Kate Chopin The Awakening 1850 1904 Chopins major

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Kate Chopin & The Awakening 1850 - 1904

Kate Chopin & The Awakening 1850 - 1904

Chopin's major work was published in 1889. - well-established as a national writer -

Chopin's major work was published in 1889. - well-established as a national writer - it was reviewed by critics who universally condemned it as "shocking" and immoral

PLOT It is the story of a young woman’s gradual awakening. - sexuality -

PLOT It is the story of a young woman’s gradual awakening. - sexuality - individual "being" - longing for an independence - suicide

She was very important as one of the earliest examples of modernism American Literature.

She was very important as one of the earliest examples of modernism American Literature.

Romantic elements & The Awakening - the exotic locale - use of color -

Romantic elements & The Awakening - the exotic locale - use of color - heavy emphasis on nature - romantic theme: individuality and freedom - rebellion against society and death

Edna - two extremes in life - completely alone = romanticism & - frequent

Edna - two extremes in life - completely alone = romanticism & - frequent inner thoughts - memories of childhood - the personified sea (nature) - the mysterious woman in black - the romantic music, dinner party - desire to express herself

Naturalism & The Awakening - Edna as hostage to her biology - She is

Naturalism & The Awakening - Edna as hostage to her biology - She is female (children & wife) - society dictates behavior - "no attempt to suppress her impulses" - welfare of her children

Local Color & The Awakening - characterizations of the people - the descriptions of

Local Color & The Awakening - characterizations of the people - the descriptions of places - fundamental meaning of the story - Creole society and its social mores - women making choices that create a life

STYLE: Chopin interested in how one tells the story as the story itself.

STYLE: Chopin interested in how one tells the story as the story itself.

Perspective – multiple Point of view Imagery

Perspective – multiple Point of view Imagery

Appearance in reality: - seen in the New Orleans experience - things are not

Appearance in reality: - seen in the New Orleans experience - things are not always what they seem - things are different to different players.

All of these formed her style - theme based - her stories were very

All of these formed her style - theme based - her stories were very short - she was experimenting with style

Women’s Rights: - Chopin: was not a feminist nor a suffragist - took women

Women’s Rights: - Chopin: was not a feminist nor a suffragist - took women extremely seriously - due to her background (mother …) -

- lack of interest in feminism and suffrage: she simply had a different understanding

- lack of interest in feminism and suffrage: she simply had a different understanding of freedom. - Freedom = “character of living your life within the constraints that the world makes [or] your God offers you, because all of us do live within constraints. ”

Religion: - influence of Catholicism - she promoted the idea that every human person

Religion: - influence of Catholicism - she promoted the idea that every human person could be excellent and valuable

Social Classes: - Black v. White - Rich v. Poor - Male v. Female

Social Classes: - Black v. White - Rich v. Poor - Male v. Female - comfortable with difference - part of life

Theme: - No true beauty without complexity or conflict - tragedy and complexity are

Theme: - No true beauty without complexity or conflict - tragedy and complexity are needed

Story information: Creole: is a ‘white person descended from the French or Spanish settlers

Story information: Creole: is a ‘white person descended from the French or Spanish settlers of Louisiana and the Gulf States and preserving their characteristic speech and culture. ’. . .

Three groups: 1) whites - highest class 2) free Blacks - emancipated slaves middle

Three groups: 1) whites - highest class 2) free Blacks - emancipated slaves middle class 3) slaves household property the lowest class They had a complex social organization which included foreign groups: Germans, Irish, and Spaniards.

Culture: - father was dominant - his word was law - not always a

Culture: - father was dominant - his word was law - not always a faithful spouse - ruled like a king - dutiful in the sense he went places with his wife

Young men: - given their own quarters - entertainment - had mistresses (Black or

Young men: - given their own quarters - entertainment - had mistresses (Black or mulatto) - couldn’t marry them - accepted custom - marriages = business - wives = passive and ‘innocent’ lovers

Young Women: - needed a dowry - marry before 25 years old - “coming

Young Women: - needed a dowry - marry before 25 years old - “coming out” event (theater) - beginning search for a husband

Other customs: - weddings on Mon. or Tues. - bouquet = relative’s grave -

Other customs: - weddings on Mon. or Tues. - bouquet = relative’s grave - the family signed the register - bride’s home for the banquet - bride cuts the cake (pieces to single girls) - cake put under their pillows - bride and groom spent their honeymoon in her parents’ house (bedroom = 5+)

Three kinds of French: - traditional French - Acadian - Black Creole - Louisiana

Three kinds of French: - traditional French - Acadian - Black Creole - Louisiana natives = francophone French-speaking