The Awakening Critical Lens by Justin Griggs

Defining Psychoanalytical Criticism - Charlie

12529783 — 2024-10-28 14:36:56 UTC

Psychoanalytical criticism adopts the methods of "reading" employed by Freud and later theorists to interpret texts. It argues that literary texts, like dreams, express the secret unconscious desires and anxieties of the author, that a literary work is a manifestation of the author's own neuroses. One may psychoanalyze a particular character within a literary work, but it is usually assumed that all such characters are projections of the author's psyche.

Psychoanalytical Criticism Examples - Tyler

12550296 — 2024-10-28 14:44:24 UTC

Within psychoanalytical criticism, there are many ways to use it to decipher how things are truly meant to be interpreted by the reader. Within this topic, there are a few ways primarily to apply it to the text being read. Among these include analyzing the author's life, analyzing the themes and events of the story along with thoughts of the characters, the way the text is constructed, and also comparing yourself to the author in an effort to try and see where the author is coming from with his thoughts.

Defining Psychological Criticism - Wes

12513132 — 2024-10-28 14:51:28 UTC

Psychological criticism as it is used in literature is studying the character's minds and the themes they represent. By looking through the characters thoughts and actions we are better able to understand their motivations. The main point is to analyze the mind of not only the character but the author as well.

The Swim - Wes

12513132 — 2024-11-05 14:29:55 UTC

During Chapter 10, Edna was finally able to master the ability to swim out into the ocean. Although this seems like a monotonous thing, this is the spark of Edna's awakening, "She would not join the groups in their sports an bouts, but intoxicated with her newly conquered power, she swam out alone." After this moment we now have a different Edna. Her thoughts and actions take a dramatic swing that represents a whole new persona.

Chapter 6 Example - Eli

12554430_1_1 — 2024-11-05 15:30:39 UTC

"The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace." (pg18), This chapter sets up Edna's connection to the sea, which symbolizes her need for freedom, and foreshadows her journey toward self-awakening and independence in the novel

Chapter 17 Example - Tyler

12550296 — 2024-11-05 15:32:36 UTC

"Why, what could have taken you out on Tuesday? What did you have to do?" "Nothing. I simply felt like going out, and I went out."

This quote shows psychological criticism because it shows some of the actions that come from Edna's motivation to become independent, and it shows just how Edna is changing into her own person.

Edna At Sea And Its Representation - Eli

12554430_1_1 — 2024-11-05 15:33:48 UTC

This image really shows Edna, reflecting her deep inner need for change and self-discovery. The openness of the water shows her journey, which is far, unknown, and endless, much like her quest to define her own identity.

Chapter 11 Example - Ishaan

12507938_1_1 — 2024-11-05 15:36:11 UTC

In Chapter 11, we see Edna asserting her independence further when she defies her husband, Leonce, by refusing to come inside when he asks. This is an important shift in Edna's mental state as she starts breaking away from societal expectations and her husband's authority:

“Another time she would have gone in at his request. She would, through habit, have yielded to his desire; not with any sense of submission or obedience to his compelling wishes, but unthinkingly, as we walk, move, sit, stand, go through the daily treadmill of the life which has been portioned out to us.” (pg 41)

In this moment, Edna resists the “daily treadmill” of her usual role, showing her growing self-awareness and need for freedom. This represents a big step in her journey toward self-discovery/freedom.

Motherhood - Wes

12513132 — 2024-11-05 15:39:46 UTC

Through her actions it is clear that Edna is not the normal type of mother. Even when talking to her friend Adèle in Chapter 16, Edna makes it clear that she is not willing to give everything for them, "I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children, but I wouldn’t give myself." Also later in the text when the children leave to stay with their grandparents Edna "breathed a big, genuine sigh of relief" to finally be alone to herself.

Chapter 27 Example - Tyler

12550296 — 2024-11-05 15:44:15 UTC

"It was the first kiss of her life to which her nature had really responded. It was a flaming torch that kindled desire."

This quote symbolizes psychological criticism because it shows where Edna's new personality is taking her, and it highlights the possible dangers of independence and how easy it can be to get tricked.

Chapter 5 Example of Psychological Criticism- Charlie

12529783 — 2024-11-05 15:55:51 UTC

In Chapter 5 of The Awakening, Edna Pontellier starts to feel differently while spending time with Robert and Madame Ratignolle. Her connection with Robert makes her question her life as a wife and mother. Psychologically, this chapter shows Edna beginning to wake up to her own desires and wondering who she really is, apart from what others expect her to be.

Chapter 21 Example - Ishaan

12507938_1_1 — 2024-11-05 15:56:47 UTC

In Chapter 21, Edna visits Mademoiselle Reisz, who is one of the few characters that supports Edna's developing freedomn. During their conversation, Mademoiselle Reisz plays the piano, moving Edna deeply, and mentions that Edna must be "brave" if she is to pursue her dreams. This is really important to Edna’s inner journey: “The artist must possess the courageous soul… the soul that dares and defies” (pg. 85,86). Here, Edna realizes that true freedom will require more than just surface-level changes.This moment solidifies Edna's internal conflict between her desires and the expectations placed on her, marking another step in her awakening.

Chapter 6 Example of Psychological Criticism - Charlie

12529783 — 2024-11-11 16:54:41 UTC

In this chapter, Edna begins to feel more like an individual with her own thoughts and wishes. Edna starts to realize she wants more than to just be a wife and a mom. Kate Chopin writes that Edna is starting to see “her position in the universe as a human being, Pg. 17” meaning that Edna is becoming aware of her own desires and wants to be more than what society expects. This chapter shows Edna’s shift in her mindset and her increasing discontent with traditional roles. This marks critical points in her psychological transformation.

Chapter 17 Example of Psychological Criticism - Charlie

12529783 — 2024-11-11 17:16:53 UTC

In this chapter, Edna feels upset and stuck when her husband criticizes her. She starts to push back in small ways, like ignoring her usual social duties. This shows her inner fight to break free from her role in the family and society, as she starts wanting more freedom. It shows Edna beginning to see herself as her own person, not just what others expect her to be.