The Awakening

Reflection

While I was reading the Awakening, I had mixed emotions. I related to Edna in the aspect of discovering how twisted society’s view and stereotype of women are and supported her actions, but on the other hand I was angry at her for cheating on her husband and letting her “awakening” ( def. an act or moment of becoming suddenly aware of something ) go too far in my opinion. The idea of freedom ( def. the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint) sounds good, but I was apprehensive about what the book was defining freedom as. If being awakened means cheating, lying and committing suicide in the end then I definitely don’t support it. According to the definition it is an act or a moment, not a long period of inner battles. I also found that her marriage was described as an "accident" and wasn't for the good reasons, but for convenience and simply just because. "Her marriage to Leonce Pontellier was purely an accident, in this respect assembling many other marriages which masquerades as the decrees of Fate. He fell in love, as men are in the habit of doing, and pressed his suit with an earnestness and ador, which left nothing to be desired." ( pg. 23-24 ) So, is if her marriage, which was the very thing holding and imprisoning Edna, just happened to be a terrible one, then is this story actually accurate about being awakened? What about marriages that are happy and for the right reasons? I found this confusing and it left me wondering if this story is a reflection of Chopin's personal experience. I get that she was trying to make a point, but it almost seemed out of control and excessive. The suicide at the end could be seen in two ways; a triumphant victory since she finally was fully awakened or a cowardly action of giving up. I don’t get how she can remove herself from everyone else around her and all of their feelings including her lovers, family and friends. “She thought of Leonce and the children. They were a part of her life. But they need not have thought that they could possess her, body and soul.” ( pg. 121 ) It almost makes me infer that she was very insecure about herself and her relationships and had a twisted view on what awakening even was. I know Chopin probably portrayed her feelings through Edna, which makes me wonder what she really wanted to tell her readers. When I think of being “awakened” I think of two things. One, a woman being her true self and discovering that she is valued and has confidence that she is enough just the way she is. Two, any person being able to open their eyes to the world and living their lives to the fullest, taking advantage of every opportunity. The way the book conveys it is you explore your lustful side and as a result cheat and lie to feel good about yourself. And if that doesn’t work, find a way to escape the world in other words, kill yourself and be “freed.” I think the book kind of sends a twisted message about what’s important in life. In today’s society suicide is discouraged, but in the book it appears it is encouraged. Overall, it’s confusing what true “freedom”/ “awakening” means to Chopin and what she wants us to take away from it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDf757QwXpk

This video/spoken word poetry is super cool. I remember watching it a long time ago in school and it was interesting to see a different view of “awakening” than Chopin’s. It was focused more on life and living your life motivated and with a purpose. I normally find inspirational videos too cheesy, but I liked this one a lot.

I thought about this amazing sunset two summers ago over Lake Sammamish and it was truly one of the most amazing views I’ve ever seen and somehow I was just reminded of it when I was reading the awakening. I remember standing there with some friends and feeling freed and just in awe. In a sense, awakened and re-energized.

Daisy Miller

Daisy Miller on American Values

In Daisy Miller, Winterbourne says, “American girls are the best” and “American men are the best”, which he says to Randolph in a playful tone. I think he also means it as a cultural bias almost and it’s interesting that he thinks American people are best even while he’s living in Europe. He also considers that Daisy might “just” be an American "flirt", (def. behave as though attractred to or trying to attract someone, but for amusement rather than with serious intentions.)which I think is legitimate since he is from America and could have insight on what Daisy really wants, but I think Daisy is much more and isn’t just worried about flirting and moving between men/suitors. In the end you learn she really did like Winterbourne and Winterbourne was wrong when he considered she might just be a “flirt.” I think there are women who are “flirts” and aren’t looking for more than a one night stand or getting the attention of guys, but I also know it’s not just American women, but women all around the world and at all times in history, so it’s not correct to assume that because Daisy is American that she is just a “flirt.” It would then have to do more with her character, rather than her ethnicity.

Mrs. Costello also has some kind of bias (def. prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.) and strong dislike towards American girls, especially those described like Daisy Miller. She seems to look down on Daisy Miller and discourages Winterbourne from going on a date with her. “They are very common,” Mrs. Costello declared. “They are the sort of Americans that one does one’s duty by not – not accepting” and later on, “Of course she’s pretty. But she is very common. She has that charming look that they all have,” his aunt re-sumed. “I can’t think where they pick it up; and she dresses imperfection – no, you don’t know how well she dresses. I can’t think where they get their taste.” (pg. 22-23) We don’t know Mrs. Costello’s exact experience with Americans (women in particular), but I can see how even through rumors/word of mouth that she has some assumed a bad view on Americans. However, I don’t agree with her obviously because I live in America, but I don’t think it’s fare for her to influence and totally down talk Daisy Miller while her son is talking about how great she is. All of her reasons are material and not very specific, but rather general statements/stereotypes.

Contrary to Mrs. Costello’s stereotype about women only wanting to marry and being “common” and nothing special, I think in America something I am proud of is freedom of speech and freedom for women to work and have voices in public events/government. (Women’s rights) I see it in politics (women representatives) and in education where there are many women who have/are been influential, because of their hard work in school. Women seeking work and careers is encouraged in America's culture. Nowadays, women in America are encouraged to find careers and be successful and are often putting of having kids to pursue their dreams/jobs. It has been a battle long fought for women’s rights and women having influential voices, but it is something I am proud of in today’s time. Even connecting to today’s presidential debate, Hillary Clinton was the U.S. first lady and women’s rights activist. A few other examples in American history are Rosa Parks, known for sparking the modern civil rights movement and Audrey Hepburn who worked to help poor children and was a famous actress. I am in no ways a feminist, but when reading some of the views in Daisy Miller I realize how twisted their assumptions were about American women.

Experiment

Walden Experiment

In Walden, Thoreau conducts a two-year experiment of living in the forest by himself. He wants to test and prove that living alone and being self reliant ( def. reliant of one’s own powers and resources rather than those of others.) is the best and right way people should live. He wanted to be the living proof. “I find it wholesome to be alone the greater part of the time. To be in company, even with the best, is soon wearisome and dissipating. I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.” Thoreau really values solitude and refuses to “need” human society. In the end however, he returns to society after two years unable to continue living in such conditions. Even though he didn’t live the whole rest of his life in the forest he did learn an important value. “I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Two common themes in Walden are less is better and self-sufficiency, ( def. needing no outside help in satisfying one's basic needs, especially with regard to the production of food. emotionally and intellectually independent.) both of which are encouraged. 

Although not to the extreme of Thoreau, I decided to go a day without any electronic use. No phone use, no TV and no laptop. I decided to do this because in today’s society we are so consumed and obsessed with our electronic devices that we hardly have time to spend time with those around us and listen to what others have to say. We have lost a lot of the value of community and I find that really sad. When did just sitting around and talking lose its appeal? When did being on your phone while you’re sitting across the table from your spouse become acceptable? Honestly, the experiment was hard and it started right when I woke up. I normally set my phone alarm, but I instead used an actual alarm clock. I also listen to music that’s on my phone whenever I’m in my car. Without my phone I listened to the radio a lot more. It was the hardest when I was out with friends, even family and they were looking at videos/pictures on their phones and I couldn’t join in.  It just didn’t feel the same. Often I would reach for my phone when I was bored, waiting or simply wanted to see what time it was. Not being able to watch TV when I was at home/bored or look up anything on the internet was super hard. It's weird to think that even 20-30 years ago they didn't even have computers or iPhones. It forced me to find other things to do, which was actually kind of nice. I was able to get a lot of things done that I would have otherwise procrastinated. Even though it was hard being around friends who were on their phones and not being able to join in on some of the comradery, it did confirm for me how much consumed society, including me, is with their phones/other electronic devices. It made me miss the bonding that actually included conversations and talking about real world issues, not just about the new gossip or the latest instagram trend found using our phones. The experiment even for ONE day was really hard. However, it was really eye opening and made me want to share with my friends what I learned and try to enjoy each other’s presences and not keep our phones out while we’re around each other. And personally for me to make an effort to not be on my phone as much, especially when around friends or family. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2V9-3ZwnIU 

I absolutely love this spoken poetry video about today's society and electronics!