Contained in the edition of this book(Barnes and Noble of course! should collect royalties, even though I read these editions because my husband works there and I get a discount on a nice book.:) were also some of Kate Chopin's short stories. I may post a blog on my favorites, but the actual novel deserves its own.
Southern American Literature is so rich. It must be the slavery/prejudice issue that contributes so much drama. The pathetic sentiments in Southern Literature of one human usurping authority or supremacy over another leave plenty of room for work of literature to be rife with drama. The Awakening didn't deal with race or slavery directly, but it was still hugely dramatic and rich.
The entire novel was just dreamy, Kate Chopin's voice made the setting of deep south New Orleans golden, warm, urbanely classic and beautiful. I felt as if I was wrapped up in the dreamlike novel the entire time. It was a beautiful read.
The main character, Edna Pontellier slowly becomes "awakened" in a sense that she suddenly finds herself unable to pinpoint her uncertainty and emotions.
The ending of the story has so much to do with the total story that there's not much of a way to leave it off. If you wish to experience the entire novel yourself stop reading here.
Edna eventually discovers her reasons of feeling unsettled. She is in love with another man who is not her husband, and more the marriage to her husband was never out of love, but more out of spite, and her life she's been living was mostly a lie to herself. Unable to come to terms with her confusing emotions, guilt, and look past the Victorian society ideals of marriage, and maternal expectancies, she swims out into the ocean to her death.
As an active LDS woman, where marriage and family are VERY much an integral part of my religion, I was a bit unsettled by this ending. I honestly had to wonder if my own marriage would ever fall to such a fate.
Three books so far on this list have dealt solely with a matter like this. Aristocratic, partially arranged marriage, usually Victorian Era, manogamy, female expectations within marriage. Anna Karenina andThe Age of Innocence as well as this book.
AS I'm writing this down, my screen saver is replaying images of my wedding. I was married to my husband within nine months of knowing each other. Crazy? Perhaps. But it's been the best choice of my life. I'm reminded how wonderful that day was. How sacred, special, and holy the temple was. In our pictures, we are both glowing with happiness, and my mother's careful stitches made me to fantastic in my wedding dress. I will proudly let everyone know that my dress is the prettiest wedding dress of them all. And I looked stunning in it.
I'm not worried about my marriage failing. I love my husband, and he adores me. :) It was not arranged. And I do not live in the Victorian Era where sexual desires were so taboo it was ridiculous. I think these novels weren't preaching against marriage, but rather for a more love-involved, equal relationship for both husband and wife. And that, is precisely what I agree with.
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