The Awakening
by Kate Chopin

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• ISBN13: 9780380002450
• Condition: New
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Book Reviews of The Awakening

Book Review: Finding Individualism
Summary: 5 Stars

Kate Chopin created a work on individualism, on self; Self is what is being awakened, it is the solitary soul. In Chopin's time there were many such Ednas, women struggling to become something more significant than a prized possession but not knowing how. Creative expression through brush or pen was held as little more than another form of capricious coquetry.

The development of Edna's character is tragic. Edna acknowledges her pull toward individualism, she knows it to be true and right. But Edna is only just beginning to understand and doesn't know where to go with it. She discovers there is no place for her to go, and so chooses death over conformity. I'm certain Chopin's message was to illustrate individuality and worth separate from spouse, family, religion, etc., as well as to demand that self-worth and individuality be recognized before entering `the social fabric of connectedness and sustain the dream and the illusion.' Edna awoke in a cage with no escape, except one. She was buried in a sea of right and wrong, both within herself and without. Edna was eventually overcome by the impetus of her awakening: sexuality. But because she became aware, awakened, did not necessarily imply that she would act out on her feelings. Her illusion of Robert grew in his absence. Edna became certain of her need to consummate. She was lost. What could have been a jumping off point into self and growth and giving, instead became a dash for freedom. Freedom was first Robert and then no one.

The early 20th century critics' comments were fascinating. Of special note was John May's essay on Chopin's masterful use of textile imagery. Chopin became an artist on sensuality. I also admired Ringe's notes on symbolism: The Lady in Black who was lost in God combined with the couple lost in love, contrasted to Edna who never could achieve loss of self in love for another -- this symbolism is consistent throughout. George Arms makes a strong case that the children represented a stable society and unbroken home. Edna turns to the children time and again in her confusion of self.

Larzer Ziff noted well how Chopin rejected `family' as the equivalent of feminine self-fulfillment -- it is a way to emphasize the equal worth of self in all people not just men... part of the awakening process.

I disagreed with Spangler, that Edna's suicide diminished her character. Suicide was an inevitable end for the person struggling to recognize her significance independent to all others, ...and losing. Edna's displays of strength and self that Spangler admired so much, I saw as efforts at understanding. The fact the Edna almost understood but kept slipping made her slide all the more tragic.

Wolff's Freudian analysis is well thought out and deep -- maybe too deep. Edna's attempt at fusion seemed more a result of her confusion at being adrift. Though I loved the analogy of a newborn with the birth of a soul.

In all, one must first know themselves as a solitary soul, and then join the connectedness of those around them.

Summary of The Awakening

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