Sunday, November 9, 2008
Poetry Response: Inoculation
I found Inoculation to be a very interesting poem indeed. Rather difficult to understand though. I think the writer is comparing small pox to slavery. He is making the point that slavery is like small pox and some do survive. The opening two lines set up the rest of the poem. “Cotton Mather studied smallpox for a while/ instead of sin. Boston was rife with it” The writer is saying he studies small pox, probably wants to help people when sin(slavery) is staring him right in the face, where he should really be helping people. He asks his slave if he has ever had smallpox. The slave gives a very interesting answer. He says that his mother tried to kill him with small pox. But the boy survived and became a slave for the man. The poem is rich with irony in that the boy survived small but was forced into slavery, worse than smallpox?
The Awakening: Chapters 24-28
Chapters 24-28
1. Who comes to visit and who all leaves?
2. Why does Chopin leave Robert out for this hefty majority of the book?
3. Do you think you react how Edna has reacted thus far in the book?
Is Edna truly in love with Robert? That IS the question. I have no flippin clue. Earlier in the book (chapters 15-19 ish) I would have argued no. But now, after she learns Robert is coming back and she is basically on a high, I have to think she is in love with him. I’m so confused! Is Edna just “awakening” or has Robert Awakened her? I think Robert (without knowing what he was doing) awakened Edna. Then Edna kisses Arobin. I think the woman is so confused and disoriented. I feel badly for her. Then there is foreshadowing when Mademoiselle Reisz feels her shoulder blades to see how strong her wings are. I know the ending so I know Edna’s wings are not that strong which bothers me a bit. I thought Edna would be a heroine in this book. She kind of annoys me and makes me want to clap my hands in front of her face and be like, “Buck Up”. She’s dithering about, waiting for Robert, giving off an air of elitist attitude, and not really doing anything. And because I know the ending I’m even more like, C’MON EDNA! Get it together woman!
1. Who comes to visit and who all leaves?
2. Why does Chopin leave Robert out for this hefty majority of the book?
3. Do you think you react how Edna has reacted thus far in the book?
Is Edna truly in love with Robert? That IS the question. I have no flippin clue. Earlier in the book (chapters 15-19 ish) I would have argued no. But now, after she learns Robert is coming back and she is basically on a high, I have to think she is in love with him. I’m so confused! Is Edna just “awakening” or has Robert Awakened her? I think Robert (without knowing what he was doing) awakened Edna. Then Edna kisses Arobin. I think the woman is so confused and disoriented. I feel badly for her. Then there is foreshadowing when Mademoiselle Reisz feels her shoulder blades to see how strong her wings are. I know the ending so I know Edna’s wings are not that strong which bothers me a bit. I thought Edna would be a heroine in this book. She kind of annoys me and makes me want to clap my hands in front of her face and be like, “Buck Up”. She’s dithering about, waiting for Robert, giving off an air of elitist attitude, and not really doing anything. And because I know the ending I’m even more like, C’MON EDNA! Get it together woman!
The Awakening: Chapters 20-24
Chapters 20-24
1. Who is Edna looking for?
2. What is the significance of Madam Reisz and Doctor Mandelet?
3. Why is Edna looking for Madam Reisz?
The end of chapter 19 illustrated for the reader Edna’s depression. The second to last paragraph described Edna’s “happy days”. The last paragraph described Edna’s unhappy days- days in which she did not care whether she was alive or dead. Then the next chapters describe Edna’s complete loss of care for the household and her family. I think Robert was only a catalyst for Edna’s awakening. She misses him but is bothered more by her place in the world.
Edna searches for Madam Reisz for numerous reasons. Madam Reisz is a widow, very dedicated to her art (music), and probably gives off the independent woman vibe- something Edna searches for fervently. While Edna searches for common understanding, Mr. Pontellier does the same.
Mr. Pontellier goes to the family doctor to actually inquire if Edna is right in the head. The doctor tells Mr. Pontellier it’s just a womanly mood and it will eventually pass. They laugh about women and how strange they act. I HATE when people do this- when you feel a certain way and people chalk up your feelings to PMS, lack or exercise, lack of sleep, inadequate diet, etc.
Okay, I’m off my soapbox now.
1. Who is Edna looking for?
2. What is the significance of Madam Reisz and Doctor Mandelet?
3. Why is Edna looking for Madam Reisz?
The end of chapter 19 illustrated for the reader Edna’s depression. The second to last paragraph described Edna’s “happy days”. The last paragraph described Edna’s unhappy days- days in which she did not care whether she was alive or dead. Then the next chapters describe Edna’s complete loss of care for the household and her family. I think Robert was only a catalyst for Edna’s awakening. She misses him but is bothered more by her place in the world.
Edna searches for Madam Reisz for numerous reasons. Madam Reisz is a widow, very dedicated to her art (music), and probably gives off the independent woman vibe- something Edna searches for fervently. While Edna searches for common understanding, Mr. Pontellier does the same.
Mr. Pontellier goes to the family doctor to actually inquire if Edna is right in the head. The doctor tells Mr. Pontellier it’s just a womanly mood and it will eventually pass. They laugh about women and how strange they act. I HATE when people do this- when you feel a certain way and people chalk up your feelings to PMS, lack or exercise, lack of sleep, inadequate diet, etc.
Okay, I’m off my soapbox now.
The Awakening: Chapters 15-19
Chapters 15-19
1. What important event occurs in chapter 15?
2. Why is it now that Edna realizes she likes Robert?
3. Why does Robert leave?
Unfortunately, I read the end of the book so I already knew Robert left for Mexico. HOWEVER, I did not know why Robert had left. It’s obvious Robert leave because he realizes he is in love with Mrs. Pontellier but knows he could never have her. Edna and her husband then leave Lebrun’s for the winter. Once home Edna becomes sullen, insolent toward her husband, and eventually throws a temper tantrum. I think Edna’s outburst is because she feels so impotent and stuck in her life. I think she misses Robert but her awakening isn’t about Robert. It’s about her trying to assert herself in the world as a woman who demands to be treated like an equal.
On that note, I found pages 42 and 43 very interesting. Throughout the book I got really annoyed whenever Madam Ratignolle or Edna were apt to a fit of some sort. Whether it was the heat, exhaustion, or some made up ailment, both women seemed to not be able to handle ‘life’ sometimes. I understand that these couple pages aren’t the best example of these women’s ridiculous ‘tired fits’ but I think Edna deals with Robert’s departure immaturely. I also think it’s odd that she trying to assert herself as in equal in the world but simply because she’s a woman she pretends to have exhaustion fits for attention.
1. What important event occurs in chapter 15?
2. Why is it now that Edna realizes she likes Robert?
3. Why does Robert leave?
Unfortunately, I read the end of the book so I already knew Robert left for Mexico. HOWEVER, I did not know why Robert had left. It’s obvious Robert leave because he realizes he is in love with Mrs. Pontellier but knows he could never have her. Edna and her husband then leave Lebrun’s for the winter. Once home Edna becomes sullen, insolent toward her husband, and eventually throws a temper tantrum. I think Edna’s outburst is because she feels so impotent and stuck in her life. I think she misses Robert but her awakening isn’t about Robert. It’s about her trying to assert herself in the world as a woman who demands to be treated like an equal.
On that note, I found pages 42 and 43 very interesting. Throughout the book I got really annoyed whenever Madam Ratignolle or Edna were apt to a fit of some sort. Whether it was the heat, exhaustion, or some made up ailment, both women seemed to not be able to handle ‘life’ sometimes. I understand that these couple pages aren’t the best example of these women’s ridiculous ‘tired fits’ but I think Edna deals with Robert’s departure immaturely. I also think it’s odd that she trying to assert herself as in equal in the world but simply because she’s a woman she pretends to have exhaustion fits for attention.
The Awakening: Chapters 10-14
Chapters 10-14
1. In what does Edna sleep?
2. What do the lovers and lady in black represent?
3. Does Robert consciously know what he’s doing?
A LOT happens in this section. Edna swims on her own, Edna meets Mariequita, and Robert and Edna go on a trip together. The sexual tension between Robert and Edna seems to have been amped up to a billion. Robert has to know what he’s doing and the same goes for Edna. Yet, Edna fervently denies (in her thoughts) ever consciously feeling sexual longing for Robert. They flirt and Robert touches her (fixes a ruffle, touches the hem of her skirt). I’m just waiting for the real deal to happen.
My favorite chapter is chapter 11 by far. Mr. Pontellier sees Edna sleeping outside. He decides he doesn’t like that so he tells her to go in side. Edna politely tells him no. Then Mr. Pontellier gets all pissy because Edna doesn’t do as he says. So he yells at her and tells her “to get inside this instant”. And Edna Straight Up Tells Him No!! And she says that if he speaks to her like that again! GOOOOO EDNA! AND THEN Mr. Pontellier knows Edna basically just asserted her position in their relationship so he tries to establish dominance by sitting outside with her. It’s as if he knows she wants to be alone so just to spite her he sits outside and smokes. I really dislike this man.
1. In what does Edna sleep?
2. What do the lovers and lady in black represent?
3. Does Robert consciously know what he’s doing?
A LOT happens in this section. Edna swims on her own, Edna meets Mariequita, and Robert and Edna go on a trip together. The sexual tension between Robert and Edna seems to have been amped up to a billion. Robert has to know what he’s doing and the same goes for Edna. Yet, Edna fervently denies (in her thoughts) ever consciously feeling sexual longing for Robert. They flirt and Robert touches her (fixes a ruffle, touches the hem of her skirt). I’m just waiting for the real deal to happen.
My favorite chapter is chapter 11 by far. Mr. Pontellier sees Edna sleeping outside. He decides he doesn’t like that so he tells her to go in side. Edna politely tells him no. Then Mr. Pontellier gets all pissy because Edna doesn’t do as he says. So he yells at her and tells her “to get inside this instant”. And Edna Straight Up Tells Him No!! And she says that if he speaks to her like that again! GOOOOO EDNA! AND THEN Mr. Pontellier knows Edna basically just asserted her position in their relationship so he tries to establish dominance by sitting outside with her. It’s as if he knows she wants to be alone so just to spite her he sits outside and smokes. I really dislike this man.
The Awakening: Chapters 5-9
Chapters 5-9
1. Who embodies perfection as the “mother-woman”?
2. In Chapter 6, what does the sea represent?
3. Do you like Madam Ratignolle?
These chapters further the story somewhat slowly. Chapter 6 is solely dedicated to describing Edna’s beginning of her awakening. Her and Madam Ratignolle visit the beach in which Chopin describes in length Edna’s feelings toward ber husband and her children. The most important quotation from this section I believe is when Madam Ratignolle asks Robert to leave Edna alone. I think this is important because Madam Ratignolle shows she’s not ignorant to Edna and Robert; she knows what’s up.
What I found really interesting in the section is when Chopin describes both Madam Ratignolle and Mrs. Pontellier. Chopin describes Madam R. as physically beautiful, like a Madonna. She describes Mrs. P as basically decent looking, but her grace and charm give her an aura that people find very attractive. What Chopin is trying to portray is Mrs. P has something more than just physical beauty about her.
1. Who embodies perfection as the “mother-woman”?
2. In Chapter 6, what does the sea represent?
3. Do you like Madam Ratignolle?
These chapters further the story somewhat slowly. Chapter 6 is solely dedicated to describing Edna’s beginning of her awakening. Her and Madam Ratignolle visit the beach in which Chopin describes in length Edna’s feelings toward ber husband and her children. The most important quotation from this section I believe is when Madam Ratignolle asks Robert to leave Edna alone. I think this is important because Madam Ratignolle shows she’s not ignorant to Edna and Robert; she knows what’s up.
What I found really interesting in the section is when Chopin describes both Madam Ratignolle and Mrs. Pontellier. Chopin describes Madam R. as physically beautiful, like a Madonna. She describes Mrs. P as basically decent looking, but her grace and charm give her an aura that people find very attractive. What Chopin is trying to portray is Mrs. P has something more than just physical beauty about her.
The Awakening: Chapters 1-4
Chapters 1-4
1. What main character opens the book?
2. Why does Chopin open the book with him?
3. Why do you think Chopin portrays Robert as so young both in years and socially?
The beginning of “The Awakening” introduced Edna’s and Mr. Pontellier’s relationship as both placid and full of blissful ignorance. Edna and Mr. Pontellier fulfill each others needs, offer each other polite conversation, and make a seemingly decent family. When Mr. Pontellier wants to go to Klein’s instead of be with the family, Edna does not protest and doesn’t even seem to really mind. When Mr. Pontellier gives Edna money she seems truly happy, exclaiming about buying presents for a friend.
The reader can interpret many things from this section. First, everyone, including Edna, honestly believes Mr. Pontellier’s behavior is not only perfectly fine but the norm. Edna doesn’t expect nor want him to stay and hang out with her and the kids. Everyone expects “the men” to run off and go play poker and drink while the women sit at home, raise the children, and do womanly things. One pivotal point in the book is in Chapter 3 when Edna cries. Edna does not know why she is crying or why she feels the way she feels. This is Chopin’s foreshadowing of Edna’s “Awakening.”
1. What main character opens the book?
2. Why does Chopin open the book with him?
3. Why do you think Chopin portrays Robert as so young both in years and socially?
The beginning of “The Awakening” introduced Edna’s and Mr. Pontellier’s relationship as both placid and full of blissful ignorance. Edna and Mr. Pontellier fulfill each others needs, offer each other polite conversation, and make a seemingly decent family. When Mr. Pontellier wants to go to Klein’s instead of be with the family, Edna does not protest and doesn’t even seem to really mind. When Mr. Pontellier gives Edna money she seems truly happy, exclaiming about buying presents for a friend.
The reader can interpret many things from this section. First, everyone, including Edna, honestly believes Mr. Pontellier’s behavior is not only perfectly fine but the norm. Edna doesn’t expect nor want him to stay and hang out with her and the kids. Everyone expects “the men” to run off and go play poker and drink while the women sit at home, raise the children, and do womanly things. One pivotal point in the book is in Chapter 3 when Edna cries. Edna does not know why she is crying or why she feels the way she feels. This is Chopin’s foreshadowing of Edna’s “Awakening.”
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