I know this is frequently used (or always) in feminist studies in academia, so I've always wanted to read this, if for nothing else, to broaden my horizons. I enjoyed the book for a view of life during that period and the raw emotions exposed to the salty air. The affairs are similar, but the later novel is not so much steamy and seems more aimed at the female's point of view in the late 1800s toward sexual repression in a place that was undoubtedly more chauvinistic and backwards than France in the mid-1800s. The Awakening is, of course, set in the US, specifically in south Louisiana. Published 43 years after 'Madame Bovary' (1856) 'Awakening' (1899) is a lesser version but very similar. Had she been more sympathetic I might have felt more pity for her situation of being stuck with a man she did not love. I detested her, thought she was a blubbering baby much of the time and I found it hard to feel sorry for her because of how immature she acted. Edna Pontellier was a selfish woman from her awakening forward. A person's reaction will define his/her character as will his/her course after a weakness is revealed. The questions of 'what-if.' and 'why now.' will probably follow. The better question is how does one live with joy and gratitude after being awakened to new emotions, feelings and passions after years of commitment, loyalty and love to another? An awakening at some time in life (if even for fleeting moments) is a likelihood.

Better to sleep in peace than awake to nightmare?Ī question to ponder.

The awakening of kate chopin