The Awakening A Psychoanalytic Approach Essay

Formalistic Approach Toward The Awakening

“I see Leonce isn’t coming back,” she said, with a glance in the direction whence her husband had disappeared.” (Chopin 6). This quote is from the novel The Awakening by Kate Chopin. This quote explains a relationship that seems to be dwindling as a family begins to separate. Edna, the wife decides to go her own way leaving her family behind to fulfill her desire of happiness that isn’t found. This is only one of the ways that the formal approach is conveyed in this novel. In The Awakening the formalistic critical approach has affected the outcome of the novel. A good example is some of the recurring patterns that have been made from the beginning to the ending.

As the novel expands into deeper and

Love in this novel is a word greatly used throughout the plot and written works of this book. We see love used in this novel in many different contexts that allow the reader to grasp a better understanding of what is happening. However, in this novel the word love is thrown around quite a lot which makes the word meaningless. “There were only a few lines, setting forth that he would leave the city that afternoon, that he had packed his trunk in good shape, that he was well, and sent her his love and begged to be affectionately remembered to all.” (Chopin 45). Reflecting back on the idea of love, Edna also repetitive instances where she is called out that she is not living the life fulfilling to her families needs. “It seems to me the utmost folly for a woman at the head of a household, and the mother of children, to spend in an atelier days which would be better employed contriving for the comfort of her family.” “I feel like painting,” answered Edna. “Perhaps I shan’t always feel like it.” “Then in God’s name paint! but don’t let the family go to the devil.” (Chopin

A good example would be Robert Lebrun. Chopin makes Robert out to be this man that is deeply in love with Edna. Chopin also gives straightforward information about a character if the evidence in there. “Robert talked a good deal about himself. He was very young, and did not know any better.” (Chopin, 5). Another way Chopin sets the mood for the rest of the novel is by the people she includes in the main plot. A good example would be Mademoiselle Reisz. The role of Mrs. Reisz was to place someone in Edna’s life that would help guide the romantic side of Edna and keep the love for Robert alive. She makes the theme of love more interesting by her presence in the novel. “There was nothing which so quieted the turmoil of Edna’s senses as a visit to Mademoiselle Reisz. It was then, in the presence of that personality which was offensive to her, that the woman, by her divine art, seemed to reach Edna’s spirit and set it free.” (Chopin