Chopin is famous for her strength in writing characters. You may not like them, you may not agree with them, but they are beautifully drawn through well-chosen actions and spot-on dialogue. Although many assume Chopin had a feminist agenda in writing The Awakening, she always denied any such ideas. She said that all of these characters existed in her head, and she just wrote what happened when she put them all together.
Look at the character of Edna. How would you describe her in these early chapters? What details did Chopin provide that lead you to describe Edna this way? (List at least three details.) How is her primary foil, Mrs. Ratignolle, different or similar?
After you post the answers to the above questions, please respond to another student, expanding on a point they made. (Do not just compliment them on their ideas-- add something to the conversation.)
Throughout these early chapters, Chopin characterizes Edna as the main protagonist who, while being marriage to Le`once Pontellier, finds her love and attractions to be focused elsewhere. The nature of Edna's relationship with Le`once and Robert is established in the first chapter. Le`once, noting his wife's sunburn, expresses not concern for her potential discomfort but instead regards her "as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property that has suffered some damage." This quote provides evidence that Edna acts as a 'doll' to her husband. Her actions resemble that of an object/acquaintance rather than a wife. In chapter 2, Chopin thoroughly describes Edna's physical descriptions which provide insight into her character: "Her face was captivating by reason of a certain frankness of expression and a contradictory subtle play of features." Contradiction and frankness underlie her imminent rejection of the society that she comes to feel is imprisoning her. In the upcoming chapter (5),Chopin continues to reveal Edna's character in respect to her susceptibility to sensuality that is inevitably linked to romance.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Ratignolle is introduced in chapter 4 as the embodiment of the "mother-women". Edna is often surprised by the topics of conversation that Mrs. Ratignolle allows for. The key development in this chapter is the distinction Chopin makes between Edna and the mother-women, those who " esteemed it a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels." Chopin clearly differentiates these two characters from each other. Despite these characters' philosophical differences, Mrs. Ratignolle enjoys Edna's company because of her diversion amongst the women.
It also is interesting how Mrs. Ratignolle and Edna are complete opposites. Edna is Presbyterian; Mrs. Ratignolle is Catholic. Edna is unconcerned with her children; Mrs. Ratignolle is the "perfect" mother. Etc. It was as if Chopin didn't want them to be similar except for that they are both mothers and women.
DeleteYes, it is interesting how the two women, who are so close, are yet so far from each other in personality. Maybe Chopin was making an "opposites attract" relationship because Mrs. Ratignolle has a completely different personality than Edna, as well as different cares and needs.
DeleteYes like a lot of people say that opposites attract so that may be the case with Edna and Mrs. Ratignolle.
DeleteIn the beginning, the protagonist character of The Awakening, Edna Ponteillier, is characterized as unhappy and trying to find her way in a marriage where there is not enough love. The love is unapparent from both ends. Her husband views her as a beautiful possession, and Edna does not with to spend time with her husband and picks the company of Robert instead. Edna is a very reserved person, who falls in love unequivocally. Before marrying her husband, Edna was in love with an stranger who remains anonymous, but settled for Mr. Pontellier. Edna also is shown as being a mother who is just playing her part. While the children were on holiday, Edna barely missed them. Her husband also remarks that she is no where near as attentive to him and the children as she should be.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Ratignolle is the opposite of Edna. She is incredibly loving to her husband and children, and does not like to leave her husband alone. They are different in religion and philosophy. Mrs. Ratignolle would give up anything for her husband and children, even herself, while Edna admits she would not. Also Ratignolle, along with the others on the Grand Isle, is a Creole Catholic who are very open and warm. Edna is a Presbyterian and is reserved and does not appreciate physical touch.
Bailey~
DeleteAll of your above commentary on Edna, in your first paragraph, reveals the true character of Edna and her heart motives throughout the novel. As the novel progresses, she becomes more self-focused, barely noticing her children or husband anymore. This self-focused attitude also plays into your thoughts regarding the differences seen between Mrs. Ratignolle and Edna. Mrs. Ratignolle resembles that of a humble wife that desires to lay down her life for her family, while Edna wants nothing to do with her family matters.
Your analysis of the differences between Edna and Mrs. Ratignolle is very thoughtful, especially the topic of the differences in religions and how that extends into their personal character. It is a verification of the theory that opposites attract, and it shows a true friendship that her and Edna get along so well despite these differences.
DeleteI liked your analysis and commentary between Edna and Mrs. Ratignoile. It seems like you were very thoughtful and had a really good concept of what the question was asking. You were able to prove your point when you mentioned that opposites attract.
DeleteIn the beginning of The Awakening, Chopin introduces the protagonist of the novel, Edna. We learn that she is not very happy and has been struggling through her marriage. The love in between her and her husband has faded away and Edna spends lots of time with her friend Robert. Edna is pretty quiet and keeps to herself most of the time. She is a mother, but does not care about her children much, and they are not her first priority.
ReplyDeleteEdna's close friend, Mrs. Ratignolle is not much like Edna at all. She loves her children and husband very much, and enjoys their company. The two women are very different and when they talk to each other, Mrs. Ratignolle says she would sacrifice anything for her husband and children, and Edna disagrees and says she would not. Ratignolle may express her love and kindness differently than Edna.There are several examples of why these close friends are different, but this is what makes people their own unique character.
Edna is the protagonist in The Awakening. This being so, a lot is revealed about her through the beginning of the novel. She is basically physically appealing, with a nice face, and her husband certainly finds her attractive. Unfortunately, this is almost all her husband sees her as. In his eyes, she is more a material possession than the love of his life and mother of his children. He refers to her as "his wife" rather than using her name, which is a very unemotional and loveless thing to do. She also seems to return the loveless attitude toward her husband as she too calls him "her husband" and does not necessarily speak highly of him, though does not speak down on him either. She can be viewed as a more serious than playful person, as she fears having too much interaction with Robert and is often shocked with Mrs. Ratignolle's stories and actions.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Ratignolle is a contrast to Edna, as she loves her husband dearly and speaks highly of him. She is a bit more carefree and playful, close friends with Robert and very teasing. She is a good friend for Edna to have because she can open her eyes and bring her new excitements.
Very good points, I really liked how you explained Edna's relationship with her husband; there seems to be a very unemotional relationship between them, with really nothing positive or negative out rightly spoken or done - it is the lack of anything though that speaks of how unhealthy their relationship really is. I think this will be a major theme in the story, form the obvious direction of her relationship with Robert I think part of the blame will be laid at her husbands feet for the many discrepancies in their relationship.
DeleteEdna is characterized as being an strong, angled type of woman who is fir in her beliefs and stubborn when she does not get her way. In the early chapters of the novel, Edna spends most of her time with either Robert or his mother, and this characterizes her as the kind of person who enjoys the company of those close to her, perhaps not too fond of those who aren't. Edna seems fleeting and somewhat whimsical and dramatic as well, what with her excitement of learning to swim and her antics whilst sitting out on the porch with her husband (which is another instance of her stubbornness). Edna is the type to bore easily and tire quickly, which accounts for why she is so impatient and indifferent about her children. Mrs. Ratignolle on the other hand is very much the feminine ideal of the time, a complete opposite to Edna. However, the two are undoubtedly close friends regardless of how they lead their lives. Edna is a very reserved woman, and Mrs. Ratignolle is very open about her desires and demands.
ReplyDeleteI like your observation that Edna is easily bored and tired and therefore does not seem to care for her children. I did not realize that. So, by that logic, I can say that Edna is bored by her children. This makes sense in the light that when the children go away later in the book, Edna hardly thinks of them. Edna is so self-focused that she is disinterested with her own children. It is because of this self-focus that she eventually kills herself.
DeleteIn these first few chapters Edna is strongly characterized as a very complex protagonist that is somewhat hardened and stands out among her Creole neighbors. The most defining part of her is the apparent strain in her relationship with her husband; upon his first sighting of her the author says the he views her sunburn as "damage" to his possession. Later in the evening he purposefully attacks her mothering out of a rude attempt to rouse her in the evening. Most of her interactions with Le'once begin to show that she is very hardened and detached from him, it is upon the same night that he wakes herat she is put in wonderment over a sudden flow of tears that catch her off guard. Secondly important to her characterization is her relationship with Robert and the awakening of sorts that begins to take place while spending increased amounts of time with him. It is clearly made known that she is not a Creole by birth, but by marriage and has made a solid adjustment to their culture, but remains separate in a few ways, such as in treatment of her children. She is projected as having a more aloof attitude, that she is not given to dote on them every minute but encourages a level of independence. Her beauty is not striking like that of Mrs. Ratignolle, but she captivates by her strength and a functionality that is realistic. Her virtues are not like a flashing sign that call out to every passerby, her value could easily be overlooked by those who don't care to look closely, but when someone does they find someone of surprising ability.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter two, when Edna is introduced, she is described as a very distant individual. When her husband and her talk, she "talked a little about herself" while her husband talks a "good deal about himself" (Ch. 2). This shows the reader that Edna is not a very open person.
ReplyDeleteIn the next chapter, it is revealed that Edna fails to look after her children. Mr. Pontellier "reproached his wife with her inattention, her habitual neglect of the children" (Ch. 3). In chapter four, it is plainly stated: "Mrs. Pontellier was not a mother woman." In this regard, Adele Ratignolle is her foil. When speaking of the women who were "mother-women," the narrator says, "Many of them were delicious in the role; one of them was the embodiment of every womanly grace and charm...Her name was Adele Ratignolle" (Ch. 4). Mrs. Ratignolle is the opposite of Mrs. Pontellier when it comes to being a mother-woman.
Another thing that can be noted about Edna is that she is a perfectionist. When she attempts to sketch Mrs. Ratignolle and fails, while creating "a fair enough piece of work," Edna covers up and crumples the drawing (Ch. 5).
Also, Edna is not used to affection from others. When Mrs. Ratignolle touches Edna's hand, it is revealed that Edna "was not accustomed to an outward and spoken expression of affection (Ch. 7). Through this revelation, Mrs. Ratigolle contrasts her as it appears she is used to affection.
Throughout these chapters, it is clear that Edna Pontellier is withdrawn and disconnected from others. Her contrast, Mrs. Ratignolle differs from her as she seems to be close to her children and her friends.
The quotes really do point out nice evidence to your points. I agree that Edna becomes rather distant, as she is unsatisfied with her marriage. I also find interesting how Mrs. Ratignolle is more used to affection than Edna.
DeleteEdna, in the beginning of the story, doesn't really think that anything is wrong. Actually, she doesn't really think much, really, as most Victorian-era women find themselves not really needing to think, as their general duties as a wife are rather simple. She is a romantic, though, with dreams of a wonderful romance that never really got fulfilled in her marriage. Throughout chapters 3-9, Edna finds herself unsatisfied with her husband, and her life in general.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Ratignolle, on the other hand, is the wife every Victorian man believes as their ideal. Devoted, light-headed, and enjoying performing her domestic duties. Unlike Edna, Mrs. Ratignolle does not change from this mindset, but she helps bring forth Edna's independence.
In the first few chapters, Edna is unhappy with her marriage, her personality is distant and tiresome, as if she wishes to be somewhere else. She doesn't appear to be very affectionate towards her husband or children, and seems equally uncomfortable with affection directed towards herself.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Ragnoile has a more loving side than Edna, she is loving to her husband and kids, and seems happy with her role as a mere housewife.
I agree. While they do they same tasks, their attitudes are different, which is ultimately the reason for her awakening.
DeleteEdna is the main protagonist. She is a distant individual. She is hardened and stands out among her neighbors. She seems tiresome and as if she wishes to be somewhere else. She dreams of romance that her marriage can never fulfill. She doesn't seem entirely content with her life.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Ragnoile enjoys life she is the opposite of Edna. She is loving towards her children and is happy with her marriage.
Edna is a woman who is looking for romance and love. She's not really close to her children or her husband. She doesn't seem really happy with her spouse. It seems as if she was only with him because, of her children. She seems a little distracted, and isn't completely happy with her life.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Ragnoile is very different to Edna's attitude. Edna is less loving and caring towards her family, and Mrs. Ragnolie Is more loving and attentive with her family. Mrs. Ragnoile is on the other side happy with her marriage.
In these early chapters, Edna discovers that she is not satisfied with her marriage, and she feels the first effects of her awakening as she talks with the creole women. She could be described as the same sort of woman before her awakening as the main character from A Doll's House, as a doll for her husband. we can see this in the way the husband treats her. He does not genuinely care for her as a person when she gets sunburned, and sends her back into the house while he stays outside, like sending a child to bed while the parent stays up. Another example is him sending the sweets back for her every week, as though just pampering a child. Mrs. Ratignolle is an excellent foil. She represents what every wife needs to be to their husband in that society, and how Edna acted before her awakening. The gap between them grows, and one by one, values Mrs. Ratignolle upholds like house work and caring for her children, Edna loses as she progresses.
ReplyDeleteChopin describes Edna in the beginning chapter as a very ordinary trapped housewife. She sets Edna in a wealthy household, as a beautiful wife. The reason
ReplyDeleteChopin adds Adele into the picture is to show the slight contrast between the two women. Though Edna is naive to the fact that she is "caged bird", it is shown in contrast to Adele that she doesn't find her pride and joy in things such as mothering and housework. Even when she cries alone outside that night, no one is there, she is set apart. This is the first major detail that Chopin uses to set Edna apart in the early chapters of the book.