Music as a Symbol of Independence: Fighting Social Rules and Regulations
Summary:
an essay on the awakening by kate choping and the symbolism of music in the book. In the book Madam Ratignolle is the perfect example of a mother-woman. Her piano playing is not for artistic reasons; she doesn't play for art. Adele plays the piano merely for society.
In Kate Chopin's The Awakening music and how it is perceived is representative of Edna's awakening. Music is an important symbol in the novel. In a way it foreshadows the events that take place in Edna's life. The two musicians who play for Edna, Mademoiselle Reisz and Madame Ratignolle, with their music inspire in her different emotions which later serve as catalysts in her awakening. These two women represent two different courses in life which Edna can fallow regarding her independence and self-discovery.
In the book Madam Ratignolle is the perfect example of a mother-woman. Her piano playing is not for artistic reasons; she doesn't play for art. Adele plays the piano merely for society. This is why her music is lacking emotion and is commonplace. Although it is overall good piano playing it lacks passion. It fallows the social rules and regulations of the Victorian Age and therefore is not a tool for self-expression. Listening to Adele play although somewhat enjoyable only inspires humdrum pictures in Edna's mind. Adele binds Edna to society, restraining her creativity and ultimately her search for self. Adele serves as a catalyst for Edna because by means of her lack of self expression in her music due to social regulations she inspires a sense of rebellion in Edna, a desire for more than the conformities of the social standards.
Mademoiselle Reisz is a true artist. She performs the pieces with passion which make Edna feel that passion of the pieces rather than just simply forming mental pictures of them. Edna is moved by Reisz's performances, by her music, because it causes her to experience passion which she lacks in her life. By forming a relationship with Reisz Edna becomes aware that she is capable of passion and therefore wants to brake with society and its rules. By discovering these new emotions she begins her awakening and wants to become an artist. Reisz however warns her by saying to her "To be an artist includes much; one must possess many gifts--absolute gifts--which have not been acquired by one's own effort. And moreover, to succeed the artist must possess the courageous soul." Edna doesn't listen to this warning because she is ready to put her feelings on the line, to risk it all. She wants to discover herself and experience freedom.
Edna, with Reisz as her mentor and Adele as her friend and foil, sets sail on the path of self discovery. Both inspire a sense of rebellion in her, Adele by showing her the conformities of society through her music and Reisz by introducing her to passion with her performances. One represents what she wants to escape and the other what she wants to become. Edna's husband could see her transformation "He could see plainly that she was not herself. That is, he could not see that she was becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garment with which to appear before the world" (chapter XIX). Edna was ready to brake with society, with the mother-woman type and become herself "I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself." (Chapter XVI). Music is the catalyst of her rebellion and transformation.
This is the complete article, containing 536 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page).
