Post your responses to the novel. Did you like Edna? Hate her? What kind of symbols of nature have you been able to find? Did novel have to end that way or not? Did Edna have any other way out of her situation? Look forward to hearing from you.
I just finished reading "The Awakening". I really enjoyed it! I felt sympathetic towards Edna throughout the book... and I really hated her husband =). I do think that there were other options for Edna that she could have taken at the end, but it's easy to say that as a reader looking at the situation from the outside. I think that Edna could see no other way to truly be herself, and therefore the ending had to be the way it was. And while some might see it as a cowardly act, I think Edna saw it as an act of rebellion against society's constraints. Of course, I'm not saying people should do what Edna did; I would have liked a happier ending. But I think that Edna could only see one way of remaining herself.
I recently read "The Awakening". I feel Edna lost the desire to be a responsible, productive member of society. As Edna began to disregard her husband's opinions and lose interest in her social gatherings, it became obvious to the reader that she was in an unstable mental state. It was interesting to me that Mademoiselle Reisz's music was one of the only things that could lift her depression for at least a little while. The music seemed to be comforting to Edna as well as the presence of Mademoiselle Reisz. Unlike most mothers who demonstrate unconditional love for their children, Edna enjoyed the time away from them and only occasionally missed her children. Some of this is due to the fact that the children spent most of their time with their quadroon nurse. I believe that one of the main causes of Edna's depression and eventual suicide was that she was very self-absorbed. She needed to realize that Robert was not available to her and embrace the abundance of great things that were available. While she never really loved her husband, I think her husband shows deep concern for her and compassion as he watches her change through this period of time. I also believe some of the fault lies with Robert. He led her on, and while he tried to break it off and leave for Mexico, he returned only to revive her feelings for him. I think that Edna, being narrow-minded, saw herself committing suicide as an escape plan for her pain. I feel Edna needed to pick herself up and start over. If Edna had taken some of Madame Ratignolle's advice, such as thinking of her children, I think the book would have ended differently. Once again, this may be harsh, but I see Edna's suicide as a selfish way of leaving her family and those who cared about her.
I would have to fully agree with Allie's conclusion. Edna's suicide may have seemed like an escape in her eyes but in reality I believe that it was a selfish act taken without anyone else's true well being in mind. I believe it was a cruel decision of her to make on the account of her loved ones. I find it interesting that only simple things could pick up her attitude when she could have focused on other joys in life (such as her children if she would have been open to the advice given to her). I believe that suicide might have not been a resort if focusing on her children would have been the case. While I would like to completely believe Edna was her own enemy here, Robert also deserves some blame because he lacked the courage of a clean break from her and chose to rekindle feelings that should have stayed dead.
4 comments:
I just finished reading "The Awakening". I really enjoyed it! I felt sympathetic towards Edna throughout the book... and I really hated her husband =). I do think that there were other options for Edna that she could have taken at the end, but it's easy to say that as a reader looking at the situation from the outside. I think that Edna could see no other way to truly be herself, and therefore the ending had to be the way it was. And while some might see it as a cowardly act, I think Edna saw it as an act of rebellion against society's constraints. Of course, I'm not saying people should do what Edna did; I would have liked a happier ending. But I think that Edna could only see one way of remaining herself.
I recently read "The Awakening". I feel Edna lost the desire to be a responsible, productive member of society. As Edna began to disregard her husband's opinions and lose interest in her social gatherings, it became obvious to the reader that she was in an unstable mental state. It was interesting to me that Mademoiselle Reisz's music was one of the only things that could lift her depression for at least a little while. The music seemed to be comforting to Edna as well as the presence of Mademoiselle Reisz. Unlike most mothers who demonstrate unconditional love for their children, Edna enjoyed the time away from them and only occasionally missed her children. Some of this is due to the fact that the children spent most of their time with their quadroon nurse. I believe that one of the main causes of Edna's depression and eventual suicide was that she was very self-absorbed. She needed to realize that Robert was not available to her and embrace the abundance of great things that were available. While she never really loved her husband, I think her husband shows deep concern for her and compassion as he watches her change through this period of time. I also believe some of the fault lies with Robert. He led her on, and while he tried to break it off and leave for Mexico, he returned only to revive her feelings for him. I think that Edna, being narrow-minded, saw herself committing suicide as an escape plan for her pain. I feel Edna needed to pick herself up and start over. If Edna had taken some of Madame Ratignolle's advice, such as thinking of her children, I think the book would have ended differently. Once again, this may be harsh, but I see Edna's suicide as a selfish way of leaving her family and those who cared about her.
I would have to fully agree with Allie's conclusion. Edna's suicide may have seemed like an escape in her eyes but in reality I believe that it was a selfish act taken without anyone else's true well being in mind. I believe it was a cruel decision of her to make on the account of her loved ones. I find it interesting that only simple things could pick up her attitude when she could have focused on other joys in life (such as her children if she would have been open to the advice given to her). I believe that suicide might have not been a resort if focusing on her children would have been the case. While I would like to completely believe Edna was her own enemy here, Robert also deserves some blame because he lacked the courage of a clean break from her and chose to rekindle feelings that should have stayed dead.
Excellent comments, Elizabeth, Allie, and Ashleigh. You guys have shown some terrific insights into the novel! Impressive!
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