Although we read many books with oppressed women, The Awakening, again, was slightly different. At first I quite liked Edna, she seemed just like the other beautiful women we read about in Anna Karenina, or, Tess of The D’urbervilles, but then we came to see that she is constantly thinking of herself
Edna thinks of herself too much. Everyone has problems of their own, most peoples’ problems are probably more important than Edna’s, but Edna is always only thinking of her own issues. If anyone were to look at her they would wonder why she thinks so much in this way. She has no financial issues, with a reliable, providing husband, and she has no problems with her husband, he is not a violent alcoholic. In fact, Edna has things going pretty well, she is young and beautiful, popular, and charismatic. She also has guys hanging around her, which must be a pretty big deal for any woman, but not for Edna, she seems to be disinterested in any of these things that are going well and focuses on the few negative things that are actually happening.
Although Edna wants to “break free” it seems that there is not too much to break free from. Her society has not got many limitations, a reception day once a week doesn’t seem too bad. Since her husband is working, Edna should be able to tolerate this quite easily. But, Edna’s mind wanders off to other things. What I find myself thinking, (As we thought in class) What does Edna want? One moment she wants to be an artist, the next she wants to be a mother. Whenever she comes close to one, she instantly rebounds to the other.
Dr. Mandelet tries to cure Edna of her psychological problems, but little does he realize that it is himself who is a victim of society. Edna is changing “She was becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garment with which to appear before the world.” Dr. Mandelet, of course, cannot cure Edna, because she has no medical disorder but is only trying to live the life that she wants, one that is not limited by what other people think. As a result, she puts herself before her children and everyone else. Although it is selfish of Edna to do this, she is one of the few who is capable of trying to live an individual life while most people easily succumb to the pressures of society.
Why do Edna’s feelings of Robert fluctuate so often? Edna is in love with Robert, isn’t she? After he leaves for Mexico she thinks of him almost constantly, but when he finally returns she leaves him and his passionate emotions for Madame Ratignolle. Why does she do so? Perhaps it is inevitable for Edna to miss a birth, the coming of a new life into this world (What we learnt in class about the womb being a “heaven”). Then again, maybe Edna simply does not love Robert as much as she thinks she does. Whenever he is nearby she doesn’t think much of him, but when he is far away her longing for him is unbearable. When Robert leaves for Mexico, Edna perceives Robert to be “the perfect man”, and lives in a fantasy. When Robert returns, she quickly realizes that he is not as “perfect” as she thought. Edna does not truly love Robert, when he longs for her, she is indifferent to him, however, when he leaves and seems to ignore her, she starts to become obsessed with him. Edna is just finding some way to have difference in her life, when he is there she doesn’t care and needs a change in her life, but when he is not there, she wants him back because she is in need of a relationship. Edna’s relationships are as unstable as it seems, she is never settled in one place at one time. The affairs she has, mask the many negative, mundane, even repetitive aspects of life. The life that Edna leads is influenced by society, therefore, limitations are placed upon Edna so that her life requires change to counterpart boredom.
At first I found this book to be boring, but as I wrote this response I changed my opinion almost instantly, I realized that there is actually much more to Edna than we think. Although Edna is not the most attractive character to a reader because of her selfish attitude in thinking about herself first, coming to think of it, doesn’t everyone think of themselves first, maybe Edna is the only one to confidently admit it. We all have the desire to be free like Edna does and take the path less travelled by, but most people choose to follow the crowd. Everyone wants to stand out, ,to be unique and remembered in a positive way, but they don’t want to stand out too much so as to social distress.
Jun, you demonstrate here the value of writing: it forces us to think more deeply. Bravo!
Why do Edna’s feelings for Robert fluctuate? Maybe she still loves Robert. She just cannot accept Robert’s proposal of marriage because she is afraid to be trapped.