Junior Rasmussen
In Kate Chopin's The Awakening, Edna Pontellier tries to destroy her wedding ring by crushing it under her heel. This act symbolizes her frustration with her marriage and her husband Leonce's treatment of her. Edna embarks on a path of emotional, intellectual, and sexual awakening, rejecting the rules of high society and embracing her independence. She no longer wishes to be merely one of her husband's expensive possessions, like the ornaments he admires, and she abandons her domestic duties, no longer wishing to play the role of hostess and nanny in exchange for room and board.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for destroying the ring | Expressing her frustration with her marriage and the way Leonce treats her |
| Feeling towards her marriage | Feeling trapped and wanting to break out |
| Action | Tries to crush the ring under her heel but fails and breaks a vase instead |
| Result | The maid returns the ring to Edna, who puts it back on her finger |
| Reflection | Edna thinks her actions are foolish |
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What You'll Learn
Edna's frustration with her marriage
In Kate Chopin's *The Awakening*, Edna's frustration with her marriage is a central theme. Edna is married to Mr. Pontellier, who is described as being increasingly irrelevant and distant from his wife. Edna no longer feels distressed by her husband's behaviour and is learning to live without him. She even enjoys his absence at the dinner table. However, she wishes she were not married to him, rather than wishing he were a better husband. This frustration with her marriage is exemplified in a scene where Edna tries to destroy her wedding ring by crushing it under her heel, but fails and breaks a vase instead. This act symbolises her feelings of being trapped in her marriage and her desire to break free.
The disintegration of their marriage is further highlighted in a fight between Edna and her husband over the cook and the dinner, which symbolises their differing values and priorities. Edna's husband, Léonce, is portrayed as materialistic and devoted to convention, valuing his possessions above all else. He chastises Edna for her behaviour without trying to understand her motivations, treating her more like an employee than a partner. Léonce's lack of respect for Edna's point of view contributes to her sense of being trapped and her desire for independence.
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Edna's feelings of entrapment
In Kate Chopin's *The Awakening*, Edna feels trapped in her marriage to Léonce Pontellier. This feeling of entrapment is reflected in a scene where Edna tries to destroy her wedding ring by crushing it under her heel, but fails to do so and breaks a vase instead. This action symbolises her desire to break free from the confines of her marriage and assert her independence.
The contrast between Edna's awakening and Léonce's conventional mindset becomes more apparent when Edna returns to New Orleans after a pleasant summer with her admirer, Robert Lebrun. Edna embarks on a path of emotional, intellectual, and sexual awakening, while Léonce continues to prioritise his business and social obligations. Edna's actions, such as abandoning her Tuesday meetings and not returning people's calls, further highlight her desire for independence and autonomy.
Edna's attempt to destroy her wedding ring is a symbolic act of rebellion against the constraints of her marriage and society's expectations. By stomping on the ring, she expresses her frustration with Léonce's treatment of her and her refusal to be merely one of his possessions. This scene marks a turning point in Edna's life, as she actively rejects the rules of high society and decides to pursue her own desires and independence.
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Edna's desire for independence
In Kate Chopin's *The Awakening*, Edna embarks on a path of emotional, intellectual, and sexual awakening. This journey is triggered by her pleasant summer romance with her young admirer, Robert Lebrun. Edna's feelings for Robert are in stark contrast to those she has for her husband, Léonce. She feels infatuation and a sense of youthfulness around Robert, whereas her marriage to Léonce is marked by frustration and a desire for independence.
Edna's frustration with her marriage and her husband's treatment of her reaches a climax when she tries to destroy her wedding ring by crushing it under her heel. This symbolic act represents her desire to break free from the constraints of her marriage and assert her independence. She no longer wishes to be merely one of her husband's expensive possessions or an ornamental figurine, adhering to the rules of high society. Edna's fit, which includes breaking a vase, is an outward expression of her inner turmoil and her desire to break out of the trap of her marriage.
Edna's journey of self-discovery leads her to make bold declarations about her identity and her relationships. She tells Madame Ratignolle that she will never sacrifice herself for anyone, not even her children. This statement reflects her desire to protect the integrity of her being and her refusal to be defined solely by her role as a mother. Edna is discovering herself as a whole person and is unwilling to compromise her personality, desires, and happiness for anyone else. She is seeking to define herself on her own terms, rather than through the expectations of others.
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Edna's rejection of high society rules
In Kate Chopin's *The Awakening*, Edna Pontellier undergoes a process of emotional, intellectual, and sexual awakening. This awakening leads her to reject the rules of high society and assert her independence.
Edna's awakening is also reflected in her attitude towards marriage and her relationship with her husband. She feels trapped in her marriage and expresses a desire for independence and self-discovery. At one point, she tries to destroy her wedding ring by crushing it under her heel, symbolically rejecting the constraints of her marital role. Edna sees herself as more than just one of her husband's possessions to be admired and valued solely for her material worth.
Furthermore, Edna's rejection of societal norms extends to her role as a mother. In a conversation with Madame Ratignolle, Edna asserts that she would not sacrifice herself, even for her children. She is unwilling to compromise her sense of self and personal happiness for the sake of conforming to societal expectations of motherhood.
Edna's infatuation with Robert Lebrun further distances her from the expectations of high society. Her feelings for Robert are not those of a typical married woman, and she finds herself constantly possessed by thoughts of him. Robert's abrupt departure for Mexico leaves Edna feeling anguish and disappointment.
Overall, Edna's rejection of high society rules in *The Awakening* is a central theme that highlights her journey towards self-discovery and independence. She challenges the expectations of marriage, motherhood, and femininity, asserting her right to define herself on her own terms.
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Leonce's materialism and devotion to convention
In Kate Chopin's "The Awakening," Edna Pontellier's husband, Leonce, is a wealthy businessman with a strong devotion to convention and materialism. Leonce's character represents the societal expectations and constraints that Edna seeks to break free from in her journey of self-discovery.
Leonce's materialism is evident in how he views and treats Edna. He sees her as a valuable possession rather than an individual with her own thoughts and feelings. For instance, when Edna fails to receive his business calls on the day she usually stays home to do so, he becomes angry as it affects his business relations. This incident highlights how Leonce expects Edna to conform to traditional gender roles and societal norms, prioritizing his business and maintaining appearances over her personal freedom.
Leonce's devotion to convention is also reflected in his expectations of Edna as a wife and mother. He expects her to perform her social and motherly obligations in conventional ways, including adhering to Creole social standards. When Edna begins to neglect her social duties, Leonce becomes uncomfortable and worried, indicating his strict adherence to societal norms. He chastises Edna for any perceived oversights without trying to understand her perspective or the reasons behind her actions.
Additionally, Leonce's focus on his image and business success makes it challenging for him to acknowledge and support Edna's process of self-discovery. He becomes apathetic and even ill-tempered towards her. For example, when Edna brings her sketching materials onto the porch, he expresses frustration, indicating his lack of understanding and respect for her interests and hobbies.
In a pivotal moment, Edna tries to destroy her wedding ring by crushing it under her heel, symbolizing her frustration with her marriage and her desire to break free from the constraints imposed by Leonce and societal expectations.
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Frequently asked questions
Edna tries to destroy her wedding ring to express her frustration with her marriage and her husband Leonce's treatment of her. She feels trapped in her marriage and wants to break out and assert her independence.
Edna tries to crush her wedding ring under her heel but fails to do so. Instead, she breaks a vase.
After trying and failing to destroy her wedding ring, Edna picks up the ring and puts it back on her finger.
