Edna finds Mademoiselle Reisz, probably because she feels that Reisz is also distant in a way from society. When she finds her, she persuades her to give her a letter from Robert. Mademoiselle Reisz plays an Impromptu. The combination of the music and the letter makes Edna cry because she feels Robert's absence very strongly.
I find it interesting that although the Doctor suspects that Edna has a lover or feels that she wants one, he still advises Mr. Pontellier to let her do what she wants and that 'it' will pass. Perhaps he doesn't understand the strength of Edna's feelings (which I doubt) or he feels sympathetic to her.
Edna's father visits too. And then everyone leaves and Edna is happy to be alone.
Friday, 7 November 2008
Awakening 15-19
(I didn't know the word bedlam came from an insane asylum by that name. Footnotes are interesting. I didn't know what the word befurbelowed meant either.)
During the scene where Edna finds out Robert is leaving, the tension at the table is so obvious that it really makes one appreciate the difference between society now and then. Reading this book today, it's obvious what's going on between Robert and Edna (or what will go on) but back then that scene would just be a bit strange, and the one where Robert says goodbye.
Edna also begins to break social conventions in a more noticeable manner, like skipping her reception days. She also displays feelings of resentment against the way she has to live and shows it by stamping on her wedding ring and smashing a vase. Her dislike of being married is made clearer when she visits Madame Ratignolle.
During the scene where Edna finds out Robert is leaving, the tension at the table is so obvious that it really makes one appreciate the difference between society now and then. Reading this book today, it's obvious what's going on between Robert and Edna (or what will go on) but back then that scene would just be a bit strange, and the one where Robert says goodbye.
Edna also begins to break social conventions in a more noticeable manner, like skipping her reception days. She also displays feelings of resentment against the way she has to live and shows it by stamping on her wedding ring and smashing a vase. Her dislike of being married is made clearer when she visits Madame Ratignolle.
Awakening 10-14
Ch 10-14, Ch 15-19, and Ch 20-24
Having now read the entire book, that scene where Edna is really swimming in the water for the first time is much more interesting. It sort of foreshadows the end in a way.
The scene where she refuses to go inside the house when her husband tells her to is interesting because at the end, he does not go in when she asks him if he is going to when she goes in. It makes the whole scene slightly pointless in achievement, but it is the first time Edna really does what she wants to purposefully.
Edna's journey to the island or wherever is one of the weirder parts of the book. It's told in a sort of vague way, as if Edna is dreaming it.
Also: I just realized this about ch 9. The song that Mademoiselle Reisz plays at the end is by Frederc Chopin. Did Kate Chopin choose a composer with the same last name as her for a reason? Maybe to relate Mademoiselle Reisz with her? It's interesting to think about.
Having now read the entire book, that scene where Edna is really swimming in the water for the first time is much more interesting. It sort of foreshadows the end in a way.
The scene where she refuses to go inside the house when her husband tells her to is interesting because at the end, he does not go in when she asks him if he is going to when she goes in. It makes the whole scene slightly pointless in achievement, but it is the first time Edna really does what she wants to purposefully.
Edna's journey to the island or wherever is one of the weirder parts of the book. It's told in a sort of vague way, as if Edna is dreaming it.
Also: I just realized this about ch 9. The song that Mademoiselle Reisz plays at the end is by Frederc Chopin. Did Kate Chopin choose a composer with the same last name as her for a reason? Maybe to relate Mademoiselle Reisz with her? It's interesting to think about.
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