Tuesday, October 29, 2013

In The Awakening, what examples can you give of Edna living the duality of inwardly questioning and outward conforming?

This quote captures one of the central themes of the
novel.  At the start of the novel we see several situations where Edna is outwardly
conforming to the expectations of Creole society.  She tries hard to play the role of
good mother and devoted wife.  She takes care of the children; she smiles dutifully at
her husband; she fulfills her social obligations.  But, even after chapter 1, it is
clear that Edna is consumed with inward questioning.  She is annoyed by her children;
she doesn't understand the 'mother-wife' role; she doesn't care if she gets suntanned;
she decides to ignore Leonce's command to come to bed.  By the time she has returned to
New Orleans, she is full rebellion mode.  She questions her marriage and her
responsibilities to her family.  She chooses to spend time away from the children,
especially with Madame Reisz, whom she admires for the way the woman has been able to
live her life on her own terms.  Edna has a romantic attachment to Robert and an actual
affair with Arobin.  She leaves Leonce's house; she lives completely for herself.  Her
questioning of her life and her choices is most frequently seen in her interactions of
Reisz.  She is able to talk with her about the things that really matter to her: art,
music, life, and Robert.  In the end, when she realizes that she can't have the life she
really wants, she ends the duality of her situation by letting herself swim out too far
and drowning herself.

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