Read pages 94 – 139 (Chapters 16 – 27) and post by Friday, September 14.
By the end of chapter 17, as Edna prepares to return home to New Orleans, it is obvious that she feels unsatisfied with her life even though she has a kind husband, nice friends, healthy children and financial stability (things that “should” have fulfilled a woman in Edna’s position). She begins to pull away from the life she is expected to lead and moves into the life she wants to lead. What evidence do you see of this transition? Analyze whether or not you believe Edna should be satisfied. Please use quotes and page numbers to support your ideas.
Please respond to the postings of other students by Monday, September 17.
Edna Pontellier should be by all rights satisfied with her life. She has a loving husband with a good job, friends, and children. These are all things that someone of her station should have found very satisfying. But Edna is not like other women of her station. She seeks more than to be just a home-keeper and to satisfy her husband. Although the doctor wants her to be “let...alone for a while (119)” because she is going through a ‘whim,’ Edna perseveres. She attempts to further her artistic ability, to find her self fulfillment. She even takes off her wedding ring and throws it to the ground in a moment of anger. Part of her dissatisfaction may have to do with the influence of the Ratignolles. When Edna visits them, she noticed how nice their marriage is, but feels that their peace does not allow them to experience passion. She begins to fully rebel, abandoning her household duties and painting all day. This leads Leonce to question her sanity, however others, such as Mademoiselle Reisz, encourage her, telling her artists have “brace souls.” When the house is empty because Leonce and the children are gone, she really likes the peace and quiet and alone time. She feels like she is “seeing the house as though for the first time.” Mademoiselle Reisz also tells her that she must have strong wings to fly above society’s expectations. So even though Edna should be content, she is not. She feels like a caged bird. She wants to stretch out her wings and fly, which is the one thing she cannot do.
ReplyDeleteNice job picking up on the fact that there are a number of references to not only the ocean but to the birds - freedom. Edna is certainly a troubled soul and is not embraced by society as she tries to find her wings.
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