Art In The Awakening

Down through history, art has been a method for mankind to better understand itself by serving as a medium for self-expression. Famed American writer John Updike once said that "what art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit." And in the novel, The Awakening, Kate Chopin creates a story in which Edna Pontellier, a young woman who finds herself trapped in a male-dominated society, uses art to find breathing room for her spirit. Chopin's use of Edna and her relationship with her artwork illustrate how art can serve as a method of expression and as an escape from real life.

Chopin’s use of Edna’s relationship with her art work is a statement on how art can be used as a method of expression. This is illustrated first in the

Listening to Adèle’s music creates images of experiences she was already familiar with. However, Reisz’s pieces arouse her emotionally and for the first time, “the very passions themselves were aroused within her soul, swaying it, lashing it, as the waves daily beat upon her splendid body” (Chopin). She stirs new emotional ideas inside of Edna and Edna takes notice of the fact that Reisz uses music as a true form of expression, rather than just to entertain others. Edna’s ability to see the differences between Reisz and Adèle’s artistry reflects her own personal growth. From this moment on, Edna looks at art as a way to express her life and no longer as only a diversion. This pivotal moment in Edna’s growing relationship with the art around her is one of the hallmarks of her “awakening” because she learns that she should interpret and create new ideas unique to her while engaging a piece of artwork. Chopin sums it up the best by saying Edna “was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being” (Chopin). Through these interactions with music and art, Edna realizes that women in the society she lives in are expected to live and act for the enjoyment of men, something she find

Edna, like many other women at this time, finds herself forced into a box by society; she must be a loving wife and caring mother, while aiming for nothing more. Edna however, finds herself unable to conform to this and constantly challenges her responsibilities. During her search to break away from society, Edna began to feel as though there was no one who could understand her. However, from her prior experiences with Mademoiselle Reisz, Edna is aware that are can serve as a method of expression and begins to use it as such. Before this, Edna merely dabbled in art for her own enjoyment. But upon realizing the power her art holds, her portraits become cries for help. Her paintings are now mirrors reflecting the inside of her heart. Her work becomes “a kind [of satisfaction] which no other employment afforded her” (Chopin). Even though society required her to spend time serving her husbands and caring for her children, being able to find time to herself and create art free of other people’s expectations makes Edna feel at peace. When the pressures of the outside world become too much to handle, Edna retreats to her work and the quality of her art reveals this. This is best seen when Robert leaves for Mexico and Leonce yelled at Edna for not fulfilling her duties as a mother and wife. However, instead of doubting