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Summary: American Victorian Woman in a Guilded Cage
Review: A century ago Kate Chopin shocked the literary establishment and the world of Creole society with her controversial short novel: she dared challenge the rigid rules of Victorian America in 190 pages. THE AWAKENING is perfect for a classroom discussion on emerging Feminism or for Women's Studies in general. One hundred years later this book still promotes heated debate among readers, for it can be considered on various levels. Chopin's style is deliberately ambiguous at times--leaving readers with many unanswered questions. Set in Creole America (New Orleans and the steamy Gulf Coast waters), this tale appears simplistic on the surface, dabbling along with little discernable advancement of plot. But do not be deceived by the apparently calm surface, for beneath the lazy days and lifestyle of the idle rich lurk hidden currents of treacherous temptation, as a young woman comes of Emotional age and resents her caged existence. While vacationing with other members of New Orleans Society on Grand Isle, Enda Pontellier feels the faint stirrings of her own sexuality, chafing in her prescribed role as obedient wife and devoted mother. There must be more to life than just this vaapid stagnation of the soul. Her attraction for a perennial beach beau--assumed harmless by all husbands--leads her to desire more from life. The men may be portrayed as stereotypes, but Edna emerges as a sensuous and intelligent young woman who attemps to deal with her frustrations. Yet as she struggles to become a woman, she often surrenders her will, seemingly content to float with the fluctuating tides of fate and chance. No longer satisfied to serve as a mere ornament in a casual marriage, Edna sacrifices her reputation, her family and even more--to prove to herself and one other that she does possess the courage to be an "artist." But does the cost prove too great?
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Summary: The Awakening [ABRIDGED]
Review: Although Chopin's masterpiece can be life altering when the complete text is read, I found the abridgement on audio to be quite disappointing. Liza Ross's affectation of Edna Pontellier's journey through her awakening makes Edna seem whimsical and weak. The abridgement makes too many cuts which are essential to understanding Edna's break from her husband and from society's standards at the time of the novella's occurrence. Other characters also seem trite and their actions come across as incomprehensible. Robert Lebrun is certainly not worthy of Edna's affections throughout the course of the abridgement. He is much more seductive and enticing in the complete story. The same holds true for Madomoiselle Reisz. The two characters are essential to internalizing Edna's plight and understanding her ultimate fate. I have listened to many audio abridgements. In this case, the lack of story does a disservice to the listener's understanding of Napoleonic Law in Louisiana at the turn of the century. It is easy to listen to this rendering not realizing that Edna and all of her personal effects are actually Leonce's property. My advice, read the book if you truly want to appreciate the mastery of the work that made Chopin give up writing.
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Summary: excellent novel - must read for women especially
Review: Kate Chopin, a woman far ahead of her time, did a remarkable job in writing The Awakening. She most likely felt many of the same things as her fiction character, writing them through her novel. It is so unfortunate that the book was rejected when first published, that people could not accept such a revolutionary and dynamic female character like Edna Pontellier. She was a strong-willed woman who discovered her independence, self-worth, inner strength and sexuality. In a time when wives were submissive and subservient, Edna breaks free of the confines of society's traditional role for women. Empowered by the realization that she can make her own decisions and act according to her will alone, not simply her husband's, her life becomes more fully real. It is then that she can also truly love. Edna had always been quietly rebellious and independent, but had slowly given in more and more to society's rules and the males in her life. She did not want to be seen and esteemed only for being a mother and proper woman. It was refreshing to see such a strong woman, especially considering the time period the novel was written, long before the times of civil or women's rights. Edna's happiness and freedom, her true self and being, are the most valuable things in the world to her. She does not want to be treated as a possession any longer. Edna's thoughts and actions were quite radical for the late 19th century, but many of the ideas from the novel still apply today, even in a time of supposed equality and freedoms. People must learn to look inward for true happiness; self-realizations and preservation. Today, people, women, tend to look outward for their contentment and acceptance, basing it on other people and material things. Kate Chopin and her character were attempting to break free of this a century ago. Reading The Awakening was a pleasurable experience from start to finish. We both really enjoyed the novel and definitely recommend it to others, especially women.
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Summary: A woman who went against the morals of her time
Review: This book illustrates the passion and desire that is awaken in a twenty-eight year old mother and wife. Edna Pontellier's experiences are so intense that she promises herself they are only the beginning. The book takes place on an exotic and friendly Creole isle. Pontellier feels trapped and bored in her marriage; she yearns for excitement in her life. Once she had found true love, she felt her life had meaning. When Pontellier's lover had gone, she was depressed, but felt glad that she had felt true love, although it didn't last very long. Kate Chopin's book was not accepted when it was first published, because society did not want to read about married women having lovers. Many people thought the book was written in poor taste; it was even banned by libraries. This was Chopin's last book because the criticism, and the harsh comments she received made her stop writing. When she died in 1904, she was denied the recognition she deserved. After her death, many viewed Chopin's book as a representation of women's emancipation. Her book was acclaimed a masterpiece. I highly recommend reading this book because it was captivating and interesting.
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Summary: This is not feminism
Review: When my friend and I ran across a list of 101 books that were recommended to be read before college, we realized we had only read a small percentage of the books and made a vow to read more. One of the books on the list was "The Awakening," and as we had studied Kate Chopin in school and it was readily available online, we decided to both read it. Both of us had read it by the next day, and we both reached the same conclusion: Chopin's protagonist, Edna, was a selfish woman who was not strong at all, as a truly strong woman would have continued on even after the man she loved left her. The book is written beautifully, hence the two stars. But Edna is completely unidentifiable. She is twenty-eight, yet she seems to do everything on impulse. Yes, maybe she did rush irrationally into an ultimately loveless marriage -- but her husband is not a monster, so doesn't she at least owe him some consideration? Not to mention her children -- she seems to not have the slightest regard for them, only showing affection in fits and starts. This book should be read, if only to show what strength is not -- strength is not what Edna does in the end of this story. However, you may find yourself struggling to get through it, as Edna is often very frustrating. In conclusion -- this is NOT feminism. In fact, before reading this story I had immense respect for Kate Chopin, respect gained from reading her short stories. I lost some of that respect after seeing what she apparently believed was the solution for Edna's problems.
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