Books - Kate Chopin ~ The Awakening

Xbel · 11-17-2006, 06:18 AM

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

Has anyone studied this/is studying it in High School/College?
How did you like it?
Can you relate to Edna, or do you think she's just weird?

Xbel · 12-05-2006, 04:18 PM

Anyone?

janelle188 · 12-06-2006, 07:42 PM

I did read this, actually and I absolutely loved it. While I can't relate to Edna in any way (I think that the world in which we now live prevents that relation) I completely felt sympathy for her. . . to a degree. I think that, while her intentions were good toward the beginning, when she first moved out of her husbands house, I wasn't sure about where she let herself go. The move was made to save her own soul initially. . . at least, in my belief. I think her relationship with Alcee was just a game, to see how far she would actually let herself go. Almost a dare that she had with herself. In the end, the man she really loved just wasn't strong enough to make the leap with her and the game she was playing wasn't worth continuing. But it wasn't something that she could come back from. Maybe she could have socially, maybe. . . .I think there would have definitely been consequences but I think her husband would have brought her home. I just don't think she would have been able to do it. I think it would have killed her. So, rather than prolonging that outcome, she jumped forward a few chapters and did it the easy way.

In other words, though I loved the book, ulitmately all the characters were weak and unwilling to deal with the decisions they made.

Xbel · 12-09-2006, 07:52 AM

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Originally Posted by janelle188 (View Post)

I did read this, actually and I absolutely loved it.

Someone who knows it!

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While I can't relate to Edna in any way (I think that the world in which we now live prevents that relation)

So well said.

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I completely felt sympathy for her. . . to a degree. I think that, while her intentions were good toward the beginning, when she first moved out of her husbands house, I wasn't sure about where she let herself go. The move was made to save her own soul initially. . . at least, in my belief. I think her relationship with Alcee was just a game, to see how far she would actually let herself go. Almost a dare that she had with herself.

Wow, that (about Alcee) never occured to me. Good thinking.

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In the end, the man she really loved just wasn't strong enough to make the leap with her and the game she was playing wasn't worth continuing.

I don't think she was playing a game with him. And our English Lit teacher suggested he left because he loved her more than she loved him, and he knew she might have to go back to her husband, and she will never be completely free. I'd have to look in my notes again. i'll let you kniow.

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But it wasn't something that she could come back from. Maybe she could have socially, maybe. . . .I think there would have definitely been consequences but I think her husband would have brought her home. I just don't think she would have been able to do it. I think it would have killed her. So, rather than prolonging that outcome, she jumped forward a few chapters and did it the easy way.

Yeah, for her killing herself was maybe the easier way. Do you think so?

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In other words, though I loved the book, ulitmately all the characters were weak and unwilling to deal with the decisions they made.

In my English Lit class, I never dare to say something like that, 'cause everyone's so in awe of the book, so I wouldn't just shout "It's crap"

Because they would have better arguments against my opinion!

It's genius writing and Kate Chopin was way ahead of her time and avantgarde. But it's very heavy to read, I think. And a little depressing.

janelle188 · 12-09-2006, 09:41 AM

I'm in no way saying it's crap. . . not at all. I think it's a great book. I think the characters are weak. Not weakly written. . . . just weak themselves. It's the reason Edna kills herself, it's the reason Robert leaves, it's the reason Edna's husband doesn't do everything he can to get her back. They were just weak.

Also, I didn't mean that Edna was playing a game with Robert. I meant that everything else that extended past Robert was alsmost a game with herself. Once the serious aspect of the reason she left (Robert) wasn't going to stay with her, the game that extended beyond it wasn't worth it. Without Robert, all that was left was this dare (could she do it) and she wasn't content to stay with just that. Robert had been the main motivation.

Kathryn_Ann · 12-10-2006, 12:26 PM

I will always have a special place in my heart for this book. I absolutely LOVED it. I read it my senior year (which was last year) in my AP Lit class. Its been a awhile since ive read it so i dont think i can give a proper analysis of it, but it is one of my favorite books!

I think during that time period, you are pretty much stuck being who yo are because there wasnt as much liberality as there is today. Edna was like a caged bird who wanted to escape so badly. I really felt for her and her situation.

***Yellow Mustang Girl*** · 12-17-2006, 08:51 PM

I've read the book and liked it.

I think Edna is in a sad situation; she feels trapped and like just a piece of property. And she doesn't feel like a good mother.

I can't necessarily relate to her, but I guess I can somewhat empathize with her.

girl in a cardigan · 07-12-2007, 09:10 PM

I remember reading this in 11th grade English (which was longer ago than I would like to admit). I remember loving it more than almost anything else we read all year, but I'm embarrassed to say that I don't really remember what it was about now. I guess I need to re-read it