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The awakening

The awakening. Kate Chopin. By: Kierra J. Otis . The author- Kate Chopin. Born February 8, 1850 in St. Louis, Missouri Grew up speaking French & English Father killed when she was 5 years old, allowed more maternal influence Married the French Oscar Chopin in 1870 Moved to Louisiana

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The awakening

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  1. The awakening Kate Chopin By: Kierra J. Otis

  2. The author- Kate Chopin • Born February 8, 1850 in St. Louis, Missouri • Grew up speaking French & English • Father killed when she was 5 years old, allowed more maternal influence • Married the French Oscar Chopin in 1870 • Moved to Louisiana • Had six children • Husband died when she was 32, never remarried • Immersed herself in writing novels and short stories while raising a family

  3. The time period- late 19th century, early 20th • Transformation from rural agricultural nation to urban industrial • “Labor Conflict” – 37,000 strikes • Innovative times – 36,000 patents issued • Over a 40-year period, 23.5 immigrants arrived • 95% of women still served as homemakers

  4. The novel – The Awakening • Published in 1899 • Story of protagonist Edna Pontellier’s awakening as a woman • Met with wide criticism for condoning adultery and disregard for womanly duties

  5. Themes • Women’s Search for Identity – Edna is trying to discover what she should do with her life without conforming to her husband, children, friends, or society • Women’s Revolt against Conformity – ties in with the first theme, she rebels against society’s ideas concerning marriage and motherhood • Womanly Experiences – a lot about marriage and motherhood, something widely unaccepted at the time, women weren’t supposed to talk about pregnancy/giving birth

  6. Symbols & Motifs • Art (Painting & Music) – freedom and failure • Birds – communication, or lack thereof • Food – symbolic meals, (Chapter 30- last supper) • Water – freedom and escape • Sleep – awakening

  7. Main Characters • Edna Pontellier – protagonist, character experiencing the awakening • Leonce Pontellier – Edna’s husband, treats her well but like an object • Robert Lebrun – begins as just a friend to Edna but evolves into a lover • Alcee Arobin – a man Edna has an affair with who she actually feels passion for but not real love, described as a womanizer • Adele Ratignolle – Edna’s close friend, represents the perfect mother and wife Edna doesn’t believe she’s capable of being • Mademoiselle Reisz – A woman who is described as true artist when it comes to the piano, uncommonly unwed

  8. Style elements significant to author • Imagery • Parallel Structure • Narrative Control • Narrative Stance • Modes of Disclosure • Regional Dialects • Common Motifs • Food • Walking • Music • Painting • Clothing & Fashion

  9. Conflicts • Always with men • Edna vs. Leonce Pontellier, Husband • Edna vs. Robert Lebrun, Lover • Edna vs. Alcee Arobin, male version of a Mistress

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