Awakening: Edna Pontellier Edna Pontellier Term Paper

Total Length: 804 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 3

" (p.10)

This was a strong realization and one that shifted Edna's focus from her marriage, husband and her children to herself. She started looking inwards to understand herself and to find her place in the world. Is she meant to be a mother and wife alone? Doesn't she have some needs that must be fulfilled? Shouldn't she be allowed to live a life on her own terms? These questions originated in her mind and disturbed her. But they also helped her become more aware of her needs and what she really wanted.

Mrs. Pontellier was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an individual to the world within and about her. This may seem like a ponderous weight of wisdom to descend upon the soul of a young woman of twenty-eight -- perhaps more wisdom than the Holy Ghost is usually pleased to vouchsafe to any woman." (p. 16)

There are two other important female characters in the story namely Mademoiselle Reisz and Madame Lebrun. They are women who are different from Edna but offer an insight into the ways women can think. Reisz is a woman that Edna doesn't get along with but admires all the same. She likes the fact that Reisz can play piano, enjoys music and understands art- all the things that Edna herself loved.

Stuck Writing Your "Awakening: Edna Pontellier Edna Pontellier" Term Paper?

But Reisz was a woman who could really be a straight shooter at times. She would cause great discomfort to Edna and make her feel unhappy. "Edna looked down at Mademoiselle Reisz and wondered how she could have listened to her venom so long. For some reason she felt depressed, almost unhappy." (p. 55)

Madame Lebrun on the other hand was a completely conventional woman. She was mother of the man Edna had fallen in love with and was the type of woman that doted on her children. But she was biased in her love for her children. While she would spoil Victor, she didn't pay as much attention to Robert.

The story presents an interesting tapestry of female characters that vary in their behavior and outlook. Edna is one the far end of the spectrum as she is highly unconventional but there are some other minor female characters that are on the other end with their highly conventional views. Reisz is also unconventional while….....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Awakening Edna Pontellier Edna Pontellier" (2007, November 08) Retrieved June 6, 2026, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/awakening-edna-pontellier-edna-pontellier-73458

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Awakening Edna Pontellier Edna Pontellier" 08 November 2007. Web.6 June. 2026. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/awakening-edna-pontellier-edna-pontellier-73458>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Awakening Edna Pontellier Edna Pontellier", 08 November 2007, Accessed.6 June. 2026,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/awakening-edna-pontellier-edna-pontellier-73458