Beyond the Sea

     So far in Chopin's The Awakening, I have noticed a drastic change in the character and behavior of Edna Pontellier after her "conversion" on one particular evening. Having listened to a piece of music by Chopin, and having discovered her ability to swim, Edna seems to have transformed overnight into a new being, one with a heightened sense of self-awareness and a stronger grasp of her surroundings. Here is what I was able to gather about Edna both before and after this "awakening".


     Edna Pontellier is presented as a homely woman who is subservient to her husband. Having been raised in the South for most of her life, she and her neighbors display certain kinds of courtesy and mannerisms one may associate with the story's setting of Louisiana. She finds much solace in the comfort of her friends, Robert Lebrun and Madame Ratignolle, with whom she engages in the pastimes of spinning or painting. There are also hints in the book that are quite suggestive... her relationship with Robert comes across as tangentially sexual, but I could be wrong. She seems to live a decent life, but not a particularly happy one, as she cries on the porch at night for no apparent reason (Chopin 9). She later confides to Madame Ratignolle on the beach that she rarely reflects upon her life, and when she does, she catches fleeting glimpses of a meadow or the ocean waves, namely, any type of infinite and endless horizon.


     Edna's attitude towards her husband is the first observation I made after her "transformation". Instead of being passive, Edna becomes defiant towards her husband's pleas to come inside in Chapter XI. It seems that she has been liberated from habit and obligation to her husband, and is now beginning to think for herself. She spends her first day with Robert, sailing the coastline and attending Sunday morning service. She is still adjusting to her new impulses, and wishes to leave the service after feeling a sudden surge of emotion and drowsiness (Chopin 53). Her countenance appears to be more radiant, as she falls asleep and wakes up peacefully from her island nap in Chapter XIII.


     Based on this summary, which may or may not be accurate, I will put forth three discussion questions:


     1) There seems to be a common thread of mysterious imageries surrounding Edna and her "awakening". Ghastly visions are frequently alluded to, along with an entire Chapter (VI) devoted to the lure and beckoning of the sea, almost like a Siren. There is also some attention given to the moon; its strong colors are observed in the late afternoon, and its pale light is observed upon the waters at night. What do these imageries suggest about Edna and her "awakening", if they suggest anything at all?


     2) Of all the people Edna feels close to, she seems very gravitated towards Robert. What is it about Robert and his character that Edna finds so compelling? What does this say about Edna's relationship with her husband, Leonce?


     3) This story appears to be set in a time when people and their social classes are still defined by race or ethnicity (Creole, quadroon, Acadian, etc...). Do these labels have any impact on your opinions about the characters in the story?






Brandon Gerlinger