The Awakening Debriefing Project Chapter XXXIII

1. The Awakening Debriefing Project Chapter XXXIII Anthony Browning, Madeline Guzman, Victoria Louison, Noriyo Onishi, Christian Pantaleon

2. Motifs • House • The house each reflects the owner’s personality. MadamoiselleReisz’s house is a symbol of her reclusive and orderly life and Edna’s pigeon house is a reflection of her present child like recklessness. • Relationship • The strength of the relationship is displayed as Edna thinks about how amazing it is going to be when Robert returns and then is disappointed when she sees that Robert did not come to see her as soon as he returned. It is revealed that Robert does not feel as strongly about her as she does for him. But then Robert seems to be jealous or at least a little concerned about Edna having a picture of Alcee Arobin.

3. Symbols • Piano • Since in this chapter you see how Edna is choosing the music to play for the guests while at the house it shows that she has a little control and influence over the choices she can make. • Aria • “[Edna] was growing interested in her occupation of picking out the aria” (104). • Since mostly throughout the book we see that Edna’s life has mostly revolved around her supporting her kids and husband she enjoys every bit of freedom there is. • Aria is usually solo performance, which shows that Edna is becoming more independent.

4. Symbol • Picture of Alcee • Robert finds the picture of Alcee in the pigeon house * He finds it on the messy table. Because Edna is not with her family, she no longer cares about cleaning or taking care of the house. • Edna tells Robert that she was trying to sketch Alcee’s head. *Edna may want to show that she is controlling Alcee’s mind.

5. Tone • Haughty – Edna believes that she is a better woman compared to her friends, she takes their advice almost amusedly just to please them. She acts almost as if she thinks that she is better than them at this point because she is exploring a freedom they will never experience. • Playful (Flirty) – Robert awakens feelings within her so she starts acting a certain way in order to show Robert that she is willing despite being a married woman • Indifferent – Edna is seen to be indifferent to gossip about herself and who she associates with, while her friends worry, she doesn’t care because she wants to rebel true womanhood.

6. Point of View • Third person limited • Omniscient from Edna’s point of view

7. Setting • Mademoiselle Reisz’s house • She symbolizes New Woman * is not married * pursues her career as a pianist • Edna entering to New Woman’s house * Entering to New Womanhood • Edna is desperate to know about Robert * Edna meets Robert and goes to the “pigeon house.”

8. Setting con’t • The Pigeon House • Edna lives alone * Lacks dedication to home, husband and family * Leaves the True Womanhood • Edna invites Robert to her private home * Shows her desire * May not be sexual innocence like the True Woman • Edna is independent from her family * However, women are objectified by patriarchal society and are not viewed as independent * So Edna might not be fully independent (?)

9. Edna’s disposition • Lonely but she does not purposely keep to herself like MadamoiselleRiesz • Generally unhappy with her life • Indifferent • Anxious • Grows doubts in Robert’s love for her

10. Edna’s relationship to other characters • With Robert • doubts in Robert’s love for her • Acts more indifferently towards people who actually care about her such as Robert • Not showing the same admiration that she used to show to Robert * has a sketch of Alcee * repeats everything Robert says word for word almost as if she doesn’t care about what he’s saying anymore, which is unusual because Edna always seems enthralled by Robert’s conversations

11. Edna’s relationship to other characters con’t • With MadamoiselleReisz • MadamoiselleReisz and Edna are fond of each other * Edna knows the location of the spare key • MadamoiselleReisz influences Edna to become a New Woman * MadamoiselleReisz shows Edna passion towards music and independence that woman can potentially have

12. Quotation and Analysis Madeline: • Pg. 103 Madame Ratignolle: • "In some way you seem to me like a child, Edna. You seem to act without a certain amount of reflection which is necessary in this life.“ • This passage shows that Edna's supposed friends are oblivious to her transformation from the true woman to new woman. They only realize that she seems different somehow but have no idea to what is really happening within her.

13. Quotation and Analysis con’t Victoria: • pg 105 paragraph 5 “She had pictured him seeking her at the very first hour, and he had lived under the same sky since day before yesterday; while only by accident had he stumbled upon her.” • Edna missed Robert’s company and she believed that he had the same feelings for her. She was completely surprised to see that Robert did not come see her as soon as he came back. The vision of a relationship with Robert that Edna had in her mind was not going to become a reality.

14. Quotation and Analysis con’t Anthony: • "Day before yesterday!" she repeated aloud; and went on thinking to herself, "day before yesterday," in a sort of an uncomprehending way. She had pictured seeking her at the very first hour, and he had lived under the same sky since day before yesterday;"....... • Music represents self expression for Edna and allows her to show her influx of feelings throughout the story. Also we see later in the story that her emotional growth has sparked from her playing of the piano since she is able to hear what the music is saying to her.

15. Quotation and Analysis Con’t Noriyo: • “Part of the distance they rode in the car, and after disembarking, passed the Pontellier mansion, which looked broken and half torn asunder” (106). Broken and half torn house • Shows that unlike the True Woman, Edna does not take care of the house as a mother nor as a homemaker. • Edna’s life is falling apart as well. • Becomes indifferent towards domesticity, which she used to care. • Passing the Pontellier mansion suggests that Edna passed the True Womanhood phase.

16. Quotation and AnalysisCon’t Christian: • " 'I never knew you in your own home', he remarked. • 'I am glad you did not.' • 'Why?' She did not answer. They went on around the corner, and it seemed as if her dreams were coming true after all, when he followed her into the little house." • -Robert and Edna, Page 106-107 • This quote shows Edna's transformation from a true woman to a new woman. True women are characterized by their domestic duties while new women attempt to stray away from the restrictions of society. People are beginning to know her as a new woman, as seen by Robert saying that he doesn't know her in her home. Edna is pleased with her newfound independence.