who deeply differs in character from the not naturally maternal and handicraft-abled Edna.

As the story continues we get to know Edna exceptionally well and she has the bonus of not being a completely, perfect character; Edna is obviously flawed and that's what makes her human and easier to relate to.

At the end of the story I was left with the feeling of emptiness that you feel when you've read a truly, great story that you wished continued on, but I had the satisfaction that comes with reading a well-written, inviting piece of work too.

After 'The Awakening' the first thing that hits is that the continuing stories are much, much shorter and this can take getting used to. I feel that it would have been a lot better if 'The Awakening' had of been positioned at the end of the book. This would stop the feeling of coming out of a dark room and being blinded by light that is left after finishing such a long piece and venturing in to such short ones after.

The stories that follow differ in styles with some feeling as if they're children's fiairy tales and others as pieces written for a magazine.

However, I found each one of them enchanting and heart-warming in their own way.

I would very much encourage anyone to read this book especially if they have a keen interest in feminist themes.(less)

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Aug 28, 2011 Tocotin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 19th-century, ebooks

I heard a lot about this book and finally decided to read it. The story is deceptively simple. A young married woman, mother to two little children, discovers that her pampered and seemingly happy life in New Orleans at the end of the 19th century doesn't suit her any more (her budding love affair serves as a trigger of this discovery). She wants to be alone and free, and her actions are all very vague; the only thing she knows for sure is that she doesn't care for her former existence.

Now I'm r...more

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Jul 27, 2011 Alex rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, reading-through-history

Chopin is good shit. Kirs picked it up for me after finding with horror that I'd never read her; she has literally never steered me wrong with books, so it's hardly surprising. (I wish I could say I had the same track record with her. Sorry about Kavalier and Clay!)

"The Awakening" makes an interesting pair with Madame Bovary; the themes are nearly identical, but the execution is as different as it can be. Edna is an ambiguous character, and it's easy to feel that she's making some questionable d...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Mel rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 19th-century-fiction, american-lit

This book falls into the category of "19th century American authors I don't like". I wanted to like it, the story of an "awakening" of a 19th century woman stuck in America. But I just didn't. The writing style just put me off. One of the reasons I love Victorian fiction so much is that I love the lyrical style of writers like Hardy and Gaskell, and the insightful way in which they write about people. This novel had none of that. It also seemed that the subject matter, women may fall in love wit...more

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