The Awakening - Books Babb.no

Hardcover, 164 pages

English language

Published Aug. 30, 1995 by Barnes & Noble Books, Barnes & Noble.

ISBN:: 978-1-56619-553-9
OCLC Number:: 32422343

(1 review)

Edna Pontellier, an elegant daughter of Southern gentry, is once again spending the summer with her husband and children at Grande Isle, a resort for wealthy New Orleans families. But this summer is very different for Mrs. Pontellier.

The sultry nights, the hypnotic, gentle lapping of the waves on the beach, the intoxicating scent of the breezes off the Gulf, the insouciant and guile- less ways of the Creoles—these all combine to bring strength to Edru* inner self, the person inside who she has too long stifled for her husband, family, and society.

Slowly, through that fateful summer, Edna changes, Her husband—caring if a bit insensitive—does. n't understand why more and more his wife is let" ting her housemaking duties slip and is increasingly rebellious. Edna herself is unable to fully explain what is happening to her, but she knows that she can no longer be untrue to herself.

The …

Edna Pontellier, an elegant daughter of Southern gentry, is once again spending the summer with her husband and children at Grande Isle, a resort for wealthy New Orleans families. But this summer is very different for Mrs. Pontellier.

The sultry nights, the hypnotic, gentle lapping of the waves on the beach, the intoxicating scent of the breezes off the Gulf, the insouciant and guile- less ways of the Creoles—these all combine to bring strength to Edru* inner self, the person inside who she has too long stifled for her husband, family, and society.

Slowly, through that fateful summer, Edna changes, Her husband—caring if a bit insensitive—does. n't understand why more and more his wife is let" ting her housemaking duties slip and is increasingly rebellious. Edna herself is unable to fully explain what is happening to her, but she knows that she can no longer be untrue to herself.

The Awakening scandalized the public when it was first published in 1899. It was banned from bookstores and libraries and the author herself was vilified by the literary establishment. Though the book was to be out of print for fifty years, it was eventually recognized as a book ahead of its time. Its finely etched portrayal of a woman discovering herself is seen today as a forerunner of much feminist literature. --front flap

161 editions

RexLegendi reviewed The Awakening and Selected Stories by Kate Chopin

Review of 'The Awakening and Selected Stories' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Kate Chopin (1850-1904) offers a magnificent glimpse into 19th-century Louisiana, where many people – including the author herself – were of Creole descent. I was not aware of the original meaning of that term, which apparently only shifted after the Louisiana Purchase. The Awakening is set within this particular community.

“You are burnt beyond recognition,” he added, looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage.

On the surface, the story is straightforward: a married woman falls in love with another man, questions her marriage, then finds herself torn by her dilemma. Chopin was ahead of her time, however, turning the narrative into a striking exploration of defiance and female sexuality. Edna Montpellier is a memorable protagonist, paving the way for later literary characters like Countess Ellen Olenska in Edith Wharton’s [b:The Age of Innocence|2228129|The Age of Innocence|Edith Wharton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320461344l/2228129.SY75 …

Kate Chopin (1850-1904) offers a magnificent glimpse into 19th-century Louisiana, where many people – including the author herself – were of Creole descent. I was not aware of the original meaning of that term, which apparently only shifted after the Louisiana Purchase. The Awakening is set within this particular community.

“You are burnt beyond recognition,” he added, looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage.

On the surface, the story is straightforward: a married woman falls in love with another man, questions her marriage, then finds herself torn by her dilemma. Chopin was ahead of her time, however, turning the narrative into a striking exploration of defiance and female sexuality. Edna Montpellier is a memorable protagonist, paving the way for later literary characters like Countess Ellen Olenska in Edith Wharton’s [b:The Age of Innocence|2228129|The Age of Innocence|Edith Wharton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320461344l/2228129.SY75.jpg|1959512] or Laura Brown in Michael Cunningham’s [b:The Hours|11899|The Hours|Michael Cunningham|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479663379l/11899.SY75.jpg|2245431]. Her journey is less about men and more about conventions in general. The moment she stops conforming to societal norms, society quickly closes in on her. Ultimately, Edna finds herself torn between desires and expectations.

The sentiment which she entertained for Robert in no way resembled that which she felt for her husband, or had ever felt, or ever expected to feel. She had all her life long been accustomed to harbor thoughts and emotions which never voiced themselves. They had never taken the form of struggles. They belonged to her and were her own, and she entertained the conviction that she had a right to them and that they concerned no one but herself.

According to the introduction, The Awakening was a response to ‘male fantasies’ as expressed in Henry James’ [b:The Portrait of a Lady|264|The Portrait of a Lady|Henry James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1502148606l/264.SY75.jpg|1434368]. I haven’t read that book, but I am enthusiastic about Kate Chopin’s novel. Her female perspective in a male-dominated world is both interesting and well-articulated. It also taught me more about colonial history in the United States.