The Impact of Ednas Initial Awakening Essay example

Examine the ways in which Chopin reveals and develops the impact of Edna’s initial - awakening - in the central section of the novel. Chopin reveals the impact of Edna’s awakening through a number of different mediums and stylistic devices. Firstly, she uses Edna’s character and her interaction with other people to emphasise the initial development of Edna’s character. In the central section of the novel, Chopin implies a change in Edna’s character this is shown through Doctor Mandelet’s observation, â€Å" he observed his hostess attentively from under his shaggy brows, and noted a subtle change which had transformed her from the listless woman he had known into a being who for the moment, seemed palpitant with the forces of†¦show more content†¦Edna rejects any societal values which she may or may have not have agreed with before but used to adhere to; she behaves towards Leonce in a way which is a total shock to him and therefore the reader because Chopin presents how Leonce feels and reacts as fact. â€Å"Why, what could have taken you out on Tuesday? What did you have to do?† said Mr Pontellier. â€Å"Nothing. I simply felt like going out, and I went out,† this is an example of a total change the way that Edna behaves towards Leonce. She does not behaviour or react the same way that she would have done previously thereby highlighting the change in her persona. Furthermore, the reader is told that there is a change in Edna’s character, or at least in Mr Pontellier’s view, â€Å" her whole attitude toward me and everybody and everything- has changed.† Chopin verifies Mr Pontellier’s comment by showing her reject of involving herself with her acquaintances and engaging in a whole new approach to life, â€Å"she hasn’t been associating with any one. She has abandoned her Tuesdays at home, has thrown over all her acquaintances, and goes tramping about by herself, moping in the street-cars, getting in after dark.† This implies a total rejection of any ‘normal’ routine which Mr Pontellier would like Edna to led and would have been undertaken by all of the women in the Creole society. Once again Chopin