The AwakeningThe Awakeningby Kate Chopinby Kate Chopin

Setting Setting

• 1899- Victorian period-strict codes of 1899- Victorian period-strict codes of conduct- especially in the upper conduct- especially in the upper classes- and especially with regard to classes- and especially with regard to sexuality- Darwin and Freud were sexuality- Darwin and Freud were major playersmajor players

• Rural isolation of- beach community Rural isolation of- beach community of Grand Isle, LAof Grand Isle, LA

• Urban hustle- Esplanade Street and Urban hustle- Esplanade Street and the French Quarter the French Quarter

The People:The People: Presbyterian Southerner Presbyterian Southerner and the Catholic Creoles and the Catholic Creoles

• The Presbyterian Southerner (from Kentucky)– Edna and her familyThe Presbyterian Southerner (from Kentucky)– Edna and her family

• The Creoles- Leonce and his friends The Creoles- Leonce and his friends

- Descendants of French and Spanish settlers born in LA (in - Descendants of French and Spanish settlers born in LA (in AwakeningAwakening))OR OR – Mixed Spanish, French, African (free coloreds)- born in LouisianaMixed Spanish, French, African (free coloreds)- born in Louisiana

OROR– Free people of color who lived alongside the European settlersFree people of color who lived alongside the European settlers

Map of LouisianaMap of Louisiana

The home in the cityThe home in the city

Grand Isle- The vacation homeGrand Isle- The vacation home

Symbol AlertSymbol AlertTry your hand at some predictions now.Try your hand at some predictions now.

• ArtArt• BirdsBirds• Food; DiningFood; Dining• Swimming and WaterSwimming and Water• MusicMusic• Sleep and AwakeningSleep and Awakening

Carefully considerCarefully consider……

the ending because it is typical, yet the ending because it is typical, yet ambiguous… Hmmmmmmmm. Be ambiguous… Hmmmmmmmm. Be ready to discuss your view on what ready to discuss your view on what actually happens here and why and actually happens here and why and be able to relate it to the theme.be able to relate it to the theme.

Keeps these topics (which are motifs at this point) in mind and Keeps these topics (which are motifs at this point) in mind and try to formulate themes around the topics. Themes are try to formulate themes around the topics. Themes are complete sentences - not morals or clichés, but rather what complete sentences - not morals or clichés, but rather what the author is communicating to us about society, human the author is communicating to us about society, human nature, the time period … Not all of them will be applicable to nature, the time period … Not all of them will be applicable to you- these are NOT the only ideas out there, so please you- these are NOT the only ideas out there, so please formulate your own ideas as well.formulate your own ideas as well.

RepressionRepressionPersonal freedomPersonal freedom

Role of womenRole of womenSearch for selfSearch for self

Alienation and lonelinessAlienation and lonelinessConsequences of choiceConsequences of choice

Keep in mind the critical theories we have Keep in mind the critical theories we have been discussing as well. Be ready to discuss been discussing as well. Be ready to discuss what you have read in terms of all 3 lenses. what you have read in terms of all 3 lenses. These are outlined in your text.These are outlined in your text.•MarxistMarxist•FeministFeminist•PsychoanalyticPsychoanalytic

Always consider…Always consider…• your short story units and your notes onyour short story units and your notes on

– pov, characterization, setting, structure/ pov, characterization, setting, structure/ organization, symbolism, tone, and themeorganization, symbolism, tone, and theme

– FosterFoster– Note progression, trace themes, note transformations– it Note progression, trace themes, note transformations– it

is called is called The AwakeningThe Awakening!!!!• trusting your judgment. trusting your judgment. Trustworthy Trustworthy outside outside

sources should be used to supplement your sources should be used to supplement your reading- not replace it.reading- not replace it.Please check out Please check out

http://www.loyno.edu/~kchopin/GO, LOYOLA!!!!!GO, LOYOLA!!!!!

You will be writing an open response You will be writing an open response oror a prose-passage response for this a prose-passage response for this work, so please read carefully and work, so please read carefully and

takes notes in your novel section, or takes notes in your novel section, or maybe on stickies or by highlighting maybe on stickies or by highlighting

and jotting down noteworthy analytical and jotting down noteworthy analytical insights.insights.

Pg #s will facilitate discussion.Pg #s will facilitate discussion.Novella discussion dates beginNovella discussion dates begin

October 26thOctober 26th