Quote 1
"Oh, enough, Robert!" she broke into his heated outburst. "You are not thinking of what you are saying. You speak with about as little reflection as we might expect from one of those children down there playing in the sand. If your attentions to any married women here were ever offered with any intention of being convincing, you would not be the gentleman we all know you to be, and you would be unfit to associate with the wives and daughters of the people who trust you." (8.9) Adele is telling Robert that in order to avoid a bad reputation in society, he should quit trying to woo Edna. This is a reflection of the Victorian Era because clearly promiscuity and cheating are heavily disapproved of by the public. I chose this quote because it is important to realize the social implications of the time period in order to better understand Edna's feelings and actions in response.
Quote 2
"She is not one of us; she is not like us. She might make the Unfortunate blunder of taking you seriously." (8.7) Adele is ostracizing Edna by defining her as someone who easily takes to the attention of other men. This, however, provides an interesting conflict of identity because at this point, Edna still acts like the traditional woman. I liked this quote because it foreshadowed Edna's future actions by implying that she was going to attract the attention of men and then involve herself with them.
Quote 3
“Edna looked straight before her with a self-absorbed expression upon her face. She felt no interest in anything about her. The street, the children, the fruit vender, the flowers growing there under her eyes, were all part and parcel of an alien world which had suddenly become antagonistic.” (18.5) At this point, Edna is feeling alienated from society because she rescinded herself as an acceptable member of society by doing other things. Edna's feelings have great prominence within the novel because they shape the plot and dictate her actions, and I felt that this quote would best exemplify an important moment of her feelings.
quote 4
“There were days when she was very happy without knowing why. She was happy to be alive and breathing, when her whole being seemed to be one with the sunlight, the color, the odors, the luxuriant warmth of some perfect Southern day. She liked then to wander alone into strange and unfamiliar places. She discovered many a sunny, sleepy corner, fashioned to dream in. And she found it good to dream and to be alone and unmolested.
There were days when she was unhappy, she did not know why—when it did not seem worth while to be glad or sorry, to be alive or dead; when life appeared to her like a grotesque pandemonium and humanity like worms struggling blindly toward inevitable annihilation. She could not work on such a day, nor weave fancies to stir her pulses and warm her blood.” (19.12-13) Having been awakened, Edna is often experiencing new joys and sorrows throughout her daily life, especially in the more mental sense. Her emotions are completely raw right now, and this allows her to feel and experience more perceptually. I picked this quote because Edna's awakening is important in conveying the themes of the book, and it is important to understand her from the beginning.
There were days when she was unhappy, she did not know why—when it did not seem worth while to be glad or sorry, to be alive or dead; when life appeared to her like a grotesque pandemonium and humanity like worms struggling blindly toward inevitable annihilation. She could not work on such a day, nor weave fancies to stir her pulses and warm her blood.” (19.12-13) Having been awakened, Edna is often experiencing new joys and sorrows throughout her daily life, especially in the more mental sense. Her emotions are completely raw right now, and this allows her to feel and experience more perceptually. I picked this quote because Edna's awakening is important in conveying the themes of the book, and it is important to understand her from the beginning.
quote 5
"You are the only one worth playing for. Those others? Bah!" and she went shuffling and sidling on down the gallery toward her room.
But she was mistaken about "those others." Her playing had aroused a fever of enthusiasm. "What passion!" "What an artist!" "I have always said no one could play Chopin like Mademoiselle Reisz!" "That last prelude! Bon Dieu! It shakes a man!" (9.24-25) Madame Reisz is only content playing for Edna because she is the only one who can properly appreciate the art. This is a reflection of the time period because art appreciation is fleeting as people moved towards a more industrial and modern society. I love art as a theme in the novel because it helps the readers better understand the time period, and that is why I chose this quote.
But she was mistaken about "those others." Her playing had aroused a fever of enthusiasm. "What passion!" "What an artist!" "I have always said no one could play Chopin like Mademoiselle Reisz!" "That last prelude! Bon Dieu! It shakes a man!" (9.24-25) Madame Reisz is only content playing for Edna because she is the only one who can properly appreciate the art. This is a reflection of the time period because art appreciation is fleeting as people moved towards a more industrial and modern society. I love art as a theme in the novel because it helps the readers better understand the time period, and that is why I chose this quote.