In chapter XIX of The Awakening by Kate Chopin, Edna Pontellier begins to abandon her duties as a housewife in favor of allowing her emotions and caprices to guide her. She feels she acted foolishly by attempting to crush her wedding ring and smashing the vase. Deciding to follow her feelings as they come prevents them from building up and resulting in another overflow of emotion.
Mr. Pontellier is angered by Edna’s refusal to play housewife, and voices his disapproval. However, “[w]hen Mr. Pontellier became rude, Enda grew insolent,” (131). This reminded me of one of the first times Edna refused to submit to her husband back in chapter XI, when she stayed outside all night instead of coming into the house. Edna told him then to not speak rudely to her because she would not answer him, and it seems she is sticking to her word. Her insolence later in the book provides an opportunity for the reader to see how much she has changed, because abandoning her entire role as a housewife is much more serious than deciding to stay outside one night. As the narrator puts it, Mr. Pontellier “could not see that she was becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garment with which to appear before the world” (133).
Edna expresses herself through her art, and starts using members of the household as her subjects. Artistic expression in this novel is associated with individuality and freedom of emotion, and Edna’s devotion to her work implies a freeing of her soul. While she paints, she sometimes sings part of a song Robert sang to her. Music is another form of expression, but this song holds a certain significance. Robert complicated Edna’s life and helped to jumpstart her change of heart, and she is clearly still caught up on him. Singing the song reminds her of her time with him on the bay. Additionally, the words Edna sings are important. “Si tu savais” translates to “if you knew” or “if you only knew”. When Robert sang to Edna, it is likely he was thinking of his affection for her. Now, Edna is consumed, at least subconsciously, by thoughts of Robert and her own affections for him. However, neither are necessarily aware of the other’s feelings at the time each of them are singing. If they’d only known, perhaps something might have come from it.
The chapter ends with an explanation that Edna has happy days filled with dreams, discovery, and an appreciation for life itself; and that she has unhappy days comprised of an indifference to living, when life feels “like a grotesque pandemonium and humanity like worms struggling blindly toward inevitable annihilation” (135). The sharp contrast between Edna’s days are indicative of an underlying discontent. Although Edna may find an escape through her art, it is not enough to prevent overwhelming negative thoughts from ruining entire days.
The depressing end to the chapter suggests a slight depression within Edna herself. Sure, she may have some particularly happy times, but at the end of the day the particularly bad times persist.
Your analysis of Chapter 19 of is insightful and captures the evolving dynamics in Edna Pontellier’s character and her growing sense of individuality and defiance of societal norms! Here are some thoughts on your observations:
– Edna’s Insolence and Growth: You rightly point out Edna’s growing resistance to Mr. Pontellier’s expectations and her determination to assert her independence. Her refusal to play the role of a traditional housewife signifies a significant departure from her earlier compliance with societal norms. This transformation highlights her journey towards self-discovery and self-realization.
– The Significance of Music: The song “Si tu savais” carries emotional weight, as it connects Edna to her memories of Robert. It’s a reminder of their shared affection and the complexity of their relationship. The phrase “if you only knew” underscores the hidden depths of their emotions, hinting at the possibility of missed opportunities.
I like that you mention the sense of artistic values in this chapter because one part that stood out to me is that she didn’t let the idea of depression affect her art but the happiness that she dreams about and craves so deeply in her reality.