I am surprized we are going to discuss a piece with such "frank sensuality and sympathetic portrayal of an adulterous heroine"; I dont want Paizo to get upset; peeps take care what you say; this might be hard to discuss with any depth on this site :|
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-Okay, taking your advice, I'll Copy/Paste this when I'm done.-
(VALEGRIM): I think if you just go post by post and stop if one warns of a spoiler, it'll be okay. Ch.6 of The Awakening is a good starting point. This post is about to contain spoilers from after CH. 6.
This is a rewrite of last night's Grades for the characters. See what you think and feel free to add your own.
Mme. Reisz A+
Best character in the novel. Strong, independent, a talented pianist, harsh but reliable, realistic but helpful, and a great inspiration for Edna. And, man, she's one cold-hearted lady -- gotta love her. One of the best scenes in the novel portrays this lady feeling Edna's shoulder blades to see if she has strong enough wings, necessary in order to "fly" to independence, Great stuff. All the greater since we learn Edna is not strong enough. Or at least, not stronger than the sea!
Viktor Lebrun B
LOL. You gotta love this AszHole. This momma's boy is barely even a character in the novel and he successfully ruins Robert's whole life -- just by being Mom's favorite, and a complete dick to boot.
Edna's Mom in Kentucky B-
{a character who dies even before the story takes place}
Man, talk about the author's voice for women's rights. This lady commits suicide to escape society's demands and her husband's oppression. *Way to go Edna -- you're the "main" character and you actually make it a few states away before you die!
Alcee Arobin C-
Man, this guy sucks -- awesome guy yet has an affair with a married lady and don't even get nailed. Of course, he's redeemed with that gorgeous description of his and Edna's night together -- among the best written scenes in the book. Though he doesn't get laid.
Adele Ratignolle D-
Now, early in the book she's great. The ideal lady: beautiful!, effervescent!, sensual and pleasant! She's described as the friggin Madonna! And man does she know how to get attention, complaining about her "condition" which seems to be about as real as Robert's actually going to Mexico. Doh! Of course, at the end she and Edna both die of their inability to follow through with their puposes for life. Edna we can excuse because she's up against the Ocean of society (one don't beat Nature) -- Adele... dies in childbirth. Weak!
Robert Lebrun F
Loser.
The Gulf of Mexico A+
The most important character in the novel is the Sea itself. Its incessant, seductive whisper simmers through everything Edna is -- and Edna is drawn to it even without will. Heck, you could quote the scenes illustrating the Gulf and poster your mantles with them, read them over a campfire, anything, and your life will be fulfilled.
-W. E. Ray
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
When I read the title The Awakening I imagined the book was about the sexual liberation of a progressive woman around the turn of the century (the last century.) The publisher’s comments on the back cover told us how this book precipitated the author into being ostracized from contemporary literary circles. This made me imagine the book to be full of delicious sensuality banned from proper society 100 years ago. And, that Chopin had pushed the boundaries so far coeval authors were embarrassed to be seen with her.
My anticipation was primed. I hid in an empty room, after everyone had gone to bed, prepared to read juicy prose of a daring woman’s romantic encounters. I hoped to encounter a grand spirit, blazing a trail for women everywhere, righting social injustices and damning ignorance to the darkness.
I was denied!
Nay, I was duped! Was I fooled by a marketing gimmick? Could a dastardly ploy have induced me into reading this book? Where was the social commentary, not to mention the nubile delight? It appears this is a novel inked with void. It is all hype. Like a box of cracker jacks with out a prize. Thank the stars I checked this book out of the library and didn't pay money for it.
The reason the author was kicked out of her contemporary literary society is that this book blooows!!! (sadly, not like that.) It is so bad, after reading the ending I groaned out loud in pain, and promptly tossed it into the toilet. I now know coeval authors were embarrassed to be seen with Chopin after this folly.
The only positive comment I can make about this piece of s$#@ is that it may find purchase as a case study for undiagnosed mental illness. And, I quote: "Oh, dear me. I live a life of comfort. I have social status. I can secretly screw men while my husband is away for months at a time. I’m in love, no I am out of love, oh… oh… poor me. Save me mommy. I know, I will kill myself! Yay, that’s the ticket… to hell."
After this, I may never read again….