A woman named Edna follows her own emotions and thoughts, instead of social norms. She starts out as a good house wife with a good husband and two kids. However her emotions over take her when she becomes closer with Robert. Her new found lover. She does not mean to despise her husband; however, she later does. She loves her children and would give her life for the two boys, but will not give herself up for them. She does not really understand what that means, she just knows that she feels this way.

Robert leaves for mexico, and leaves Edna in a depression. She has not yet admitted her feelings for him, but she knows she has them. She then finds out from a friend that he feels the same way. When Robert comes back he avoids her, because he is not supposed to fall for a married woman. Even though she is married she can not stop herself for falling for him. She encounters him, and he walks her home. They then forget all social norms, and only think about there hearts. They kiss! Robert leaves her a note saying that he loves her and that is why he must go. She is hurt so bad that she goes for a swim. Robert taught her how to swim. She saw so far out in the ocean that her body can go no farther, and then she only thinks about him as she goes.

The Awaking, by Kate Chopin, is a beautiful book. The words flow with each other in a way that is very hard to find in other books. The french in the book also helps make the setting and the characters come alive in the reader’s mind. This is book is very bold for it’s time. You wont find many other books like this one written in that time frame; simply because most woman were not bold enough to do so. Either way, this book should be a college bound book. According to the website edsitement.neh.gov, “Students explore how Chopin stages the possible roles for women in time and culture in the novella as well as exploring the author’s life, culture, and literary traditions.” She shows not just woman but everyone to be true to themselves. No matter what the social norms are. The writer Derek Spencer also belies this a college bound book. He even says that “The desire to break free from expectations and restrictions is a concept just about anyone can relate to, which is why The Awakening is such a pertinent read. Edna’s struggle is present, real, and certainly worthy of an in-depth analysis in the classroom. Especially with its haunting conclusion, the novel is sure to provoke perceptive reflection and stay with students long after they leave the classroom.”

Works Cited Page

https://edsitement.neh.gov/feature/edsitements-recommended-reading-list-college-bound-students https://www.prestwickhouse.com/blog/post/2015/07/how-to-teach-the-awakening

Dear Editor, I was wondering how you could feel this way? yes, I agree, the book does have a good flow. However, the story line is just not that great. The woman kills her self instead of fighting for her lover. She gives up everything to get nothing. This book does not have that much inspiration in it. Just sorrow, so how could you say that it is an inspiration? Also, I agree that you should be who you are, but she was married, she had kids, she had a life, and many other things. She was willing to give it all up for an afar, no matter the costs . She would have hurt her husband, and not to mention her kids. She was willing to hurt everyone just so she could be happy. How is that okay? How was her happiness above all others around her? Sincerely, Anonymous

Dear Editor, l do not know why you feel this book is a good book. I have went through some thing similar. My wife killed herself because she had a lover, and could not be with him. She could have talked to me. I could have tried to change. Instead she went and did what ever she wanted. She left not only me but my two kids, and I just don’t understand why she would do that. How is he more important than her whole life, her whole family? It has taken years for us to get over her. Now I am raising my kids on my own, and they have no mother. I loved her, and always wanted her to be happy. However, she never gave me the opportunity to do that for her. Sincerely, Mr. Pontellier

There are many different themes in the book The Awaking. However, the main theme is never confine your self for some one else, or because of social norms. Edna finally realizes this by what she has been doing. She goes against everything and loves Robert. When Robert tries to acknowledge the social norms of her husband controlling her she says that “You have been a very, very foolish boy, wasting your time dreaming of impossible things when you speak of Mr. Pontellier setting me free! I am no longer one of Mr. Pontellier’s possessions to dispose of or not. I give myself where I choose. If he were to say, ‘Here, Robert, take her and be happy; she is yours,’ I should laugh at you both.” Edna refuses to be confined any longer, so she becomes her own person. After she gave up her worries about social norms and what her husband, she felt happier. In chapter 19 the author even says that “There were days when she was very happy without knowing why. She was happy to be alive and breathing, when her whole being seemed to be one with the sunlight, the color, the odors, the luxuriant warmth of some perfect Southern day. She liked then to wander alone into strange and unfamiliar places. She discovered many a sunny, sleepy corner, fashioned to dream in. And she found it good to dream and to be alone and unmolested.” She was happy. She was free.

Edna Pontellier was a free spirited woman. She was the wife of Leonce Pontellier, and the mother of Etienne and Raoul Pontellier. She loved to draw and paint. She was very talented at it to. She started to sell them, and she saved up enough to by a house with the money from her paintings and her winnings from the track. She also loved to go to the race track and bid on which horse would win. She was often right, and won a lot of money from doing this.

Leonce Pontellier was a traditional man. He was the Husband of Edna Pontellier, and the father of Etienne and Raoul Pontellier. He was a respected man of the community. He was a wealthy man; who enjoyed staying out late to gamble his money. He was a very generouis man, and loved sending gifts to his family while he was away.

Robert Lebrun was a passionate man. He was the son of madame Lebrun, and the brother of Victor Lebrun. He enjoyed the company of many different people. He occasionally enjoyed a rolled cigarette. He went to mexico for a short time, but liked stay close by his family and friends. He passionately loved reading and music.

Mademoiselle Reisz was an independent woman. She was not married and childless. She devoted most of her time in being an amazing pianist. That is exactly what she accomplished. She was very well known for her talent. She enjoyed being on her own, and having the freedom that she had.

The first place is Grand Isle. It is located in Louisiana. Right on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It is beautiful. During the summer the sun loves to come down and kiss your face. The waters become very playful, as if they are inviting you in. The wind seems to hide, and when you find it, it is a blessing to all. The palm trees become the favorite decor for the season, and are every where. The shade will become one of your favorite hiding spots from the sun. You can sit there with a friend as you have a conversation, you can join in with the waters for some fun, or simply lay out in the sun, and let the warmth cover you like a blanket.

New Orleans is a very social place. Many people come for the music and fellowship that comes with this loving place. Along with high social class people that live there. There are many different cafes which many people enjoy. It is a very homey place. There are many musicians, and they seem take over the city at night. The sound will draw you in like honey draws ants.

Edna causes the conflict, but she had every right to do so. Edna knows that her husband is not a bad man. However, she will not let him control her. Edna wakes up, and sees everything that is wrong with her marriage. Her husband tries to hold her down. Make her confine to his norms, what he feels looks good, and what he thinks is best. She does not have a lot of say, and one night she realizes this. She stands up to her husband. She finds her passion, her joy, and the life she was meant to live. She even finds her true love. Social norms tell her to forget about her lover. However, she won’t. She knows what she wants, and how it should be. She moves out of her husbands home, and into a small house that she bought with her own money. Her and her lover start their relationship. Edna get so close to winning, but social norms have a hold on her lover. He leaves her a note one night saying “I love you and that is why I must go.” Edna is in pieces. The love of her life, the one that made her see things right, the one who truly loved her, and the one that taught her to swim and be free was gone. In her pain she goes for a swim. Swimming as far as she could go out, and even though her body hurt she kept going pushing herself. Her body ran out of energy, and she refused to look back at the shore.

New store Just opened. Just down the street from the cafe. We have plenty of pen, pencils, paper, paint, and many other art supplies. Please come and see us.

The summer is coming again. Everyone loves this time of year. But do you know what would make it an even better time for you and your family? Coming down and staying in one of our cabin down by the ocean for the whole summer!

Horse Race this Saturday. No fee to get in, so you better hurry and get a spot before they all fill up. It will be a great social event for the whole family. You can put down money if you think you know who the winner will be. There will also be bidding on horses after the races.