American Literature

In her essay, Bradley examines the possible German philosophical influence on Chopins story, concentrating on the influence of  The Birth of Tragedy  by Frederick Nietzsche By looking at the text and Chopins own philosophical leanings, Bradley attempts to more deeply understand the message behind Edna Pontelliers choices. In particular, it helps to understand the motivations for the ending of the story, where Edna dies. Bradley notes that in some ways The Awakening mirrors  The Birth of Tragedy  use of classic mythological imagery, with Robert representing the sun god Apollo. This is one of the most helpful points of this article because it draws parallels between the images of Robert in certain parts of the text with Nietzsche use of the myth of Apollo as a supportive comparison. Victor, Roberts brother, is the Dionysus in Nietzsche work, representing an opposition to his brother and creating a conflict. In looking at the story through this lens helps to better understand the relationship between the brothers, and ultimately Ednas relationship to Robert.

In their essay, Church and Havener, look at the significance of the recurring and primarily anonymous figure of the  lady in black  as an important figure in contrasting 19th century womans difficulty in reconciling their physical identity with their  conscious identity  (196). The  lady in black  is represented specifically in the character of Mademoiselle Reisz who, herself, vicariously fulfills the contradictions between societys expectations of women in this respect and Ednas own search for a reconciliation of this type. In addition to Reisz, Church and Havener point out the recurrence of this image, which is representative of women like Reisz who do not fit the mold of such women as Madame Ragnitolle as  mother-women  but still have a place in society. The  lady in black  is seen as a constant backdrop to Ednas dalliances with Robert, which are a kind of culmination of the physical and the internal identity of women. The  lady in black,  experiences her physical self, the sexual and sensual idea of womanhood, through women such as Edna. In this way, Church and Havener show how important Edna is in the overall scheme of the society presented. She is not just the rebellious younger woman, but more importantly a way for other women in the text to experience her rebellion through their mere presence.

In this essay, Clark examines the imagery of birds in The Awakening, as representative of the relationship of women and 19th century society. From the opening image of the birds Leonce hears as he sits on the veranda at the beginning of the story to the image of the  mother-women  as kind of guardian angels in their relationships to their husbands and children. These women are so conditioned by the social idea of their oppression that they do not realize that they are caught in cage of societys expectations of women. For this reason, this article helps the reader to better understand how Edna can differ so greatly in her understanding of the world and how she is able to rebel against the idea, while women like Adele Ratignolle are unknowingly trapped. By making their oppression part of their view of the world, these women have internalized their struggle as part of their daily existence, to the point that they do not react to it. It also helps the reader understand Ednas relationship with these women, even as she herself is trying to break free from the cage.

Kohn examines the differing views on whether or not The Awakening is a classic or modernist text. As a classical text, readers have seen the story as having drawn on the influences of Chopins own reading, in particular Die Leiden Des Jungen Werthe by Wolfgang von Goethe. In looking at the book in comparison to Goethes work, such things as Ednas first independent swim on August 28th take on a new meaning due to the 28th of August being both Goethe and Werthes birthday. Kohns look at The Awakening as a modernist text is helpful in understanding the psychological influences of such psychologists as Freud on Chopins writing. In his understanding of human nature and death, such as the  Nirvana principle  in helping explain why Edna chose death. In the end, the two readings of the text disagree on the point of Ednas death as suicide. Overall, the essay helps understand the differing interpretations of Chopins story and how the writers beliefs on the human mind had influenced the plot and characters.
Powell, Tamara.  Chopins The Awakening.  Explicator. 67.4. 2009 Fall. 276-279. Academic Search Premier.

Powells examination of The Awakening concentrates on the concept of viewing the story from what writer Toni Morrison describes as an  africanist  perspective. By looking at the way in which African Americans, such as the servants who make periodical appearances throughout the novel, we can better understand the plight of such women as Edna. Their place in this society, illustrates the hierarchy of social, racial, and gender influences on how society accepts people and how they are ultimately viewed. Ednas economic and racial privilege shown against the backdrop of the racism against her servants, shows how the privilege of her station is oftentimes neglected in looking at the text. This essay will be particularly helpful in showing how Ednas relates to the wider world and not simply the world of Victorian era Creole society.

In this essay, Streater examines how the character Adele Ratignolle represents a feminist character. Though often Ednas struggle against the expectations of marriage and motherhood, as well as the proper physical and sexual identity expected of women, are often seen as feminist, Agnes place as a feminist is often more difficult to see. However, Streater looks at how Agnes status as a  mother-woman  and her close friendship with Edna act as a different kind of feminism. In Agnes, the feminist principles are more subtle and are bound to her place as an ideal representation of women. Pointing to the initial description of Agnes as  over the top  Streater attempts to show that Agnes was not merely meant as a representative of everything Edna cannot be. In describing Agnes in the manner in which she does, Chopin makes her portrayal unreliable. Her actions and friendship with Edna show Agnes to be a much deeper character, who works within the confines of society to find her own personal identity. In this essay, the reader is allowed to see the varying levels of feminist sensibility in the characters, from the outright rebellion of Edna to Agness subtle use of the world around her to help find a relationship to herself, as well as the world around her.