(EDNA AND THE OTHER WOMEN)
1) What is a mother-woman and how is that description used to cement ideas of the roles and responsibilities of women at the turn of the century? What are the subtleties of things people require from you in order to become this type of woman? How does Edna not fit into this role? (It is all in the details.)
EDNA AND CREOLE SOCIETY (THIS IS IMPORTANT TO AN IDEA OF REGIONALISM COLORISM
2) What customs and beliefs of Edna Pontelier’s society are significant in relation to her psychological development? What attitudes and tendencies in the Creole characters does Edna have trouble adjusting to?
Respond to peers: Neveen Mustafa
SUB: RE: EDNA AND THE OTHER WOMEN
The term “mother-woman” refers to the idealized version of women prevalent during the turn of the century. It is a social construct that emphasizes a woman’s role as a mother and caretaker of the family, with little to no agency or independence outside of that role. This idealized version of women was heavily promoted and enforced in society at the time.
To become a mother-woman, women were expected to be self-sacrificing, nurturing, and submissive. They were expected to put their family’s needs above their own and maintain a perfect home and family life. Women were not allowed to pursue their own dreams and desires, as they were expected to focus solely on their roles as wives and mothers.
Edna, the protagonist of the novel, does not fit into the role of a mother-woman. She does not conform to the expectations placed on her by society and her husband. She does not enjoy being a mother or wife and desires more in life.
This is exemplified by the following quote: “Mrs.
Pontellier was not a mother-woman. The mother-women seemed to prevail that summer at Grand Isle. It was easy to know them, fluttering about with extended, protecting wings when any harm, real or imaginary, threatened their precious brood. They were women who idolized their children, worshiped their husbands, and esteemed it a holy privilege to idolized their children, worshiped their husbands, and esteemed it a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels.” ( Chopin, 554)
Respond to peers: Jimmy Peck
SUB: RE: EDNA AND CREOLE SOCIETY (THIS IS IMPORTANT TO AN IDEA OF REGIONALISM COLORISM
The largest thing blocking Mrs. Pontellier from fully connecting with Creole society is the way the Creoles communicate openly and directly.
They are depicted as a large, deeply connected family, who are inclined to say exactly what they feel with little worry for how it shall be received.
Chopin writes, “A characteristic which distinguished them and which impressed Mrs.
Pontellier most forcibly was their entire absence of prudery. Their freedom of expression was at first incomprehensible to her” (Chopin p. 555).
At one point, Madame Ratignolle reacts to a gloomy sentiment expressed by Edna, where she claims she sometimes feels aimless and unguided, by caressing her hand and exclaiming
“pauvre chérie” (“poor dear”). The narrator then adds that, “she was not accustomed to an outward and spoken expression of affection, either in herself or in others” (Chopin p. 561).
I think Edna is used to operating under the expectation that women perhaps are meant to be more reserved and keep their thoughts largely for themselves, and to be exposed to a culture that embraces open expression is an adjustment that is not immediately easy for her to overcome.
