January Monthly Blog

I think Question thirteen of the Socratic Seminar for The Awakening is important. The question asks, “In what ways do each of the three men in Edna’s life try to possess her? What is each man seeking in her?” Mr. Pontellier tries to possess Edna by attempting to control her activities. He wants her to be the ideal wife and take interest in the housekeeping and decoration. He becomes upset when she neglects what he believes are her duties. Edna goes out on Tuesdays and does not leave excuses for her callers and no longer attends to the meals, children, or housekeeping. His possession of Edna is through the idea of a wife’s role and by trying to force her to follow this idea. Mr. Pontellier mainly seeks an appearance in Edna. He wants their family to appear to be ideal and believes the Edna’s abandonment of her role could cost them in social and business aspects. Alcee Arobin tries to possess Edna in a more physical way. His interest in their affair is very much because of the physical aspect which is why he is not well-liked. Alcee, in a way, draws Edna out of her home and into the pigeon house because of his very inappropriate attention to her. He supports her actions and decisions as long as there is a possible benefit for him too. Arobin is seeking an adulterous relationship from Edna. Robert tries to possess Edna by spending time with her. At the beginning of the novel, they spend the entire day together, every day. Edna often chooses to spend time with Robert rather than Mr. Pontellier which shows how Robert is using her time as a possessive quality. Robert is seeking to be taken seriously by Edna. In all his former, similar relationships, Robert’s affections were never taken seriously. He even goes away because he knows that being taken seriously would be wrong since Edna is married. I think Edna’s relationships with the three men are very similar to many relationships in today’s society. There are many ideas about a perfect relationship and how both parties in the relationship should act. Many people focus so much on having a perfect, romantic relationship that there is never any substance to it which causes trouble just like the Pontelliers have. There are also many purely physical relationships which go along with what Arobin was seeking from Edna. Many people become possessive in relationships today. Especially with texting, people get angry over not being responded to immediately or over the person communicating with other people. Just like with Robert, some people today try to take over every minute of their significant other’s life. I do not agree with the ways any of the three men try to possess Edna. Possessiveness does not really belong in a romantic relationship and the idea of seeking something specific out of a relationship is not right either. Those types of relationships do not allow for individuality or respect.