The Awakening Literary Analysis

Noah Hill
AP Language and Composition
13 August 2015

The Awakening: Literary Criticism Summaries.
In Cynthia Griffin Wolff’s analysis of the novel The Awakening, Wolff identifies Edna’s struggle with sexual identity, and exploits in conveying her experience of displaying primitive behaviors, through utilization of Freudian psycho analysis. Wolff further supports her thesis through utilization of literary and cultural analysis. It is argued that her interactions with others sexually is uninteresting, and devoid of any sexual gratification, “… however, once she is by herself, left to seek restful sleep, Edna seems somewhat to revive, and the tone shifts from one of exhaustion to one of sensuous, leisurely enjoyment of her own body,” (Wolff,
Franklin, it is asserted that the essence of Psyche and Eros, or desire, are accurate descriptions of Edna’s journey to discovering her identity both sexually and existentially. Franklin offers many comparisons between the story of Psyche and Eros compared to the journey of Edna throughout the duration of the novel. For instance, Robert’s departure to Mexico is compared to Eros’ departure from Psyche, both as a result of the mixed feelings of the female’s journey towards independence, which is met with a taboo outlook. Furthermore, Franklin describes the struggles of Edna, that displays a, “… struggle as narrowly pathological rather than universally human,” (Franklin, 510). Ultimately, “Edna must differentiate between her sexual awakening and her awakening to self, a difficulty because both are occurring simultaneously,” (519). Franklin consistently describes the challenges of Edna as similar to those faced by Psyche within mythology, especially concerning the awakening of consciousness as well as of sexuality that compiles itslef into overwhelming and suicidal propensities. Especially after Robert leaves Edna, she finds herself at a loss or a “pain of separation” (520) very similar to the pain experienced by Psyche after having been deserted by Eros. Although with this loss of a partner, Edna does begin to finally experience her identity within the world, looking to finally reach the apex of her
Treu first identifies that the common notion by readers and critics alike assumes that Edna commits suicide at the end of the novel. Treu quotes Suzanne Wolkenfield on the matter remarking, “… ‘The feminist fatalism of presenting Edna as the victim of an oppressive society…,’(Treu, 22). Treu later counters these assumptions stating, “Of course the inference of Edna’s suicide has more to support it … but the supporting evidence has often been contradictory, as we shall see,” (22). Treu offers to utilize the ideas of Russian theoretician, Mikhail Bakhtin, in order to corroborate the notion that Edna did not actually face her demise. Treu derives a critical argument from the idea of “heteroglossia”. Heteroglossia is defined as the presence of multiple expressed viewpoints confined within a literary work. Treu identifies that Chopin utilizes different tones as well as perspectives in order to achieve an effect of heteroglossia. In turn, this utilization helps Treu assert his notion of Edna’s survival, as these differing perspectives, do not account for a straightforward or clear analysis as to the actual fate of the protagonist within the novel itself. It is further noted that the experiences that would have been the cause of her contemplation of suicide would