English 3318 students:
For your Friday, October 21, blog, please submit a comment of at least two well-developed paragraphs in which you discuss the meaning of music on pp. 567-569 (the last couple of pages of Chapter IX) and at the top of p. 580 (the last couple of paragraphs of Chapter XIV) of The Awakening. What is the biological effect of music in these moments in the novel? In your comment, quote from these pages to support your interpretation, and parenthetically cite the page of each quote you use.
At the end of your comment, please explain which of your favorite songs makes you feel the same way that Edna does in this part of the novel.
After you post your comment, please reply in one well-developed paragraph to one of the other students' comments.
Sincerely,
Dr. K
Although the readings were at a bit shorter of a length this week, they both still spoke volumes in terms of the beauty of music, as well as how that kind of beauty played a role in Edna’s journey to becoming more mindful of herself through music itself. For Edna, music acted as a lamp of navigation both physically, mentally and emotionally by seeing, “the very passions themselves (that) were aroused within her soul,” (Chopin pg 594). Although Edna referenced herself as “well-rendered”, and, “had a way of evoking pictures in her mind,” about the piece of music being played, she still goes on to describe how music quite literally physically affects her body, and even parts of her mind that she did not recognize needed attention (Chopin pg 594). After reading Edna’s personal perspective of her skill or mature and intelligent perspective of musical art, I first found her reactions to others playing music interesting and thought that her reactions were a lack of skill and maturity, but really it is quite the opposite. I believe that her naive recognition of her own analysis skills could have been a contributing factor to her reactions in these chapters.
ReplyDeleteA few examples of the biological effect music had on Edna are included even in the shorter parts of the chapters we read this week. The first example is when the character, Mademoiselle Reisz, is brought in to play the piano for the house guests, and Edna, of course, already has a preset idea and pictures painting themselves in her head before the pianist even starts to play. When the pianist proceeds to progress through her musical piece Edna, “trembled, she was choking, and the tears blinded her,” (Chopin pg 594). The passion and overwhelming senses of emotion and realization that are intertwined within pieces of music are what overcame Edna in these chapters. Although this reaction was written as it was happening to Edna, in the later chapter assigned, she mentions a different characteristic that music took on in her life, memory. When speaking of her lovely husband, she stated that music, “the voice, the notes, the whole refrain haunted her memory,” (Chopin pg 606). I think that this reaction from Edna can be one of two, or even both things. The first reason being, as I stated in the previous paragraph, that her preset naive recognition of her musical analysis skill caused an extreme reaction, or the second reason being that the music was ultimately the key to unlocking all of her doors of emotional and physical confusion or exploration she had not yet discovered.
When picking a song that makes me feel as Edna did in this part of the novel I could not determine how positive, negative, or both this music made Edna feel. Although I do not know the exact connotation behind her reactions, I do know that it moved Edna in a way she did not know how to express, even with her extensive experience and skill set of analysis. It is as if the music touched a part of her so deep, so young, so naive, so dark or even damaged, that the body had long forgotten, or quite literally refused to acknowledge due to the difficulty in healing that part of her. With this being said, music has moved me in this same way my entire life, both in positive, and in a more sad way. The song I chose use to move me in a way of pity I had felt for who I was and the situation I was in. The type of emotions and reactions Edna had to music, I experienced when first discovering and being able to relate to this song. I can now listen to this song, and feel a completely different way, disheartened. Disheartened by the fact of how touching this song was to my heart and mind at one point. Although I can write pages about the role and impact music has played in my life, the song I chose is titled, “Touch”, by the band Sleeping At Last.
Your comment, as always, has great insights into what we are truly reading. I love how in-depth you went into it and the quotes you chose to use. The way you say that she deems herself as a proper woman and yet here she is, unable to describe her feelings as she listens to a pianist play. She is even moved to tears, but can't pinpoint specific things she's feeling and can't see anything like she normally does. I like your interpretation of how she is using those emotions to unlock doors for herself that had been closed off; I think that is a great example of what music can do for people. It opens doors you previously thought were closed, now you have to take the initiative to walk through.
DeleteMusic, whether it be involved in just listening to it directly, hearing it as background noise in a movie, or even reading descriptions about it in books is incredibly important; music is something that causes people to feel things they don’t always know how to describe. Edna clearly feels something in Chapter IX but doesn’t necessarily know how to describe it. Biologically, we know that Edna can vividly picture scenes in her head whenever she hears a particular song. Someone can play and she might see, “…a dainty young woman clad in an Empire gown, taking mincing dancing steps as she came down a long avenue between tall hedges,” (Chopin, C-594). When Mademoiselle Reisz began playing for the guests, Edna couldn’t see anything in her mind. “The very first chords which Mademoiselle Reisz struck upon the piano sent a keen tremor down Mrs. Pontellier’s spinal column,” (Chopin, C-594). She waits to see the images and make sense of the emotion she’s feeling, but it never comes. Everyone in the room enjoyed her playing, but the biological affect her music had on Edna was noticeable enough that she was comforted by the pianist herself. “Mademoiselle Reisz perceived her agitation and even her tears. She patted her again upon the shoulder as she said:” (Chopin, C-594). The same can be said for Chapter XIV. Edna is recalling a song that Robert was singing; as she is sitting alone waiting on her husband to return home, she remembers this song and begins singing it softly. She didn’t want Robert to leave because she had a good time with him throughout the day. “The voice, the notes, the whole refrain haunted her memory,” (Chopin, C-606).
ReplyDeleteMusic is a huge part of my life; as I write this response, I have music playing to fill the silence. The music hits me differently, also, knowing that I can read music and hear the tone performers are wanting to give based on how they play and the key the music is in. I’ve always been in love with music that is keyed in minor; stuff that sounds either sad or spooky and mysterious always strikes a deeper emotion for me. Another thing is always the sounds of a strong low brass section. I used to play trumpet so I, of course, have a bias towards brass; but a great low brass section can provoke such intense feelings in me. Right now, something that makes me feel the way Edna did is actually from the soundtrack of the 2018 game God of War. The title track “God of War” is this incredibly intense theme song for the god of war himself, Kratos. As I write, I put this song on to write what I am feeling and I really am at a loss for words, similar to how Edna was. The only thing I can describe is this feeling of intensity. It gives me chills every time I listen to it.
The song itself is “God of War” composed by Bear McCreary.
I see that we both have different lenses we wear and perceive music with, Bailey. Although I have grown up playing piano in recitals my entire life, I still do not see music in terms of major and minor keys as you explained when describing your favorite music and why it resonates with you. As I was reading your piece, that I did not realize when I read or reflected on the chapters, is that, of course Edna was moved by the music, but because the author even mentions the act of the pianist comforting her after the presentation of her piece, I cannot help but wonder why the author includes that crucial piece of information. It makes me wonder the complexity and intensity that the impact of the musician has on not just the musical piece itself, but also on the listener directly and through the piece. Plus, I have not ever listened to the song you mentioned, it sounds enticing and moving. I will have to give it a listen.
DeleteI think it's interesting to see how differently we perceive music just as Abbie said. I think music is unique for every person, it makes everyone feel a different way. That to me is the beauty of life, nobody feels the same way about anything, but we do at the same time. We all prefer different music, yet we all use music to tap in to a more spiritual aspect of ourselves.
DeleteI totally agree with the previous comments! Everyone perceives music in different ways as one song may provoke completely different emotions amongst different people. This is a way that makes humans so special and incredible; we can all feel differently about things, like music.
DeleteMusic is something that everyone can enjoy, it makes the minds of man embark on mental journeys. The patterns of notes, melodies, and repetitions cause people to evolve emotionally and spiritually in my opinion. In the Awakening by Kate Chopin, it's clear to see that Edna has a passion for music, it's her muse. Every time music is played, a sense of peacefulness brushes over everyone that is listening, it says that, "a general air of surprise and genuine satisfaction fell upon every one as they saw the pianist enter" (Chopin 594). Biologically for Edna, and everyone else, music brings a sense of relief. Edna listens to the music and imagines scenes in her head of what the music is trying to portray in the minds of the listeners. The way the music makes Edna feel is indescribable, she goes through a range of emotions with each and every song that Mademoiselle Reisz plays. It isn't just the music that Mademoiselle Reisz plays that makes Edna feel such passionate emotions. Her love Robert's music also warmed Edna's heart, Edna mentions that "Robert's voice was not pretentious. It was musical and true. The voice, the notes, the whole refrain haunted her memory" (Chopin 606). Edna had a passionate love for Robert despite the fact that she was married, it seemed as if the music he gave to her bonded the two together in a unique way.
ReplyDeleteWhen searching for a song that made me feel the way Edna felt, I came across a ballad from Star Wars titled "Across the Stars", there is no lyrics, just instrumentation. I grew up loving Star Wars, I used to imagine myself in the movies, every song in Star Wars was orchestrated beautifully, especially "Across the Stars". I remember the first time I put headphones on and sat silently listening to the song, the passion I felt in my heart was surreal, I couldn't help but to dance. There is just something about the ballad that causes no other orchestral song to compare to its beauty.
I really enjoyed the way you added the background of music and how people enjoy it. I loved how you brought in the emotion's music brings to Edna and explaining why she has such a great passion for it, as well as how her love for Robert has the impact on her love for music as well.
DeleteMusic can contain a lot of emotion. For many people, emotion is not necessarily a concept that can always be expressed. In chapter IX, Edna can be viewed as a prime example of how music can be effective. Music was mentioned to have an imaginative effect as it is described Edna admired music: “Edna was what she herself called very fond of music. Musical strains, well rendered, had a way of evoking pictures in her mind” (Chopin, C-594). In this chapter we see that Edna tries to express her emotions, and rather with words she expresses it physically as stated, “She trembles, she was choking, and the tears blinded her” (Chopin, C-594).
ReplyDeleteWe also come to the realization that Edna turns to music during hard times in chapter XIV, when her husband leaves and she waits for him, she sang a song he had sung when they had crossed the bay. Although it may seem she sang it because she missed him, that was not the reason. It is stated, “Robert’s voice was not pretentious. It was musical and true. The voice, the notes, the whole refrain haunted her memory” (Chopin, C-606). While previously it was seen that music physically had a hold on her, in the situation with her husband we see that this time, it had an emotional threshold on her that caused her to turn to music as a healing process. When thinking about a song that had the impact that music did on Edna, the one song I could think of is Journey’s Who’s crying now. I chose this song because although it is a love song, it is a classic song that with the rhythm it can hold a lot of emotion.
Music has a major impact on everyone’s life, and, honestly, life would be quite boring if music wasn’t in it. Music can make us fell all sorts of emotions: sadness, happiness, peace, fierce, confidence, etc. At the end of Chapter IX, Edna feels a surmount of emotions as she listens to Mademoiselle Reisz play the piano. “Musical strains, well rendered, had a way of evoking pictures in her mind” (Chopin 568), but she couldn’t see anything this time. Instead of placing her emotions in a mental image of fiction, they all stayed with her within her soul and her moved her, “But the very passions themselves were aroused within her soul, swaying it, lashing it, as the waves daily beat upon her splendid body” (Chopin 268). Her emotions were rolling over her just how the sea does when she goes for a swim. She didn’t know how to handle those emotions, so she was brought to tears. Because Edna loves music, she understands it more than other people. Mademoiselle Reisz’s experience in playing the piano contributed to Edna being touched by her music. Even though the other guests don’t care about music as much as Edna, they were still moved by the music Mademoiselle played. Music is an art form that move rocks within us, and I believe that Edna was truly moved by her emotions that night.
ReplyDeleteI could think of two songs that make me feel the way that Edna does in this part of the novel. The songs “Young Forever” and “Mikrokosmos” by the kpop boyband BTS draw out all my emotions. BTS and their fans have a respectable relationship with each other, so the band writes meaningful songs for them. These songs are important within the fandom, and they bring hope. They bring hope, happiness, sadness, and longing for the future. Whenever I’m sad, they bring happiness, and whenever I’m happy, they bring even more joy. These two songs are just some of the few that bring me and others happiness and hope.
Julianna, I agree, life would be boring without music. Music impacts our everyday lives, and it helps us to indulge in a broad spectrum of feelings. Music can affect our mood in a variety of ways, as it does Edna. Edna is affected by the music, and even though she is unable to contend with her emotions, they are emotions that perhaps as a woman she had managed to ignore in order to fit into what was expected of her in that era.
DeleteThe music in The Awakening, serves to bring focus and togetherness to the group. As the narrator says, “Almost every one danced but the twins” (p 567). Moreover, music brings the group together once again when the people seemed to be dispersing, like Mrs. Edna Pontellier going outside to look at the sea and Mademoiselle Reisz leaving the party and walking towards her cottage. It is at this time that Robert asks Mademoiselle Reisz to play for Mrs. Pontellier. Edna loves music and listens to it attentively, which tends to evoke pictures in her mind of a story prompted by the music. As when she listens to “Solitude,” Edna imagines, “...the figure of a man standing beside a desolate rock on the seashore. He was naked. His attitude was one of hopeless resignation as he looked toward a distant bird winging its flight away from him” (p 568). Furthermore, Mademoiselle Reisz music evoked a renew enthusiasm within the group as the narrator said, “Her playing had aroused a fever of enthusiasm, “What passion!” “What tan artist!” “I have always said no one could play Chopin like Mademoiselle Reisz!” (p 568). Mademoiselle Reisz’s last song did not evoke pictures within Edna’s mind, but it seemed to have touched her deeply to the point, that as the narrator said, “She trembled, she was choking, and the tears blinded her” (p 568). Furthermore, in chapter XIV, Edna is longing for Robert and music seems to bring Edna closer to Robert as she sings a song that Robert had sang before he left. Edna longs for Robert as she is waiting for her husband and sings to herself, a song that ends with si tu savais (“Couldst Thou But Know”) (p 580).
ReplyDeleteI also like to listen to music and like Edna music evokes pictures in my mind. I enjoy the different types of beats depending on my mood. Moreover, as a listen to music, certain songs will also evoke a specific memory of what I was doing at the time I listened to that song; for example, some songs will remind me of what book I was reading at the time that song was popular on the radio (and I was doing both listening to that specific song and reading that specific book), other songs evoke memories of people and what I was doing at the time that song was playing in the background. Also, like Edna, some songs will touch me deeply and cause me to feel sad, happy, or energetic. Thus, there are songs with high rmp’s that I use specifically for working out while the music I listen to study or read has to have a slower beat.
Good thought on looking at a larger group dynamic. I agree with you, and it's certainly true how music can bring people together. Chopin got that right at least, showcasing the physical energy that allows us to dance with such enthusiasm. In modern day, that helps us workout just like you illustrate. I like how you mentioned music bringing us together in more personal ways too, like Edna with Robert.
DeleteMusic here arouses emotion, but not simple ”material pictures” (Chopin 594). It is a physical reaction, stronger and more passionate. It can be a metaphor for Edna’s awakened feelings. In the story, her newly awakened love for men other than her husband, create for her a deeper meaning in life than a domestic role. She is dissatisfied with her current marriage and children, wishing more for love in her life. The music reflects this change. She feels more alive, the “very passions themselves aroused within her soul” (Chopin 594). Her relationships have become more than a feeling or base emotion, but something that elicits a physical reaction.
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter XIV, music once more reflects emotion and change in Edna’s feelings. While waiting for her husband, Edna feels overcome with longing for Robert. She ends up singing a French song, which brings memory of Robert’s voice, “musical and true” (Chopin 606). It “haunted her memory” (Chopin 606). Here there is no thought nor mention of her husband. Her use of music helps to channel a physical and emotional memory of her lover, not the man she is wedded to. It reflects once more the changed person Edna has become, allowing her to channel her desires and wants, and truly awaken her more passionate self both physically and emotionally.
I have many favorite songs but there is one in particular that always makes me tear up just a bit. Hundred Days by the Bengsons is pure song and acoustic. It is entirely human, and it speaks of hope and love. Even if the relationships I have in my life are mostly platonic, the feeling of caring and happiness with your loved ones and friends is so strong in that song. Sometimes, when I am thinking about them, it almost makes me cry out of love for them, and I am so grateful to have such people in life. Normally, that doesn’t elicit such a physical reaction, but with this song- just music for Edna- helps those more passionate feelings well up inside me.
Yes, I like how you mentioned her newly awakened feelings and how the music reflects those new emotions. I also think her newly found enlightenment has led her to feel lonely. As said in the article Dr. Kornasky wrote, two characters have tried to give her marital advice for a marriage that she does not want which, I think, has evoked this sense of loneliness. This is why she can feel the music because she can recognize the sad notes to the music.
DeleteFrom Kornasky's article, I better understood Edna’s background and her " repulsions " towards her husband. And according to the article, these repulsions lead her to contemplate suicide to escape said husband. With this in mind, while examining Edna and the surrounding characters' reactions, there is a significant difference in the biological effects of music on both parties. While the surrounding audience on pages 568 through 569 are excited and happy after listening to the pianist, Edna is anxious.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter IX it is said that Madame Raigonolle “and her husband both considered it a means of brightening the home and making it attractive”(pg. 567), the “it” they speak of being music. And after the pianist Reisz finished, the audience, aside from Edna, named “the others”(pg. 569), reacted with a “fever of enthusiasm” (pg. 569). Edna, on the other hand, felt “a keen tremor” down her spine after the “ very first cords” (pg. 568). And as she listened, “she trembled, she was choking, and the tears blinded her” (pg. 568). The “agitation” and pain, I believe, are the same feelings of Reisz that she shows in her music. I believe suffering to be a common element of the pianist's music since Edna recalls the piece “Solitude” (pg. 568), which caused pictures of a lonely man with “hopeless resignation” (pg. 568) to come to mind. I believe that Edna empathizes with Reisz and vice versa, which is why she is “the only one worth playing for” (pg. 569).
A song that has made me feel similar to Edna's reaction toward the pianist's piece would be “On Track” by Tame Impala, an indie-rock musician. It is a song that depicts the hopelessness that can come with failure but affirming the future can overcome that feeling. The song is better than my explanation.
Music is such a special thing that humans get to experience and enjoy. It provokes a lot of different emotions. In chapter IX, Edna felt a lot of emotions as she listened to Mademoiselle play the piano. She said that "musical strains, well rendered, had a way of evoking pictures in her mind" (Chopin, 568). She was able to close her eyes and just imagine. In this chapter, Edna tries to express herself. However, instead of using her words, "she trembles, she was choking, and the tears blinded her" (Chopin, 594). In chapter XIV, Edna is filled with sadness as she reminisces on her husband, Robert, and the fact that he left. As noted in the last paragraph in this chapter, "Robert's voice was not pretentious. It was musical and true. The voice, the notes, the whole refrain haunted her memory" (Chopin, 580).
ReplyDeleteI too have felt countless emotions listening to music. The last quote that I mentioned really spoke to me. Edna is sad about her husband leaving as she keeps waiting for him to come back. I can relate to this feeling as I felt something equally as painful a few years ago. I was in a serious relationship and things began to get rocky. We broke up, but apart of me kept waiting around as I didn't want to move on; I had hope that he would come back to me, as I believe Edna did too. The song that makes me feel the way Edna did is "I don't want this night to end" by Luke Bryan.
Hey Kayla! I definitely agree with you that music is a special art that we get to enjoy. I also used that same first quote, I think it sums up well what happens to Edna when music plays. I like how you included a quote to show how the music deeply affected her, so much so that words could not express it. I am sorry for the pain and heartbreak that you went through. I know there are so many songs about it too, because unfortunately that is something so many people seems to go through. Thankfully when I went through this I had Jesus with me to help me through. Pretty soon after that, I found the man of all my hopes and dreams, my fiance now. So, I believe there is someone who is even better than you imagined who will love you unconditionally. Thank you for sharing and being honest.
DeleteThe meaning of music in The Awakening is a great deal about passion and the imagination. The biological effect of music in the novel shows as Edna thinks about the way music affects her, “Musical strains, well rendered, had a way of evoking pictures in her mind” (Chopin 594). She recalls how different pieces of music bring different feelings and pictures. One piece brings the feeling of isolation, along with a picture of a man deserted and alone. Another produced a picture of a woman dancing, another of children playing, and another of a woman and her cat. Although she usually sees images, this time is different. As Edna is listening to the music, she does not see any pictures, but instead she feels so much more intensely. Feelings of passion were very much there, and she was overwhelmed by them. The woman playing, Mademoiselle Reisz, does not even like to play for anyone else except Edna. Everyone else there loves her playing, and finds it amazing, but Edna feels it on a different level than them. To Edna, it is more than just a sound, it opens something deep within the soul. Another effect that music has is a lingering one. Edna remembers a song her husband sang, and from her hurt by him, the song now hurts as well, “The voice, the notes, the whole refrain haunted her memory” (Chopin 606).
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear music, like Edna, I also see pictures and feel deeply. For me, I mostly listen to worship/Christian music because when I do I become amazed at Jesus and in awe of who He is and what He has done. When I listen to other music, it also makes me feel things, but it is usually sad and depressing. My favorite song changes quite frequently, but right now it is "Touch of Heaven" by Bethel Music. This is my favorite because it tells Jesus how I give Him everything, and He is my everything in return. It is so freeing and refreshing because it reminds me that He made everything, and that He loves and cares about me and all that I love and care about.
I loved your interpretation of the story and the meaning behind the music. I do agree that music plays an important role in a person's feelings and emotions. Also, I am a Christian and love to listen to Christian music. I always seem to cry when listening to particular Christian songs. My emotions can be brought on by how the song brings happiness in its reminder of how great God is, and that his love never fails. Even in our darkest moments, our hardest struggles, he is faithful and these songs only remind me of this.
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ReplyDeleteMusic can bring about different feelings in a person. For instance, it can be a reminder of something sad for a person, bringing up those feelings all over again, or it can be the cause of happiness for someone. Whatever the reason, music can play a tremendous part in a person’s feelings at that moment. At the moment when Edna is sitting on a window sill, Mademoiselle Reisz plays a piece of music on the piano which in return “the very passions themselves were aroused within her soul, swaying it, lashing it” (Chopin, p.568, para.6), overcome with the feelings arising from the music in which Mademoiselle play’s, Edna is overcome with emotion, especially when it says, “she trembled, she was choking, and the tears blinded her.” (Chopin, p.568, para.6). Also, after Edna is brought back across the bay by Robert after falling ill and spending most the day sleeping, Robert sings, “sit u savais” (Chopin, p.580, para.1). After her return home she reminisces about the song in which he sang, she recalls that “the voice, the notes, the whole refrain haunted her memory” (Chopin, p.580, para.2). This song that Robert song at that moment played a major impact on Edna and her feelings toward Robert, which can be seen through out the remainder of the readings where she reminisces on those words and how Robert had sung them before he left. In general, music can have an impact on individuals from the use of three simple words or an entire song. Each person is different in their reactions to a particular song and no one person will have the same reaction or the same meaning behind their reaction.
ReplyDeleteThe reaction and impact that music plays on me can be like the reactions seen by Edna. Although Edna cried and trembled at the song which Mademoiselle Resiz played, we cannot determine whether the song made her sad or happy. In addition, particular songs can have these same attributes to my feelings, in which I may cry, but each expression of feeling towards a song can be different. I can cry from the happiness in which I feel from the song or sadness from the reminders the song brings to my thoughts. Ultimately, a song can play a tremendous role in a person’s feelings, mine particularly, but the feelings felt can change from each song, in which its effects may be different from day to day, or from song to song.
In chapter XIV Edna talked about her Husband Robert singing a song for her at the going away party. “Ah! Si tu savais” (Chopin 606) This translated to ah! if you only knew, and Edna got upset when she heard the song. The reason why music effects Edna is because it was a way for her to have freedom and she would listen to it to feel free and happy. “Edna was what she herself called very fond of music. Musical strains, well rendered, had a way of evoking pictures in her mind. She sometimes liked to sit in the room of mornings when Madame Ratignolle played or practiced.” (Chopin 594)
ReplyDeleteIn chapter IX you can tell that music had awaken her to see that there was more to life, and she just needed something to wake her up. “The young woman was unable to answer; she pressed the hand of the pianist convulsively. Madame moiselle Reisz perceived her agitation and even her tears.” (Chopin 594) Even Madame moiselle Reisz says this to Edan as she saw that music made her feel emotional. “You are the only one worth playing for. Those others? Bah!” (Chopin 595) Hearing the music from Madame Moiselle Reisz made her realize that she found a way to understand why she is unhappy with her life.
The song I listen to is Euphoria by Edwince, Svniivan, Mitchell Martin as this song gives me a sense of hope and clarity. I listen to it before soccer games, and it makes my mind think clearly before the game and then I don’t make mistakes in the games as much.