Friday, February 29, 2008

The Awakening

Jacqueline Procter
Journal 15
February 29, 2008
Kate Chopin

Quote:
“She perceived that her will had blazed up, stubborn and resistant. She could not at that moment have done other than denied and resisted. She wondered if her husband had ever spoken to her like that before, and if she had submitted to his command. Of course she had;”

Summary:
Edna’s husband demands that she go to bed – she defies him by staying outside.

Response:
All of her life she has conformed to society’s rules as she acted and reacted without thought – Her needs and desires are imposed on her. She is questioning whether he ever really spoke disrespectfully to her, and realizes that he has – he’s behaving as he always has – but she is can no longer tolerate the staus quo of an oppressive existence.

I love the title of this story! Edna has been asleep as she has played her role of the traditional woman who is subservient to her husband and then suddenly a part of her brain is awakened to the realities of her unhappy existence. She rebels against Mr. Ponteller’s desire for her to go to bed – his concern for her health is an excuse – he’s angry because he’s ready to retire and he needs her for that. Her duties as a wife require her to “tuck” him in. Edna then proceeds to rebel against society’s rules, as she begins to live her life on her own terms – she is true to herself – her happiness is no longer negotiable.

This story is extremely subversive for it’s time and Kate Chopin is one, out of many women, who were ahead of their time in calling attention to the inequalities of women, as slow progress has been made since she wrote this story. Women in Louisiana are still conditioned to do everything for their men. I haven’t been there for over 10 years but I can’t imagine things changing that much.

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