The Awakening America Was Not Ready For Edna Pontellier...

The late nineteenth century was a time of great social, technological, and cultural change for America. Boundaries were rapidly evolving. New theories challenging age-old beliefs were springing up everywhere, such as Darwins natural selection. This post-Civil War era also gave men and women opportunities to work side-by-side, and in 1848, the first womans rights conference was held in Seneca Fall, New York. These events leading up to the twentieth century had polished the way for the new, independent woman to be introduced. Women at all levels of society were active in attempts to better their lot, and the New Woman, the late nineteenth-century equivalent of the liberated woman, was much on the public mind (Culley 117).†¦show more content†¦This radiant review raised the public’s expectations as they fervently waited for the novel’s release. Yet something had gone amiss, and instead of the expected warm praise from critics that Chopin was expecting, The Awakening was assailed with unflattering reviews. Critics considered the novel as distasteful, immoral, and a disgrace to American literature. All the pre-publishing hype led the public feeling cheated. Many thought the romanticism of sexual impurity offensive, and consequently denounced its theme. The fact that Chopin was already a successful and popular writer further propelled the uncomfortable shock with which critics viewed The Awakening. Because of Chopins success with her earlier works, Bayou Folk, At Fault, and A Night in Acadie, critics expected more of what Chopin was known for: realism and local color. They expected a novel with plush vivid language, colorful characters, and basically, a projection of Louisianan Creole life. Yes, there was local color, however, critics were too shocked and dismayed at Edna Pontelliers behavior to notice, and considered Chopins novel morose and missing literary worth. The biggest confusion for critics was why Chopin with her undeniable writing talents would contribute to the overworked field of sex fiction (Seyersted 219). Because Chopins earlier worksShow MoreRelatedFemale Empowerment in Kate Chopins The Awakening7915 Words   |  32 Pages â€Å"The Awakening† Anjana Dhir BA Englisch KF, Geschichte NF 3. Semester Table of Contents 1. Introduction 3 2. The French – Creole society of Louisiana 4 2.1 Cultural background 4 2.2 French-Creole women 5 3. The Role of Women 6 4.1 Edna vs. Madame Ratignolle 7 3.1.1 â€Å"A Valuable Piece of Property† 7 3.1.2 Edna – The UnusualRead MoreEdna Pontellier’s Search for Independence in Chopins The Awakening2644 Words   |  11 PagesEdnas Search for Independence in The Awakening      Ã‚  Ã‚   How do you honor the deepest truth you know? --Ram Das  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In order to honor ones deepest truth, one must first discover what that truth is and then apply that truth to everyday life.   The life of Edna Pontellier in The Awakening signifies the search, discovery, and application of an individuals deepest truth.   Edna, a wealthy New Orleans housewife, at first attempts to find the deepest truth about herself by conforming to societysRead MoreThe Awakening, the Story of an Hour, and Desirees Baby2934 Words   |  12 PagesThe Awakening, The Story of an Hour and Desiree’s Baby By: Destiny Frye Title The Awakening: The novel was titled â€Å"The Awakening,† because the main character Edna Pontellier goes through a series of liberations that cause her to â€Å"awaken† or become aware of her The Story of an Hour: The title refers to the actual duration of the story. All the events that take place in the story can happen in the time frame of an hour. Desiree’s Baby: The title refers to one of the main characters, ArmandRead MoreThe Awakening Study Guide9992 Words   |  40 PagesThe Awakening Study Guide CHAPTER 1 1. Explain how the parrot and the mockingbird are used to introduce this chapter. They provide disruptive sound images. The parrot is saying, â€Å"Go away! Go away! For Heaven’s sake!† The mockingbird whistles with â€Å"maddening persistence.† 2. Describe Là ©once Pontellier. He appears to be a successful New Orleans businessman. He is neat and orderly in appearance and has an impatient manner. He and his wife, Edna, and their two children are vacationing at Grand IsleRead MoreEssay on The Importance of Point of View in Kate Chopin’s Fiction3285 Words   |  14 PagesThe Importance of Point of View in Kate Chopin’s Fiction The impact of Kate Chopin’s novel, The Awakening, on society resulted in her ruin, both literary and social. Reviewers called it vulgar, improper, unhealthy, and sickening. One critic said that he wished she had never written it, and another wrote that to truly describe the novel would entail language not fit for publication (Stipe 16). The overwhelming condemnation of the entire book rather than just Edna’s suicide seems surprising