Constant Change

Wake up. Go to sleep. Wake up. Go to sleep.
Perhaps I need a change in my life as well.

Just Keep Swimming ♬

"She wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before," and that is exactly what Edna does. Realizing how 'easy' it is, she goes more and more away from shore, until she is suddenly struck by the fear that she might have come too far and that she might not have the strength to make it back. But she makes it anyways.

The moment of truth.

Edna has finally become 'independent', separate from the social constraints put on her. This moment of swimming far out symbolizes her freedom and shows her confidence in her newfound self-awareness. However, the fear that something might go wrong is still present, and Edna might not have had the full realization yet.

The effects of this recent awakening can be seen a bit later, at night, when Mr. Pontellier asks Edna to come in. Edna downright refuses. She states that at any other time, "she would have gone in at his request. She would, through habit, have yielded to his desire; not with any sense of submission or obedience to his compelling wishes, but unthinkingly, as we walk, move, sit, stand, go through the saily treadmill of the life which has been portioned out to [women]." This irritates Mr. Pontellier, who continuously asks Edna to come in and is refused every time. Edna makes herself clear, saying that she will not answer him back if she is talked to in a commanding way again. Later, when Edna cannot hold back the sleep any longer, she goes in and asks Mr. Pontellier to come in, and he replies that he will, after finishing his cigar.

This scene not only shows a different, transformed Edna from before, but it also indicates that Mr. Pontellier cannot really do anything about it. In the end, however, Edna goes to sleep, and when she asks Mr. Pontellier whether he will come in, he says he will, later. This implies that Edna doesn't have the choice of going to bed at the time she wants to, while Mr. Pontellier does.

Although the oppresion continues, the change has begun.


Change.

Speaking of change, I shall be calling Mr. Pontellier by the name 'Leonce' from now and on. Mr. Pontellier is way too long. And formal.

AIWBB

Trapped

Welcome back.

As a continuation from last time, let us go further in terms of The Awakening.

Remember last time I said something about female oppression back then? How I said that it was pretty normal for the woman? If you didn't remember, well, there it is.

Kate Chopin made it quite obvious too, but now, it is a bit more obvious-er. Yes, it's that redundant (and wrong).

Eventually, a part comes when Edna (the wife) is hanging out with all her friends, and everyone, including Edna, declare that "Mr. Pontellier was the best husband in the world."

Well, it is true that Mr. Pontellier does seem to love Edna, but as mentioned in the previous text, it is more like a love towards a valuable piece of private property. She is seen as a person, but to a certain extent, somewhat 'less' of a person.

But he doesn't seem too bad, does he? I mean, he might act like that, but probably in the inside, he loves her very much and is completely satisfied about having Edna as his wife. (Plus, he sends her chocolate. That must be a sign of happiness and love!)

Haha. Just kidding.

The chapter that comes directly afterwards states: "It would have been a difficult matter for Mr. Pontellier to define to his own satisfaction or any one else's wherein his wife failed in her duty toward their children. It was something which he felt rather than perceived, and he never voiced the feeling without subsequent regret and ample atonement."

Not the happiest husband if you ask me.

It's pretty clear at this point that sexual/social constraints is a (or the) main topic of the book. It's the story of a woman trapped in a cage called 'marriage'.

Speaking of cages, let us rewind.

*REWINDING*

The book starts with the mention of a caged parrot. The parrot says "Allez vous-en! Allez vous-en! Sapristi! That's all right!"

At first, I just read over that and said "no big deal," but then I decided to translate that...
...and I had an epiphany.

"Go away! Go away! Good heavens! That's all right!"

Remember how I said this book is the story of a woman trapped in a cage called 'marriage'?
Oooh. The parrot happens to be trapped in a cage too.
What do you know? The parrot represents Edna.
I think.

If this is so, then there might be a character that represents "the mocking-bird that hung on the other side of the door." Interesting.

Also, I wonder whom the 'parrot' is addressing when it screams out all those things. Men? Life?

We'll find out soon.
Hopefully.