Freudian Analysis Of Chopin's The Awakening
Freudian Analysis of The Awakening Chopin relates her literary work to her personal life. She uses the protagonist, Edna Pontellier, to reflect on her life. In The Awakening Chopin focuses on the French Creole culture in Edna Pontellier’s society. She grew up in the Creole culture and also experienced it through marriage (Feminist Writers). Because she has firsthand knowledge of this culture, she uses it in her writings. Edna is not the typical French Creole woman. She becomes disobedient towards her husband, has affairs, and does not truly care about her children. Edna and Chopin are very similar; they are also different. Edna Pontellier was married to businessman Leonce Pontellier (Chopin, 6). Kate Chopin was also married to a businessman,
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Chopin's father, Thomas O'Flaherty, died when she was a young child (Contemporary Authors Online). Her father’s passing deeply affected her. In the book, Chopin decided to have Edna’s mother pass away when she was young. Both Edna and Chopin know the feeling of losing a parent at an early age. Chopin became much closer with her mother and great-grandmother after the incident (Contemporary Authors Online). Her great-grandmother taught Chopin how to play the piano and also taught her how to speak French. In The Awakening, Mademoiselle Reisz and Adèle Ratignolle both play the piano. The piano represents both of these characters who play large roles in Edna’s awakening. They each represent her independence in her awakening. Chopin’s great-grandmother taught her tales of her French ancestors. She taught her so much French that she began speaking it more fluently than English (Wolff, Cynthia Griffin). French is frequently spoken by the characters throughout the book. The location in The Awakening are references to locations Chopin has visited before. Kate and Oscar Chopin moved to New Orleans. This is where the book takes place. She became friends with a German singer and actress here. Chopin was inspired by her. She was still an individual even through marriage (Contemporary Authors Online). This woman is perhaps where the idea for The Awakening came from. Chopin and her family also spend their summers at the Creole resort,
Chopin's father, Thomas O'Flaherty, died when she was a young child (Contemporary Authors Online). Her father’s passing deeply affected her. In the book, Chopin decided to have Edna’s mother pass away when she was young. Both Edna and Chopin know the feeling of losing a parent at an early age. Chopin became much closer with her mother and great-grandmother after the incident (Contemporary Authors Online). Her great-grandmother taught Chopin how to play the piano and also taught her how to speak French. In The Awakening, Mademoiselle Reisz and Adèle Ratignolle both play the piano. The piano represents both of these characters who play large roles in Edna’s awakening. They each represent her independence in her awakening. Chopin’s great-grandmother taught her tales of her French ancestors. She taught her so much French that she began speaking it more fluently than English (Wolff, Cynthia Griffin). French is frequently spoken by the characters throughout the book. The location in The Awakening are references to locations Chopin has visited before. Kate and Oscar Chopin moved to New Orleans. This is where the book takes place. She became friends with a German singer and actress here. Chopin was inspired by her. She was still an individual even through marriage (Contemporary Authors Online). This woman is perhaps where the idea for The Awakening came from. Chopin and her family also spend their summers at the Creole resort,