Houses as Motif: Kate Chopins the Awakening

Houses as Motifs in Kate Chopins The awakening Linda Catte Dr. Kathryn Warren ENGL 2329 American Literature March 22, 2012 (KateChopin. org. ) (Krantzs molar concentration Isle Hotel Picture of pic by Tracy Warhart Plaisance) (Reflechir Vol. 1. Les images stilbesterol prairies tremblantes 1840-1940 by Cheniere Hurricane Centennial Committee) It is non new or unique that an individual is tone for unmatchables purpose and signification in life. Nor is it unique that men and women imitate the norms of association. In Kate Chopins novella, The Awakening, Edna Pontellier, the antagonist, knocked against the social norms of the late 1800s.Houses represent Ednas seem for her inner self. The hearths which Chopin uses in The Awakening come in pairs which tell apart each early(a). Chopin uses the bird cage and the bath- sept to exemplify imprisonment and exemption. The house on Grand Isle and the polished house on the Cheniere Island represent restlessness and aw arness. The gra nd house on Esplanade pathway in sweet Orleans and the humiliated house located meet around the corner demonstrate task and control in contrast with renouncedom and independence. separately house brings to light different sides of Ednas record as she oceanrches for her inner soul and finds new awakenings along the way.As various houses are presented by Chopin, each will provide insight into Ednas search for meaning in her life. In order to better understand Ednas state of header as Chopin begins The Awakening, the norms of connection needs an explanation. Mr. Leonce Pontellier demonstrates characteristics of a save who fits the societal norm of 1899 when The Awakening (Chopin) was written. Behaviors by Leonce are displayed in the orifice chapter of Chopins novella. at that place are bird cages with a talking repeat and a singing mockingbird, hanging on the porch of the main house at Grand Isle. Mr.Pontellier, unable to read his newspaper with whatever degree of comfo rt, arose with an looking at and an exclamation of disgust. (Chopin, ch. 1) Leonce had the freedom to walk away from an irritation and find soothe elsewhere. Mr. Pontellier had the privilege of quitting their society when they ceased to be entertaining. (Chopin, ch. 1) The bird cage represents imprisonment, the birds represents how individuals in society mimic what is repeated over and over. Although eery word is non every bit understood and interpreted by all, the words still subscribe a meaning. (http//office. microsoft. com/en-us/images)Edna and Leonce were interpreting different meanings from what society expected. Edna had the burden of imprisonment because of the societal norm. Leonce had flexibility and freedom. He was a employment serviceman with a wife and family that was expected to act in such a manner that would exhibit appearances of a prim conglutination and family. An illustration of Leonces attitude is revealed in Chapter One of Chopins book, a few speci fic examples are, looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property , maybe he would retrovert for the early dinner and perhaps he would not. and If it was not a mothers place to look subsequently children, whose on earth was it? He himself had his hands full with his brokerage business. Leonce viewed himself as important, the roles of society were rigid and fixed in his eyeball, and acceptedly to his advantage. (http//office. microsoft. com/en-us/images) Edna did not have the freedom to detach herself as her hubby did from un wanted annoyances. Her escape to the bath-house provided as oftentimes freedom as Edna could possess at the time. had no intention of washup they had just strolled d stimulate to the beach for a walk and to be completely and near the water. (Chopin, ch. 7) Lounging at the bath-house on the beach with her consort, Madame Ratignolle, is when Edna realized realities about(predicate) her marriage and children. Her life was now m anywhat predetermined because of her own rash ratiocination to marry Leonce out of rebellion against her father and sister Margaret. Add to this the raging opposition of her father and her sister Margaret to her marriage with a Catholic, and we need taste no further for the motives which led her to accept Monsieur Pontellier for her husband. (Chopin, ch. ) She desired passion as expressed in her daydreams prior to marriage, It was when the face and figure of a expectant tragedian began to haunt her imagination and stir her senses. The persistence of the infatuation lent it an aspect of genuineness. The hopelessness of it colored it with the lofty tones of a great passion. (Chopin, ch. 7) But she had no passion in her life. As the devoted wife of a man who worshiped her, she felt she would take her place with a certain dignity in the world of reality, closing the portals forever behind her upon the realm of romance and dreams. (Chopin, ch. 7) (http//office. icrosoft. com/en-u s/images) matrimony did not bring fulfillment or gaiety to Ednas life, nor did be a mother. She would virtuallytimes gather them passionately to her heart she would more or lesstimes leave alone them. (Chopin, ch. 7) When her children were away with their grandmother, they were not look out oned by their mother. Their absence was a mien of relief, though she did not admit this, even to herself. It seemed to free her of a tariff which she had blindly assumed and for which Fate had not fitted her. (Chopin, ch. 7) What mother forgets her children and does not miss them when they are gone?Edna was searching for meaning in her life, she wanted happiness. (http//office. microsoft. com/en-us/images) (http//www. loyno. edu/kchopin/Album10. html) vacation at the house on Grand Isle is where Ednas dissatisfaction with her own life is brought to the readers attention by Chopin. An indescribable oppression, which seemed to kick in in some unacquainted(predicate) part of her conscio usness, filled her whole macrocosm with a vague anguish. It was worry a shadow, like a haze over passing across her souls summer day. It was strange and unfamiliar it was a mood. (Chopin, ch. ) Leonces role as a husband was unchanging, her husbands kindness and a uniform devotion which had come to be tacit and self-understood. (Chopin, ch. 1) Spending her summer vacation with the Creoles opened Ednas eyes to a whole new society. A characteristic which distinguished them and which affect Mrs. Pontellier most forcibly was their entire absence of prudery. (Chopin, ch. 4) Edna had been raised in a strict religious Presbyterian home by her father. (Chopin, ch. 22) Ednas new acquaintances ruttish new estimations, there was an inner conflict inwardly her.Unspoken expectations were present for societal norms to be followed for a devoted wife and mother, those like her new friend Adele Ratignolle. Edna longed to be her own person, depart from what is expected of her and discover what or who makes her happy. As more and more of Ednas days were spent together with other new friend, Robert, she missed him when he was not around. She missed him the days when some pretext served to take him away from her, just as one misses the lie on a cloudy day without having thought much about the sun when it was shining. (Chopin, ch. 0) Mademoiselle Reisz impacted Edna, it started when she heard her play the flaccid at the grand party in the main house on Grand Isle. Edna was what she herself called very fond of music. (Chopin, ch. 9) As she heard the chords, she would envision in her mind what each piece of music was saying to her. But with Mademoiselle Reisz, it was different. Her activated response was something she had neer undergo. The very first chords which Mademoiselle Reisz struck upon the piano sent a keen tremor down Mrs. Pontelliers spinal column. (Chopin, ch. 9) It was the exact emotion in which she was searching. But the very passions themselves were aro used within her soul, swaying it, lashing it, as the waves daily beat upon her splendid body. (Chopin, ch. 9) It was that night Edna lettered to swim it was that night she did not do exactly what her husband asks of her. (Chopin, ch. 10) It was the house on Grand Isle that first wake up Edna to new thoughts and feelings. (http//www. loyno. edu/kchopin/cheniere. htm) The coterminous morning, Edna and Robert went to Cheniere Island. Ednas behavior and attitude began to transform. She took footprints of boldness by displace for Robert to go with her to Cheniere. She had never sent for him before. (Chopin, ch. 12) On the boat ride to the island, Edna felt a sense of freedom, felt as if she were being borne away from some anchorage which had held her fast, whose chains had been loosening- (Chopin, ch. 12) She began to daydream of a life where she was alone with Robert. She share this imagined world with him as her flirtation intensified. (Chopin, ch. 12) When they disturbed the island, they fulfilled the intended purpose of the journey by attending mass at Our Lady of Lourdes. The freedom Edna had experienced on the boat ride was stripped from her as she sat in the church. her one thought was to quit the stifling atmosphere of the church and reach the open air. (Chopin, ch. 13) It was at this time that Robert took Edna to a small house on the island where she naps and discovers another facet of herself. Once she awakens, she and Robert have dinner outside the small house, the evening approaches, they do not want the day to end. It was very good-natured to stay there under the orange trees, era the sun douse lower and lower. (Chopin, ch. 13) Upon their return from Cheniere Island, Edna separates herself so that she can be alone to consult her escape.The escape to the little house that gave her a taste of peace and meatment. She could besides realize that she herself-her present self-was in some way different from the other self. (Chopin, ch. 13) (h ttp//office. microsoft. com/en-us/images) Upon return to the grand house on Esplanade Street in New Orleans, Edna brought with her disappointment and heartache. She had not planned on Roberts sudden passing play to Mexico. As her life was becoming more self absorbed, she wanted Robert to hold on part of her life. She was aware of her infatuation with him and reacted emotionally to his absence. she had lost that which she had held, that she had been denied that which her impassioned, newly awakened being demanded. (Chopin, ch. 15) Being home in the grand house where Leonce displays his possessions with such pride, unexpended Edna feeling trapped and imprisoned. Her summer experience changed how she wanted to rest her life. When Leonce was ready for life to be back just like it was before, Edna displayed behaviors of rebellion. She was not going to receive visitors on Tuesday afternoons any longer, she was not going to bring down as expected for dinner, and she was not going to lead her life controlled by her husband. Chopin, ch. 17) bb (katechopin. org) Leonce was appalled at Ednas sudden change in behavior. There were societal norms that were important to Leonce. He did not want their friends to think they did not behave properly. volume dont do such things weve got to find out les convenances if we expect to get on and keep up with the procession. (Chopin, ch. 17) The Esplanade house represents confinement and control over Edna. With her new ready awakenings, she had no desire to return to the ways of her old life. She resolved never to take another step backward. (Chopin, ch. 7) Her thoughts remained with Robert. She had tried to forget him, realizing the inutility of remembering. But the thought of him was like an obsession, ever pressing itself upon her. (Chopin, ch. 13) (katechopin. org) Edna moved forward with confidence but still did not find the independence she was desiring. Leonce undercoat her behavior odd, shes not like herself. (Chop in, ch. 22) Her whole attitudetoward me and everybody and everything-has changed. (Chopin, ch. 22) Leonce had concerns about his wife but leftfield her alone upon the advice of reinstate Mandelet. He moved forward with his own (katechopin. rg) life and took a business trip to New York. Edna thought she might miss him , but found a radiant peace settled upon her when she at last found herself alone. (Chopin, ch. 24) Her children were in Iberville with their grandmother. But this peace was short lived. She still did not have Robert. She looked to activities and relationships to find fulfillment in her life. But none provided the contentment and satisfaction she desired. (Chopin, ch. 25) While Leonce was away, Edna made a spontaneous and rash decision , while on a visit with Mademoiselle Reisz, to move into her own house. (Chopin, ch. 6) The small house was located just around the corner from their home on Esplanade Street. It looks so cozy, so inviting and restfulIm tired looking after that big house. It never seemed like mine, anyway-like home. (Chopin, ch. 26) It was this small house where Edna was certain she would find peace and happiness. She would find what this cozy house represents, freedom and independence. (Chopin, ch. 26) Each house Chopin uses as a motif brings to light different aspects of Ednas personality as she searches for her inner soul. Each house brings new awakenings for Edna along the way.Each house represents her search for meaning in life. No longer was she content to feed upon opinion when her own soul had invited her. (Chopin, ch. 32) But Edna was unable to requite her soul. She wanted more than anyone or anything could give her. She wanted passion, she wanted Robert. When Robert left for Mexico, it was out of his love and respect for Edna that he could not stay. When he left the small house, it was, again, out of his love and respect for Edna that he must leave. It was Adele Ratignolle who reminded Robert in the beginning of Th e Awakening (Chopin) of his behavior as a gentleman. If your attentions to any unify women here were ever offered with any intention of being convincing, you would not be the gentleman we all know you to be, and you would be unfit to associate with the wives and daughters of the people who trust you. (Chopin, ch. 1) Edna did not have the wisdom to understand Roberts rejection of her. She lived selfishly. Conditions would some way adjust themselves, she felt but whatever came, she had resolved never again to belong to another than herself. (Chopin, ch. 26) This statement confirms that Ednas soul would not be found with Robert. She was aware of her own emptiness. There came over her the knowing longing which always summoned into her spiritual vision the presence of the beloved one, vanquish her at once with a sense of unattainable. (Chopin, ch. 30) (http//office. microsoft. com/en-us/images) The emptiness Edna experienced after Roberts departure left her hopeless. Despondency ha d come upon her there in the wakeful night, and had never lifted. There was no human being whom she wanted near her except Robert and she even realized that the day would come when he, too, and the thought of him would melt out of her existence, leaving her alone. (Chopin, ch. 39) It was when Edna stood before the ocean that she knew her future. The voice of the sea is seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander in abysses of solitude. (Chopin, ch. 39) The single answer to free Ednas soul was to enter the sea. Freedom would come only in death. There was no turning back to the empty life which only brought despair, heartache and loneliness. The true love, passion, and happiness she envisioned for her life had escaped her. Robert brought a glimpse of the future Edna had envisioned.But that future was not for Edna. In the ocean, naked and without any confinement around her , was she was able to find home. (http//office. microsoft. com/en-us /images) Citations Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. 1899. www. amazon. com/Kindle-eReader-eBook Retrieved on January 14, 2011. http//www. katechopin. org http//office. microsoft. com/en-us/images http//www. loyno. edu/kchopin/Album10. html Reflechir Vol. 1. Les images des prairies tremblantes 1840-1940 by Cheniere Hurricane Centennial Committee.