Another example of the difference in Edna’s behaviour through interaction is with Leonce and the way in which Edna talks to him. Edna rejects any societal values which she may or may have not have agreed with before but used to adhere to; she behaves towards Leonce in a way which is a total shock to him and therefore the reader because Chopin presents how Leonce feels and reacts as fact. “Why, what could have taken you out on Tuesday? What did you have to do?” said Mr Pontellier.
“Nothing. I simply felt like going out, and I went out,” this is an example of a total change the way that Edna behaves towards Leonce. She does not behaviour or react the same way that she would have done previously thereby highlighting the change in her persona.
Furthermore, the reader is told that there is a change in Edna’s character, or at least in Mr Pontellier’s view, “ her whole attitude toward me and everybody and everything- has changed.” Chopin verifies Mr Pontellier’s comment by showing her reject of involving herself with her acquaintances and engaging in a whole new approach to life, “she hasn’t been associating with any one. She has abandoned her Tuesdays at home, has thrown over all her acquaintances, and goes tramping about by herself, moping in the street-cars, getting in after dark.” This implies a total rejection of any ‘normal’ routine which Mr Pontellier would like Edna to led and would have been undertaken by all of the women in the Creole society. Once again Chopin is highlighting the distinction between Edna and the typical Creole woman.
The reader also discovers a different aspect to Edna’s character when she is with her father. Seeing Edna with her father allows Chopin to bring out the child in Edna, which we have not seen before. In addition, by Chopin developing the character of Edna’s father, we as the reader have seen different moulds of men, that Chopin has created with the intention, of possibly allowing the reader to see Leonce in a better light than before. Thereby dissolving the idea that Leonce is exaggerating Edna’s change in personality, and is purely behaving in a malicious way.
Another way in which Chopin develops the impact of Edna’s wakening is through the development of the other characters. While the Doctor, Mr Pontellier, the Colonel and Edna are at dinner they all tell a story. These stories reveal a great deal about the characters at that point in time. In Edna’s case, the story exposes the progression she has made from a wife and mother to what could be described as a ‘free spirit.’ Edna talks about “a woman who paddled away with her lover one night in a pirogue and never came back.” Once this a story that Edna would probably not have told at a social occasion, before when she was the perfect wife and mother; and was trying to fulfil the roles set down for her. Chopin has gradual revealed more and more about Edna’s awakening, making subtle suggestions, thereby increasing the impact.
Finally, Chopin describes how Edna feels when she visits the Ratignolle’s and this gives us an indication into Edna’s inner thoughts, “Edna felt depressed rather than soothed after leaving them. The little glimpse of domestic harmony which had been offered her, gave her no regret, no longing,” this tells the reader that had Edna had the domestic bliss that the Ratignolle’s had, she would still not be happy; “It was not a condition of life which fitted her, and she could see in it but an appalling and hopeless ennui.”
Edna’s actions, as well as her gradual shift towards individuality, help to develop the impact of Edna’s awakening. For example as mentioned previously Edna rejects the regular routine of meeting up with her acquaintances every Tuesday. Here Chopin is showing how Edna is discarding Creole society and its need to be controlling, and rebelling against normality.
Finally, symbolism plays a large part in the reader’s acknowledgment of Edna’s awakening. This is another stylistic device used by Chopin as a means of presenting Edna’s awakening, within each narrative segment there is a central and powerful symbol that serves to add meaning and underline subtle points that Chopin is making. Firstly, sleep plays a role in Edna’s awakening, literally and metaphorically. Edna’s initial awakening is both physical and metaphorical. Her moments of awakening are often preceded by sleep and she does a great deal of it; this could be seen has Edna’s rebellion against natural sleep patterns, and therefore society. Sleep is also a means of escape for Edna, which is very influential in her development of awaking. In addition, in fairy tales, sleep is a key element and one could say that Edna’s awakening is like something out of a fairy tale. Now she has awoken from her fairy tale into reality and discarding it.
Chopin also uses the idea of the garden representing something rich and sensuous, “the garden smelled so good and looked so pretty in the afternoon sunlight.” Here Edna seems to have gained recognition of the sensuous, which would indicate a different aspect to Edna’s personality. However, the garden has a dual nature. It represents something constricting and “scrupulously neat”, which is a complete contrast with the sergeant nature of the sea. The description of the outside of the cottage goes from being conventional to oppressive, “ the rich and tasteful draperies hung at doors and windows,” the heavy nature of this furniture signifies something dominating. The way in which Chopin describes Mr Pontellier particular nature, “walking about his house examining its various appointments and details, to see that nothing was amiss” would indicate that Leonce also restricting Edna’s ability to be herself, thus helping to develop the impact of her awakening. Furthermore, the way in which Mr Pontellier is described by the author would imply that Edna is also seen as a possession rather than an individual human being, “He greatly valued his possessions, chiefly because they were his, and derived genuine pleasure from contemplating a painting, a statuette… and placed it among his household gods.”
An additional, there are a small number of symbolic meals in the central part of the novel and each stress mythic aspects in the text. Food used because it is a social focus. Chopin uses this narrative device, in a number of different ways, for example when Robert announces he is going away this is during meal. Also, Leonce sublimates his bad mood through food, when talking to Edna about her reason for not meeting her acquaintances. Leonce behaviour is changing at the same time as Edna’s. However, the way in which Chopin writes would indicate that Leonce’s behaviour is trying to adapt to Edna’s.
In conclusion, Chopin reveals and develops the impact of Edna’s awakening through narrative and stylistic devices.
By Claire Gittoes
