9-4-19

Before I write a close reading analysis, I always make sure to go through the novel and find quotes as I’m reading that I can highlight and use later for analysis. Mademoiselle Reisz has a quote in the novel where she says “the bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings”, and I am going to base my paper around this quote.

This quote can be analyzed from many different viewpoints. Chopin includes a lot of bird imagery in the novel to represent Edna and her struggle to find autonomy in her life.

I’ve began an outline that highlights each of the times that a bird is mentioned within the novel. This involves the parrot and the mockingbird at the beginning of the novel, and all of Reisz’s quotes about birds and their connection to liberation. Edna’s inner monologue and her true desires are articulated through the actions of each of the birds mentioned in the novel, and I can write about the importance of the bird motif.

Reisz and Ratignolle

9-8-19

Alright. Change of plans. About halfway through writing my first draft, I’ve realized that simply focusing on the bird motif in the novel will not be enough to have a very deep analysis of the Chopin’s novel. Simply writing about the similarities between bird quotes does not seem to provide enough content in my paper.

My solution to this problem is just to incorporate more of Mademoiselle Reisz’s character into my analysis. What is her reason for making these claims about freedom and autonomy? The reason I have found is that Reisz symbolizes the dream of autonomy that Edna has. Reisz is the vessel that motivates Edna to become an independent woman.

This dream for independence as portrayed through Reisz is countered by the character of Adele Ratignolle. Adele acts as the beauty queen/housewife archetype that everyone in Edna’s life seems to adore and worship. Even though she is oppressed, she seems to be happy with the life she is living. How are her actions and disposition different from Mademoiselle Reisz, and why is this distinction important? That’s what I plan on proceeding with in my draft.

Edna in the Middle

9-15-19

After submitting my revised draft to my professor, I’ve realized that I’ve focused most of my analysis into the two character of Reisz and Ratignolle. But this ignores a very important question in my analysis: What is the point of these characters in relation to Edna? What purpose do they serve to her, and what does Edna do with this information?

Edna is friends with both of these women, and she seems to see the good and bad qualities in each of them. Reisz is independent but outcast, and Adele is adored yet oppressed. The way that Edna synthesizes this information and decides which way to act is what I was missing in my first draft. Does Edna prefer one over the other? Does she ever get into an argument or conflict with one of these women?

Edna’s decision is eventually revealed in her decision to drown herself at the end of the novel. Both of the lifestyles that are shown to her by Reisz and Ratignolle are not worthy of her time. If Edna cannot feel truly free and accepted, then why bother living in the first place? Edna’s suicide is a revolutionary act to both her oppressors, and the burdens placed on her shoulders that beg her to choose between tradition and autonomy. This is essential to discovering the importance of Reisz and Ratignolle’s characters, so I need to reflect on that aspect in my revision of the paper.