Posted by Kim Mraz (130.86.26.160) on July 11, 2005 at 5:45:11 p.m.:
In Reply to: Question One: The Awakening posted by Jeanne Guerin on July 8, 2005 at 8:52:43 a.m.:
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>Discuss depictions of femininity as modeled by Edna Pontellier and Adele Ratignolle and masculinity as modeled by Mr. Pontellier and Robert Lebrun. Read and reply to others, by Tuesday at 10 pm.
I think that Edna Pontellier and Adele Ratignolle are vastly different in this novel. Edna is a woman who enjoys her self, she is a very self governing woman and she is also self supporting. Although she is independent from her husband, she needs that sense of closness and "unity." Adele is unlike Edna because she is dependent upon her husband. She needs to know that she is appreciated and needed by her husband. Adele needs to have that feeling of self worth. Adele also has to have the approval of the society in which she lives, if she does not have that feeling she becomes afraid of what may become of her. Mr. Pontellier and Robert Lebrum are also very different but they do have a couple things in common such as Edna Pontellier. Robert is younger just as Edna is and so it seems that they have more in common with each other. Robert turns on his charm to her and therefore Mr. Pontellier and Robert want the same thing but in different ways. Both Robert and Mr. Pontellier are all about money, beautiful women and most importantly power. Mr. Pontellier tries to make Edna do certain things no matter the importance. Robert does not pressure her, but he does do his best to convince her of making certain "wrong" decisions.