The next lesson in self-expression occurs in Chapter IX when Edna hears Mademoiselle Reisz perform on the piano. The mademoiselle's piano playing affects her in a deep, soul-stirring way:.
She saw no pictures of solitude, of hope, of longing, or of despair. But the very passions themselves were aroused within her soul, swaying it, lashing it, as the waves daily beat upon her splendid body. She trembled, she was chocking, and.
the tears blinded her. (Chopin 45).
"As the music ceases to conjure up images in Edna's mind, it becomes for Edna a sort of call to.
something within herself (Ward 5). Mademoiselle Reisz feels that she has been communicating with Edna through the music: "Mademoiselle Reisz perceived [Edna's] agitation and even her tears. . 'You are the only one worth playing for'" (Chopin 45). Influenced by the music's emotive power of self-expression, Edna begins to paint with a renewed vigor. She now feels that art is a "way of self-expression and of self-assertion" (Wyatt 1). Becoming so preoccupied with the self-exploration and the self-articulation that her artistic abilities offer her, Edna becomes distracted from her family life and begins to neglect her duties as a wife and mother. Mr. Pontellier seems to think that her distraction is a result of a mental imbalance. He says that "she lets the housekeeping go to the dickens . . .[and] goes tramping about by herself, moping in the street-cars, getting in after dark" (Chopin 110). This misinterpretation of Edna's behavior is ironic because she has never been as confident in herself as she is now. She has discovered that she would rather spend time on her art since "she felt in it satisfaction of a kind which no other employment afforded her" (Chopin 22). Thus, painting ceases to be a hobby for her and becomes, instead, a form of true expression.
The love and passion that Edna has had to keep dormant for so long emerges through her.
association with Robert and Alcee Arobin, giving her a third form of self-expression that she.
Edna's Victorious End In Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening, Edna Pontellier begins a journey of self-discovery. ... In actuality, Edna's suicide becomes a victorious ending for Edna. ... Edna cannot fall asleep again. ... Later, Edna goes on a swim. ... While sleeping, Edna is at peace. ...
Before her transformation, Edna is very poised and controlled. ... [Edna] wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before."" ... "Another time, [Edna] would have gone in at his request. ... At their departure, Edna becomes emotional and even cries. ... Edna no longer submits to or works for anybody but herself; ...
In the novel, The Awakening, Edna Pontellier goes through many changes. ... On Grand Isle, Edna acts how a wife is expected to act. ... Léonce still shows his power over Edna by replying to Edna asking him if he is coming in by saying "Yes, dear just as soon as I have finished my cigar.""... When Robert and Edna go to Madame Antoine's house, Edna begins to awaken even more. ... By doing this, Edna further separates herself from Leonce. ...
Edna responds, "I don't wish to go in, and I don't intend to. ... In search of direction for her life Edna seeks guidance from Mademoiselle Reisz. ... Edna leaves hastily after receiving Mademoiselle Reisz's address. ... Edna's exploration of her sexual desires begins with Arobin, and ends with Robert. ... Edna realizes that her actions will directly affect how society views her children. ...
Edna's second awakening began when the man by the name Robert asks Edna if she would like to go for a bath before dinner. ... That was the end of Edna Pontellier. ... Alcee becomes intimate with Edna. Though occasionally crude, Alcee attracts Edna. ... All of Edna's actions were not unintentional. ...
One of the novel's minor characters, Adele Ratignolle, serves as a foil to Edna, illustrating all the qualities of the ideal nineteenth century housewife which Edna refuses to adopt. ... In comparison, Edna, though admitting Mr. ... This is one way in which Edna strays from the perfect housewife image that Adele embodies. ... As the author points out, Edna is not a mother-woman. ... Edna declares, "I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself" (47). ...
By using clothing imagery and the change in Edna's sleeping patterns though out the novel, Chopin shows how Edna changes and grows until she accomplishes her final goal. ... Edna's episode with Léonce marks the start of Edna's strange sleeping habits. ... Robert, in turn, leads Edna to Madame Antoine's home to rest. ... At the dinner, Edna is wearing a spectacular gown that is described to be the color of Edna's flesh without the glow. ... After the party, Edna and Alca©e consummate their illicit relationship, indicating a full removal of Edna's garmen...
In chapter six, Edna is awakened as to the true circumstances of her life. ... Nevertheless, Edna is determined to fight for her autonomy. ... This time, however, Edna expressed to Mr. ... Again in chapter seventeen, Edna rebels against her husband. ... It is with Robert and Arobin, not her husband, that Edna finds this. ...
Hester is a beautiful and elegant women and Edna is "handsome" in a manly way. ... Hester lived in the Puritan culture and Edna lived in the Creole culture. ... Edna does not love Leonce, and she struggles with that fact in the beginning of the novel, though Edna does love Robert and has an emotional affair with him and she has a physical affair with Arobin. Edna experiments with love in order to find her true individuality. ... Both Edna and Hester faced the same problem, they needed their independence. ...
