Sunday, March 1, 2015
Influences of Mrs. Pontellier and Madame Ratignolle
I find the relationship between Edna Pontellier and Adele Ratignolle to be an interesting one. The first description we receive of Madame Ratignolle comes from Mr. Pontellier as he is contemplating his wife's lacking of motherly qualities. She is descried as "the embodiment of every womanly grace and charm," and her beauty is "flaming and apparent" (8). This is nearly the opposite description of what we receive of Mrs. Pontellier. She is described as "rather handsome than beautiful" and "a contradictory subtle play of features" (3). One woman is "apparent" while the other is "subtle." Mrs. Pontellier acknowledges the difference between the two women. It is stated that "never would Edna Pontellier forget the shock with which she heard Madame Ratignolle relating to old Monsieur Farival the Harrowing story of one of her accouchements" (9).The differing descriptions of the women led me to believe, at first, that there would be conflict between them. However, the women are close friends, and Mrs. Pontellier looks fondly to Madame Ratignole. Upon their trip to the beach, Edna confides in Adele. Edna states that Adele had a large influence over her that summer (14). Their trip to the beach seems to be Edna's first experience with affection from which she does not withdraw (17). Likewise, Adele acts protectively toward Edna, asking Robert to "let Mrs. Pontellier alone" (19). The women obviously care for each other, and have influence on each other with their differing actions. I look forward to observing how their relationship progresses and the influences that the women to continue to have over each other.
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Kristi, I agree that the contrasts between these two women is intriguing. Rather than causing conflict they are, as you point out in your post, close friends. I suspect that their differences stem from their disparate levels of consciousness (awakening) and the fact that Edna Pontellier is not a Creole. Ethnicity plays a role in defining women's performative roles.Creoles place great emphasis on mothering; however, Edna, who is thoroughly Americanized, craved a more sensuous life of risk and reward, one that could not be obtained by accepting her culturally defined role.
ReplyDeleteI like what you've brought up. I think we spent a lot of time talking about Edna's relationships with her husband and Robert, but have not really touched on her same sex relationships, which may prove to be just as important. I agree with you, though, that the relationship between the woman will be interesting to see progress as we read on.
ReplyDeleteAs I wrote in my post, I feel that this relationship is more than just a friendhship. Mrs. Ratignolle fulfills Mrs. Pontelliers happiness. Her happiness is absent because she is expected to be a domesticated wife and mother to her husband and children and she is not happy playing this role. I feel that she find her happiness within Mrs Ratignolle because Mrs. Ratignolle plays the domesticated role; therefore, Mrs. Pontellier does not have to. I also read that they are more than friends because of the imagery Chopin utilizes when they are on the beach. She describes them both wearing white and Mrs. Ratignolle is wearing a veil. It reminded me of a wedding in a way. I felt that Chopin was making a bigger statement during this piece of text. I agree with you completely!
ReplyDeleteI like that you put emphasis on Edna and Adele's relationship with each other. They are clearly important to each other, even though their personalities are completely different. Even after they leave the island, the two remain friends.
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