The Awakening
by Kate Chopin
Description:
'The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude' When 'The Awakening' was first published in 1899, charges of sordidness and immorality seemed to consign it into obscurity and irreparably damage its author's reputation. But a century after her death, it is widely regarded as Kate Chopin's great achievement. Through careful, subtle changes of style, Chopin shows the transformation of Edna Pontellier, a young wife and mother, who - with tragic consequences - refuses to be caged by married and domestic life, and claims for herself moral and erotic freedom. The Penguin English Library - collectable general readers' editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century to the end of the Second World War.
Reviews:
(3 months ago) |
04 Aug, 2024
I read the Awakening for the first time in high school and the subject matter always stuck with me. This summer, I decided to read it again and was immediately intrigued by Edna. Despite written in 1899, Edna's struggle to attain a sort of freedom within herself while living in a highly oppressive society still rings true today. The men in her life routinely felt they knew better than Edna and denied her true agency over herself.
I always found the end of the book fascinating because it parallels a scene in the beginning where Edna gets her first taste of freedom. Having her awakening coincide with her learning to swim and then ending in the same manner was unsettlingly brilliant.
I'm very glad that I decided to read this book again, it's very thought provoking. And I like to think of people in the late 1800s being scandalized by it.
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Challenge:
Read Around North America Challenge
Country:
United States of America
United States of America
Language:
EN
Genre:
Domestic fiction Psychology
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