English 3318 students:
In Chapters I through XVI (the summer at Grand Isle part) of The Awakening, three unnamed characters, the two young lovers and the lady in black, appear repeatedly nearby the protagonist, Edna Pontellier. What do you think these three characters represent?
Before midnight on Friday, October 28th, please submit a comment of at least two well-developed paragraphs about the meaning of each one of their four appearances in these chapters.
After you post your comment, please reply in one well-developed paragraph to at least one of the other students' comments.
Thank you,
Dr. K
In the first sixteen chapters of Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, there are 3 separate characters in the story that remain unnamed that give an abundance of insight into the lives of Edna and Robert specifically. The insights they give are subtle and the characters themselves are only mentioned a few times. The first time they are mentioned is in chapter 7; both characters are just given a basic introduction, so there is not much insight to be given at this time. They are mentioned again in the following chapter. The lady in black was just walking behind the couple, so there was not much to be drawn from there. The lovers, however, start to give us as the reader some unknown information. “They were leaning toward each other as the water-oaks bent from the sea. There was not a particle of Earth beneath their feet,” (Chopin, C-590). The third time they are mentioned, it is quite the opposite of the second; The lovers are just walking back to the wharf while the lady in black was, as always, following behind them by herself. She was with all her Sunday best as they were about to leave for church. This may not seem that important now, but it’s the following lines that put this into perspective with Edna and Robert. “He had soon joined her. She had never sent for him before. She had never asked for him. She had never seemed to want him before,” (Chopin, C-599). The fourth and final time they are mentioned is when we find out that Robert is leaving for Mexico. “The lovers were profiting by the general conversation on Mexico to speak in whispers of matters which they rightly considered were interesting to no one but themselves,” (Chopin, C-607). The lady in black was mainly concerned with a set of prayer beads she received in Mexico that had an indulgence on them she never understood.
ReplyDeleteEach time the lovers and the lady in black are mentioned, it always revolves around Edna and Robert and the issues that revolve around them. I think that the lovers represent the love that Edna and Robert could have had but never did. It’s a clear assumption we as readers can make that Edna finally realized the feelings that she had for Robert the day he left. After his departure, she couldn’t stop thinking about him and wanted to talk about him constantly. The lovers are a constant representation and reminder of what they could have been, but Edna settled for someone else whom she doesn’t love anymore. The lady in black represents the failure of that love; she’s in black, so it almost seems to me as if she’s a representation of death. She represents the death of that love that never came to be. She also can represent the mourning of that love; Edna mourns Robert after he leaves almost as if he’s dead. From what we’ve read, it’s like she will never see him again so she’s in mourning over a love that never happened.
As always, your response and conclusion of the subtle characters within this chapter is incredibly insightful. After reading the chapters, writing my response, your response posed several questions in my mind regarding the role or purpose of these characters in Edna's life. You mentioned that the lovers could represent that love that Edna and her fiance never had, and that the lady in black represents the death of that love. With that being said, the first question that came to mind is, just because Robert did not feel the same toward Edna, does that mean that love never existed at all in the relationship in the first place? Did the lovers represent the potential of what could be, or just Edna's perspective and desire? I agree with you in your idea that the lady in black represents death or grievance as a whole. Although it does lead me to think or question if the love is really dying, or is Edna just finally making her mind up about the relationship being one-sided? Overall, this response provided claims and evidence that were credible, as well as made the reader leaving and wanting to read the story again to find answers.
DeleteI really enjoyed your insight on what you gained to be the reasoning behind the "two young lovers" and the "lady in black". Although my thoughts were a bit different, we both seem to agree that the "lady in black" represents death in some type of why, while the "two young lovers" represent the love between Robert and Edna. I too also felt as if Edna mourned the loss of Robert after his leaving for Mexico, resulting in her awkward behavior not only toward herself, but toward her husband, and children as well.
DeleteAlthough the lovers and the lady in black characters only show up four times throughout the first sixteen chapters only appear four times, and are considered to be minor characters, they provide several symbolic concepts. These characters make paired appearances. For example, the first time the reader sees the lady in black is in the first chapter, when the narrator contrasts the physical appearance of the lady in black to Madame Lebrun, stating as, “a lady in black was walking demurely up and down, telling her beads,” (Chopin pg 575). This was all that was said about the first encounter with the lady in black, therefore as a reader that particular detail did stick out to me, but did not have too much significance at the time. The contrast in how the woman in black presented herself, compared to the rest of the society, can show a reader foreshadowing in the ways of the drastic contrast, as well as the notion of societal standards that women, such as Edna, were expected to take on and live up to. The second time that the reader sees the lady in black as well as the two lovers, is in chapter seven on the beach with Edna and Madame Ratignolle. The lady in black was said to be, “reading her morning devotions,” and the two lovers, “exchanging thor hearts’ yearnings beneath the children’s tent,” (Chopin pg 586). At this point, as a reader, I can conclude that these three subtle characters have a role or underlying meaning to this story. This meaning building off the contrast between the lovers and the lady in black, as well as each of those characters to Edna and her lifestyle as a Victorian woman. This comparison can then be specified to Edna’s relationship with her fiance Robert, as well as her personal navigation through that relationship that only the narrator is explaining. With Edna’s purpose of going on this day trip to the beach being, “escaped from Robert,” and the mentioning of the subtle characters almost immediately after this, deepens the expression of the characters role to the reader. The idea that the characters are a representation of Edna’s relationship, is now in chapter seven, starting to progress and become more evident to the reader. The third time that we see these characters is in chapter twelve, in the early morning as the lovers were walking to the wharf, and the lady in black dressed to attend church. At this point, just a few lines above this third appearance of the characters, Edna had the desire to, “freed her soul of responsibility,” (Chopin pg 599). With this desire, the reader can conclude the escalation of Edna’s navigation through her discomfort in her relationship with her fiance. The narrator even stated that Edna was, “blindly following whatever impulse moved her,” (Chopin pg 599). The fourth, and final time these characters are mentioned in this story is in chapter fifteen, as Edna is informed of the surprising news that her husband is leaving for Mexico. In this appearance the lovers can be seen whispering to each other, “ of matters which they rightly considered interesting to no one but themselves,” and the lady in black possessing prayer beads from Mexico, “with special indulgence attached to them, “ that she never completely understood to belong to her.
ReplyDeleteWith all four appearances in mind, specifically the fourth appearance, the reader can come to the conclusion that the lady in black and the two lovers are representations of both sides of Edna and her fiance’s relationship. The lady in black can be seen as the reflection of Edna’s grievance, or the death of her love for Robert. The two lovers can represent a love that is oblivious to the rest of the world, which the lady in black is always following, reminding Edna the potential negative endings of love. The naiveness of love, represented by what Edna wants for her relationship and love to be with her fiance, is contrasted with the lady in black, embodying the grief and expectations of how marriage was seen in the Victorian period as a woman.
I love how you represented the symbolism of these three characters. I feel as if it hit very on the spot and looking at how the lovers are that naive love, and how the lady in black is that negative endings of love, or its restrictions in terms of marriage. That was a nice way to look at it.
DeleteEach week you publish great work and each week you're able to intrigue your audience more and more. After reading your comment and mine and going back to a few of the chapters, I do agree with your representation of all 3 minor characters. They provide significant insight into Edna's mind and are almost real-life manifestations of her thoughts. I would tend to think that the fourth time we see them is the most important time since it is when we find out Robert is leaving and when Edna's emotions seem most high. I do think your last paragraph sums up what they represent beautifully and shows how they represent a Victorian woman. Great job!
ReplyDeleteIn the story “The Awakening”, the representation of three unnamed characters within the story represents something more than is presented at that moment. For instance, the two young lovers’ representation at that moment could represent the eventual birth of passion in Robert and Edna’s relationship, when Robert comes back from Mexico. Edna describes “the two young lovers” who were expressing their love as, “exchanging their hearts’ yearnings” (p.560, para.2). Possibly, a glimpse of what was to come in Edna’s future. Edna learns the truth about her feelings for Robert, and although she is married, she finds it hard to accept Robert’s leaving. When Robert leaves, it is as if Edna begins to mourn his loss, acquiring an incoherent demeanor towards not only her husband, but to herself, and her children. In this instance, the presence of the Lady in Black, whose appearance in the story is cast as more of a black shadow. In addition, the lady could represent the unforeseen troubles that Edna will face later in her days. With the appearance of “the two young lovers”, we can assume that this representation of Edna’s end could be a result of unjustifiable love of adultery. The lady in black appears as what one could acknowledge as death. This later becomes evident when Edna walks out into the sea after Robert and Edna profess their love to one another. However, Edna is forced to leave the company of Robert to be with Madame Ratignolle who has fallen ill. Upon returning to the “pigeon house”, where Edna had left Robert, she finds a note left by him, that reads, “I love you. Good-by—because I love you.” (p.636, para.6). Ultimately, Edna’s decision to go out into the ocean is due to Roberts leaving, but also for the fact that she longed for freedom, as seen when she thinks of her children and husband, exclaiming that “they were a part of her. But they need not have thought that they could possess her, body, and soul.” (p.639, para.2).
ReplyDeleteIn general, the representation of the three characters with unknown names in the story, identified as “the two young lovers” and the “lady in black” are a more in-depth perspective of the troubles entangled in the decision that Edna makes to pursue love outside of her marriage. Although the young lovers seem to be enveloped with one another, the warning of the forbidden tendency that Edna faces is established by the presence of the “lady in black”. In conclusion, this can be assumed to be a warning of the dangers and troubles that come about from perusing risky behavior.
I think you did well with including a great number of quotes to help your claim of the purpose of the young couple and the woman in black. I think the dangers and troubles of the risky behavior is the purpose of the risky behavior and I think establishing that helps readers know.
DeleteI enjoyed reading your interpretation of what the lovers and the woman in black represent. I think the woman represents the freedom that Edna can gain from death, but I also agree she could represent a warning for what's to come in Edna's journey.
DeleteAs we read through the story of the awakening, we are introduced to three unnamed characters. The characters provide a great deal of symbolism and represent other characters. As we know, Edna and her husband do not have the typical husband and wife relationship, we know that although her husband gifts her, he does not give her the attention she needs. The two lovers are introduced and viewed as two extremely in love people, as it is state, “Two young lovers were exchanging their hearts’ yearnings beneath the children’s tent, which they had found unoccupied” (Chopin, 286). As we read through the chapters and examine how the young lovers are described, we start to see the resemblance of what they represent. In the following chapter, the young couple is mentioned again when it is stated, “They were leaning toward each other as the water-oaks bent from sea” (Chopin, 590). As we read through the chapters, we start to get a sense that the young couple seems to represent Edna and her husband because they appear when they are around. Although we never have a description of what the couple looks like or that they never say anything, I feel this is the authors purpose in doing this as a foreshadow and almost like a vision of what life could have been like for them.
ReplyDeleteAs we continue to read through the chapters, we are introduced to the woman in black, and as read the small number of times she is mentioned, every time we read about her is when the young couple is talked about. We see her mentioned when it is stated, “The lady in black was reading her mourning devotions on the porch of neighboring bath-house” (Chopin, 586). As we see the lady in black being portrayed as a shadow, we begin to think what her purpose would be. We know she is shadowing the couple when it is mentioned “The lady in black creeping behind them, looked a trifle paler and more jaded than usual” (Chopin, 590). We begin to think that the woman in black is a shadow or a disturbance that is trying to come in between the young couple. This seems to be Edna’s way of thinking as it is stated, “Edna began to feel like one who awakens gradually out of a dream” (Chopin,599). It can be portrayed that the woman in black could possibly represent Edna’s independence and how although it is what she wants, she also wishes to be like the happy young couple.
The three unnamed characters, the Lovers and the Lady in Black, play a small role in the first few chapters of “The Awakening”, but what they mean to Edna is on a larger scale. These characters made their first appearance in chapter seven when Edna and Madame Ratignolle were resting at the bath house on the beach. Somehow, the Lady in Black and the two lovers are close by to one another, “The lady in black was reading her morning devotions on the porch of the neighboring bath-house. Two young lovers were exchanging their hearts yearnings beneath the children’s tent, which they had found unoccupied.” The two lovers reflect the relationship that Edna could have had with Robert or any man if Edna hadn’t married so early. The lady in black represents Edna “mourning” what could have been. Edna may not have realized her true feelings for Robert with her first encounter with these characters, but throughout the story she figures out how she feels.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of their first appearance, the story explains how Edna came to marry Leonce Pontellier and how it “was purely an accident, in this respect resembling other marriages which masquerade as the decrees of fate” (Chopin 562). She was in love with tragedian before she met Leonce, and she accepted his marriage because the tragedian moved away. It was convenient for Edna to marry him because she didn’t have any other of marriage. We see the characters again when Edna decides to go to Cheniere with Robert. They had to get on a boat to get to mass, “The lovers, who had laid their plans the night before, were already strolling through the wharf. The lady in black, with her Sunday book, velvet and gold clasped, and her Sunday silver beads, was following them at no great distance” (Chopin 573). Robert and Edna spend the whole day together even though Edna sleeps for most of it. She was glad that Robert was still at the house and kept watch over her. Edna starts to understand she wants to spend more time with Robert, and she starts to resent Leonce. When Robert goes to Mexico, Edna cannot stop talking about him and thinking about him. She realizes that she could have had a great life with him, and that she jumped into her marriage too quickly. These three characters represent that heavily even though they have small parts in the story.
Symbolism is an important part of any story. Here, the lady in black and the lovers in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening serve that function in context of Robert and Edna’s relationship. The lovers represent their growing feelings for each other, and the lady in black the ‘tragedy’ or misfortune that will embark after such a relationship. The lovers may also help represent Edna’s own awakening feelings.
ReplyDeleteThe first sighting of these two symbolic presences occurs right before Edna and Madame Ratignolle’s conversation on the beach in Chapter VII. The lady in black is present- as a faint warning- “reading her morning devotions on the porch of a neighboring bath-house" (Chopin 586). She is right by the two women, yet not fully present as of yet. More active, are the lovers, who “exchanging their hearts’ yearnings” underneath a tent (Chopin 586). Like the couple, Edna begins to confess some of her more innermost feelings, not all, but a “good part of it escaped her” to her trusted companion (Chopin 589).
With the second appearance, the lovers are walking with the lady in black “creeping behind them” (Chopin 590) Here, with Madame Ratignolle’s warning to Robert to “let Mrs. Pontellier alone” (Chopin 589). She is referencing Robert’s light hearted ‘flirting’ with Edna and worries that Edna may develop a serious attraction based on his advances. Robert reacts rather annoyed, asking “Why shouldn’t she [Edna] take me seriously?” It is an indication that the young man is beginning to feel desire towards Edna- an awakening of feelings he should not have, as symbolized by the lovers. However, once more the lady in black is right behind them- a growing shadow of worry and warning that tragedy may ensue if these feelings that Edna and Robert have begun to feel are acted upon.
The third appearance occurs the morning after Edna disobeys her husband, and her desires begin to awaken even more. Again, there is the lovers heading towards the wharf- right where Edna will go on her day with Robert. Behind them however, is the lady in black “following them at no great distance” (Chopin 599). While Robert’s and Edna’s affections and desires grow even more, so does that tell-tale shadow of misfortune coming closer and closer as a forewarning of what might happen to them in the end.
For the last appearance, in Chapter XV the lovers are as always unto themselves. But now, the lady in black is part of the conversation- the closest she has ever been to Edna and Robert. Fittingly, the bad news has finally come. Robert is going to Mexico, something which is a “bewilderment” to Edna (Chopin 606). It is so far, the presumed end to their growing affections- part of which was responsible for Edna’s passion-filled ‘awakening. The lady in black even has a set of prayer beads from Mexico, another connection to Robert’s departure.
While reading "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin, three unnamed characters are introduced early on into the novel. The three characters are simply identified as the lovers, and the lady in black. It is to my belief that the lovers represent what Edna could have with someone, if she hadn't gotten married so young. Edna isn't necessarily in love with her husband. He buys her gifts yet she isn't given the attention she deserves from him. The young lovers are first described as, "exchanging their hearts' yearnings beneath the children's tent" (Chopin 586). The type of love that the young lovers have for each other is something that Edna wishes for. Edna soon realizes that she is in love with Robert, a man that isn't her husband. Edna realizes her love for Robert is something she wouldn't be able to act upon due to the fact that she is already married. The idea of the two lovers is what Edna wished for so bad, yet she could never have. Edna could never have. Madame Ratigonelle warns Robert that he shouldn't flirt with Edna saying, "If your attentions to any married women here were ever offered with any intention of being convincing, you would not be the gentleman we all know you to be, and you would be unfit to associate with the wives and daughters of the people who trust you" (Chopin 590). This solidifies the idea that Edna and Roberts love could never be publicly announced because it would be immorally wrong.
ReplyDeleteThe lady in black in my opinion represents what is to come for Edna. The woman in black is often seen "creeping" behind the crowd, almost as a representation of death (Chopin 590). She is seen "reading her morning devotions on the porch of a neighboring bath-house" (Chopin 586). The lady is always present, almost like death, taunting Edna, warning her of what's to come. Edna is so desperately in love with Robert that it becomes evident that she doesn't want to live a life without him. Robert ends up leaving for Mexico, giving Edna a note that simply reads, "I love you, goodbye". It is in this moment that Edna decides to go out into the ocean to kill herself. Her death is something that frees Edna both physically and mentally. Edna doesn't have to restrain her feelings in order to be a good mom or a good wife, when she ends her life, she does it for herself. The lady in black indicates the death that Edna must face to gain the freedom she has always wished for.
I love your insight and what you said about how the three nameless characters represent a lot that has to do with Edna and her love life.
DeleteIn the first sixteen chapters in Kate Chopin's, "The Awakening", there are three nameless characters, the lovers and the lady in black, that are only mentioned a few times, but carry a lot of symbolism considering they have minor roles in the story. All three of the characters seem to appear around the main character, Edna. Edna married at a very young age and as described in the story, are not as in love as she could hope. The two nameless lovers may symbolize a love that she could have had, but doesn't. “Two young lovers were exchanging their hearts’ yearnings beneath the children’s tent, which they had found unoccupied” (Chopin, 286). Later on in the story, Edna realizes that she is in love with another man, Robert, that is not her husband, as her husband went away for work. She compared her love or lack there of with the 2 nameless lovers.
ReplyDeleteThe lady in black, in my opinion, represents death as the color black usually does. The lady in black is caught "creeping" around as if the death of her love is creeping around the corner (Chopin, 590). The lady in black simply symbolizes the death of Edna's love story. Her and Robert did not end up together, even though she fell in love with him.
Hi Kayla, I enjoyed reading your blog. I like your take on the lady in black as symbolizing death. There is death or ending to her marriage, and death to the woman she was and awakening to the new woman in love with Robert. There is also death to her romance with Robert as he ends it by saying that goodbye because he loves her. Furthermore, she dies by swimming into the ocean until she is too exhausted to swim back.
DeleteI believe that Edna Pontellier is at a crossroads in her life and the three unnamed characters that repeatedly appear near her represent her choices. The lady in black and the two lovers remind me of the cartoon character with a good and bad angel on the characters right and left shoulder trying to influence the characters decisions. The lady in black represents the traditional cultural accepted role for women, which is to be subservient, devoted and confined to her role of wife and mother; without giving a second thought to her personal desires or female passions. The woman in black is probably a widow, wearing black as a sign of respect and devotion to her late husband. She is a role model of what society has deemed morally admirable. While the two lovers represent unrestricted passion and an abandonment of social norms. The two lovers’ devotion is to each other and their passions; they are living outside of social conventions; thus, they are not accepted as part of polite society.
ReplyDeleteEdna’s family life seems ideal, but her husband treats her like a child and reprimands her because he believes that she is not an attentive mother or as the narrator says, “In short, Mrs. Pontellier was not a mother woman” (p 554). The lady in black and the lovers first appear when Edna, her family and friends go to the beach. The lady in black is reading the morning devotions while the young couple’s focus is on each other. While. Edna is also able to disregard everything around her and focuse on the ocean vastness and recalling a childhood memory and when questioned by Adele she says, “” Likely as not it was a Sunday,” She laughed, and “I was running away from prayers…” (p 561). Thus, in this instance Edna seems to have more in common with the lovers than the lady in black. The lovers and the lady in black are also present after Adele tells Robert to leave Edna alone because Edna might end up falling in love. As the lovers seemed to be getting more serious and the lady in black seemed more jaded. In this case, Robert seems to have more in common with the lady in black and according to Adele, Edna may end up having more in common with the lovers. The lovers appear once again on page 573 and 574 after Edna has learned to swim and is learning to assert herself and as the narrator says, “She was blindly following whatever impulse moved her, as if she had placed herself in alien hands for direction and freed her soul of responsibility” (p 574). Thus, as the lovers, she too is learning to follow her passions.
I like how you describe the characters representing a decision Edna is making between the idealized mother and wife figure or being a woman who isn't. Something I hadn't considered is that the lady in black could be a widow and, as you said, displaying her devotion by wearing morning color. Perhaps the black clothes also symbolize the fading devotion she has for her husband.
DeleteThe lady in black is first introduced in chapter 1, "a lady in black was walking demurely up and down, telling her beads" (pg. 549). It can be understood that Mrs. Pontellier is more reserved during her encounters with the Creole women in chapter IV. "Their freedom of expression was at first incomprehensible to her" (pg. 555), Edna though she responds with "lofty chastity" (pg. 555). In chapter VII, the "two young lovers... [exchange] their hearts' yearnings beneath the children's tent".
ReplyDeleteI think that the three unnamed characters represent the stages of life for Edna. Before Edna was "awakened" so to speak, she could not place the source of her sadness. She had always thought that her "husband's kindness and a uniform devotion" (pg. 553) outweighed the sadness she feels. Her young person naiveté, which is represented by the two lovers, is slowly diminishing as the story progresses. The lady in black represents the role she has as a mother and wife.