A Room of One’s Own
A Room of One’s Own: That novel can be connected to "The Awakening" as both novels seem to emphasize woman independence and freedom from inferiority that men instinctively place on women. Although the first seven chapters do not provide much insight into the rest of the novel, “The Awakening” title seems to coincide perfectly with ideals of feminism. Edna is “awakening” from her mundane existence. Although I feel that the men in “The Awakening” are quite submissive for that time period, it serves to highlight the irregularity of Edna’s personality. (pg 26-27)
HeForShe
HeForShe: The novel also connects to Emma Watson’s HeForShe campaign for feminism the U.N. goodwill ambassador. She is advocating to female rights and saying that men need to care as well as it affects them also. This relates perfectly to Chopin’s scene when Leonce comes home from playing billiards and claims that Edna must go check up on their son and that she can’t expect him to make the money in the house and care for children (basically, what are women for?!). Men these days are much better at taking on household duties as there are stay at home men these days who are not the breadwinners of the family. (pg 5)
Dress Code
Dress Code: This also connects to the recent class discussion that we had on dress code and the implications of enforcing it much more strictly for girls than for boys. By saying that it is the girl’s fault for showing off her body and distracting the boys in the class is implying that a man’s education is more important than the woman’s. This relates to Chopin’s novel in which it seems none of the women are seriously educated. They worship their children and husbands and have no motivation, purpose, or drive solely for their own gain. Their independence is nonexistent and Edna is beginning to feel and understand the wrong-ness of the entire situation. (pg 2)
suicide
Suicide: By the end of the novel, strictly the last two pages, the readers get a sense of foreboding in the actions that Edna is about to commit. The tone provides a sense of futility and a desperate wish for peace. Edna walks out in the ocean in the end and it is not stated whether she died but it is almost completely assured that she committed suicide. The events that happened in her life were just too much to bear. She might’ve undergone depression and had other issues and symptoms of a person about to commit suicide. Perhaps she feels that life is worthless without love and so she would rather not live at all. (pg 116)
infidelity
Infidelity: Edna has already betrayed her husband by having thoughts about Robert, but she has furthered betrayed herself and Robert by enacting irrevocable intimate actions with Alcee Arobin. Such a woman who cannot control her feelings must not have a strong will or heart at all. If she truly loved Robert, she would not even have time or eyes for another man no matter how persuasive he is, nor how depraved of physical contact she is. By being unfaithful, she has screwed up her fake relationship, real relationship, and desperate relationship in one fail swoop. All this turmoil ultimately contributes to her demise. (pg 73 - 80)
frederic chopin's piano pieces
Frederic Chopin Piano Pieces: These selections of Chopin are well chosen and very distinctive. They are very passionate and emotional pieces that tie in perfectly with Edna’s fluctuating emotions, caused by infatuation. The pieces are romantic style pieces and are very expressive as well as explosive. It is very easy to understand her feeling after Mademoiselle Reisz’s performance. The emotional awakening that Edna feels inside her is a typical reaction for many audiences of the time period of Chopin (1810-1849). (pg 26, 64)
"i know why the caged bird sings"
"I Know why the Caged Bird Sings": Like Maya Angelou’s famous work, Chopin also implies some similarities by dubbing Edna’s new house, the “pigeon house”. Using this phrase, she deems Edna to be trapped in a new world of her own although she escaped the old one of her husband’s. Although Edna may not be originally aware of the implications of her actions, she suffers in the end as she leaves the world alone, without anyone standing by her. (pg 84 - 88)
enlightenment era
Enlightenment Era: The time period of this piece is the 1800s and although it is too early to focus on the rise of feminism and equal rights, enlightened male thinkers like Dr. Mandaret are able to recognize the characteristics of the individuals who have discovered themselves and have been liberated. He is a smart man to see Edna’s predicament for what it is. In another few decades, the French nation would undergo a major social upheaval that consisted of protesting for more equal rights among all men and even included some phrases about women’s rights. (pg 64-66)
patriarchy
Patriarchy: This is an obvious connection to the novel as Edna is expected to respect and abide by all the rules and advices of her husband. When she doesn’t, her father gets mad and even criticizes Léonce’s lack of control over Edna, maintaining that a man must use “authority” and “coercion” in all matters concerning his wife. This is a sad truth that the world has come from but even still, perfect gender equality is still no where to be seen. (pg 2-3)
"i just wanna be average"
"I Just Wanna be Average": The sense of futility that Edna feels at the end of the novel is something everyone can relate to, regardless of his or her situation. Mike Rose’s memoir exemplifies how students can sometimes feel that everything is too much and just give up instead of trying to push through. Edna also gives into peaceful rest when she can’t fight the social condemnation she receives anymore. Although, from a student perspective, it is not nearly as dire, some students experience that same feeling when they, for example, give up on a class in which they know that won’t make an A or B in. (pg 110-116)