Historical and Cultural Historical and Cultural Background of Background of The The

AwakeningAwakening

FeracoFeraco

Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential

23 February 200923 February 2009

Originality DisclaimerOriginality Disclaimer This information was originally researched, This information was originally researched,

compiled, and written by Neal Wyatt in 1995compiled, and written by Neal Wyatt in 1995 I have heavily modified Wyatt’s text, I have heavily modified Wyatt’s text,

changing some of his language and inserting changing some of his language and inserting much of my own, but Wyatt deserves equal – much of my own, but Wyatt deserves equal – if not greater – credit for this work.if not greater – credit for this work.

You can find this piece in its original form at You can find this piece in its original form at http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/eng384/katetime.htmhttp://www.vcu.edu/engweb/eng384/katetime.htm

Some portions are also inspired by the Center Some portions are also inspired by the Center for Learning’s description of Creole culture.for Learning’s description of Creole culture.

On the Tipping Point of On the Tipping Point of HistoryHistory

The AwakeningThe Awakening was first published just was first published just before the dawn of the twentieth century. before the dawn of the twentieth century.

It was a time of massive social upheaval, It was a time of massive social upheaval, an era that witnessed tension and conflict an era that witnessed tension and conflict between defenders of tradition and between defenders of tradition and agitators for change and modernization. agitators for change and modernization.

The country’s identity continued to shift The country’s identity continued to shift as industrialization and urbanization as industrialization and urbanization advanced, and the wounds inflicted upon advanced, and the wounds inflicted upon its society by the Civil War three decades its society by the Civil War three decades earlier had not yet scarred over.earlier had not yet scarred over.

Everything’s ChangingEverything’s Changing At the same time, technology advanced by At the same time, technology advanced by

leaps and bounds. leaps and bounds. The World’s Fair in Chicago heralded the rise The World’s Fair in Chicago heralded the rise

of the Machine Age. of the Machine Age. Darwin’s theories of evolution were beginning Darwin’s theories of evolution were beginning

to gain public acceptance, and the women’s to gain public acceptance, and the women’s suffrage movement continued to make itself suffrage movement continued to make itself heard. heard.

These developments, along with many others, These developments, along with many others, seemed to threaten the “traditional” seemed to threaten the “traditional” American way of life and the fundamental American way of life and the fundamental philosophical assumptions supporting its philosophical assumptions supporting its social conventions.social conventions.

It’s the End of the World It’s the End of the World As We Know ItAs We Know It

It’s unsurprising that American It’s unsurprising that American citizens had understandably mixed citizens had understandably mixed feelings about these developments – feelings about these developments – as well as those gathering on the as well as those gathering on the figurative horizon – during the figurative horizon – during the nineteenth century’s last decade. nineteenth century’s last decade.

We can somewhat identify with their We can somewhat identify with their sentiments, since we, too, live in an sentiments, since we, too, live in an age of rapid societal change. age of rapid societal change.

Pushing the Boundaries of Pushing the Boundaries of ImaginationImagination

Think of the massive technological upgrades our Think of the massive technological upgrades our society has incorporated into its daily routines over society has incorporated into its daily routines over the past decade! the past decade!

We carry devices that would have made We carry devices that would have made Star Trek’sStar Trek’s Captain Kirk jealous. Captain Kirk jealous.

The computer I’m using to write this lecture The computer I’m using to write this lecture outstrips its predecessors’ capabilities by outstrips its predecessors’ capabilities by magnitudes of order – it utilizes a faster processor, magnitudes of order – it utilizes a faster processor, a larger hard drive, and an Internet browser a larger hard drive, and an Internet browser (Firefox!) that would embarrass the AOL-reliant (Firefox!) that would embarrass the AOL-reliant Americans living in 1999, let alone 1989 – or 1899! Americans living in 1999, let alone 1989 – or 1899!

(Did anyone own a printer in 1979?)(Did anyone own a printer in 1979?) We take the incredible for granted – because we We take the incredible for granted – because we

forced the incredible to become the routine.forced the incredible to become the routine.

Do Not DisturbDo Not Disturb We are creatures of comfort, somewhat We are creatures of comfort, somewhat

worshipful of tradition and somewhat fearful of worshipful of tradition and somewhat fearful of the unknown. the unknown.

New eras excite us, once we realize that they New eras excite us, once we realize that they won’t destroy society as we know itwon’t destroy society as we know it Before accepting these changes, we tend to be Before accepting these changes, we tend to be

suspicious of radical change. suspicious of radical change. This essential part of our national character has This essential part of our national character has

not changed even after a century’s passage. not changed even after a century’s passage. Your lifestyle would be unrecognizable – perhaps Your lifestyle would be unrecognizable – perhaps

even unfathomable – to one of Chopin’s even unfathomable – to one of Chopin’s contemporary Midwestern readers, just as their contemporary Midwestern readers, just as their social conventions and expectations seem somewhat social conventions and expectations seem somewhat alien to us. alien to us.

Stitched TogetherStitched Together Nowhere were social conventions more alien Nowhere were social conventions more alien

than in Louisiana, a region perhaps more ill-than in Louisiana, a region perhaps more ill-suited for the coming changes to American suited for the coming changes to American ways of life than any other. ways of life than any other.

The state’s culture was Frankensteinian, The state’s culture was Frankensteinian, resurrected and stitched together from the resurrected and stitched together from the constituent parts of American, Southern, and constituent parts of American, Southern, and Creole ways of life. Creole ways of life.

The aforementioned aftereffects of the Civil The aforementioned aftereffects of the Civil War reverberated particularly strongly here War reverberated particularly strongly here (and Chopin’s portrayal of Edna’s father (and Chopin’s portrayal of Edna’s father proves she recognized the phenomenon).proves she recognized the phenomenon).

Understanding Creole Understanding Creole CultureCulture

Yet while American and Southern cultures Yet while American and Southern cultures intermingled somewhat uneasily, the truth is that intermingled somewhat uneasily, the truth is that both sprung from a common ancestor – and, both sprung from a common ancestor – and, although recently sundered, therefore shared more although recently sundered, therefore shared more similarities than differences. similarities than differences.

Creole culture proved somewhat more problematic. Creole culture proved somewhat more problematic. It was a Catholic way of life in a largely Protestant It was a Catholic way of life in a largely Protestant

country, which remains something of a social issue. country, which remains something of a social issue. For example, the major parties have nominated two For example, the major parties have nominated two

Catholics for president since the country’s founding, and Catholics for president since the country’s founding, and the lone Catholic president was assassinated before the the lone Catholic president was assassinated before the end of his first term; we haven’t nominated another since.end of his first term; we haven’t nominated another since.

More Fun With Creoles!More Fun With Creoles! The Creoles were largely Caucasian, The Creoles were largely Caucasian,

descendents of the French and Spaniards descendents of the French and Spaniards who originally settled in the state. who originally settled in the state.

Their culture was aristocratic, largely Their culture was aristocratic, largely because their forebears had access to land because their forebears had access to land and titles, and they were a particularly and titles, and they were a particularly proud people. proud people.

They kept exclusive and high-class companyThey kept exclusive and high-class company Note that the vacationers at the Lebruns’ place Note that the vacationers at the Lebruns’ place

essentially compose the local social circle essentially compose the local social circle They deeply discouraged marrying against They deeply discouraged marrying against

class boundaries, fearing it would dilute the class boundaries, fearing it would dilute the “purity of their blood.” “purity of their blood.”

Still Still MoreMore Fun With Fun With Creoles!Creoles!

Some Creole settlings isolated themselves Some Creole settlings isolated themselves from the larger American culturefrom the larger American culture For example, the people populating the village For example, the people populating the village

that Kate Chopin lived in for several years that Kate Chopin lived in for several years considered themselves citizens of France and considered themselves citizens of France and spoke only French. spoke only French.

Finally, they seemed almost naturally Finally, they seemed almost naturally inclined to love music. inclined to love music. It’s therefore unsurprising that Chopin utilizes It’s therefore unsurprising that Chopin utilizes

music as a symbol of self-expression (a music as a symbol of self-expression (a lobotomized one, in the case of the Farival lobotomized one, in the case of the Farival twins) so frequently over the course of the twins) so frequently over the course of the novel.novel.

Creole Attitudes Towards Creole Attitudes Towards WomenWomen Creole women in particular were extremely Creole women in particular were extremely

conservative – perhaps the most conservative conservative – perhaps the most conservative group in the nation at the time. group in the nation at the time.

They were frank and open in discussing their They were frank and open in discussing their marriages and children, but could do so because marriages and children, but could do so because their very moral nature did not allow any doubt as their very moral nature did not allow any doubt as to their chastity; to their chastity; Chopin reflects this tendency in her portrayal of the Chopin reflects this tendency in her portrayal of the

various wives vacationing at Grand Isle. various wives vacationing at Grand Isle. Chopin also shows that Creole women were Chopin also shows that Creole women were

committed as a group to their husbands and committed as a group to their husbands and children. children. This commitment to fidelity was both deeply personal This commitment to fidelity was both deeply personal

and deeply religious. and deeply religious. I’ve mentioned before that if Léonce is the perfect I’ve mentioned before that if Léonce is the perfect

Creole husband, Adèle is the perfect Creole wifeCreole husband, Adèle is the perfect Creole wife Perhaps this statement makes more sense in light of Perhaps this statement makes more sense in light of

these cultural concerns. these cultural concerns.

Et tu, Napoleon?Et tu, Napoleon? Finally, Louisiana possessed an idiosyncratic legal Finally, Louisiana possessed an idiosyncratic legal

system. system. It was the only state in the nation to operate under a It was the only state in the nation to operate under a

different code than the one outlined in the national different code than the one outlined in the national constitution. constitution.

The Louisiana Code – modeled upon France’s archaic The Louisiana Code – modeled upon France’s archaic Napoleonic Code – stated that a woman literally Napoleonic Code – stated that a woman literally belonged to the man she married, which meant belonged to the man she married, which meant everything she possessed also now fell under his everything she possessed also now fell under his purview. purview. Specifically, Article 1388 established the absolute control of Specifically, Article 1388 established the absolute control of

the male over the family. the male over the family. In a particularly misogynistic passage, Article 1124 equated In a particularly misogynistic passage, Article 1124 equated

married women with babies and the mentally ill – in that all married women with babies and the mentally ill – in that all three were deemed incompetent to make a contract, let three were deemed incompetent to make a contract, let alone honor one (save the marriage contract). alone honor one (save the marriage contract).

As a result, feminists and suffragettes faced As a result, feminists and suffragettes faced particularly tough resistance in the state. particularly tough resistance in the state.

The Times…They Are A-The Times…They Are A-ChangingChanging Fortunately for them, other states proved Fortunately for them, other states proved

more sympathetic to their cause – and at any more sympathetic to their cause – and at any rate, technological and economic forces rate, technological and economic forces much larger than themselves helped bolster much larger than themselves helped bolster their arguments. their arguments.

The Industrial Revolution transformed The Industrial Revolution transformed handicrafts, which woman had always done in handicrafts, which woman had always done in their homes, into a machine-powered, mass- their homes, into a machine-powered, mass- produced industry. produced industry. This meant that This meant that lower-classlower-class women could earn women could earn

wages as factory workers. wages as factory workers. This was the beginning of their independence, This was the beginning of their independence,

even though the conditions were hazardous, the even though the conditions were hazardous, the pay low, and their income was legally controlled pay low, and their income was legally controlled by their husbands or fathers. by their husbands or fathers.

The Woes of the WealthyThe Woes of the Wealthy Ironically, this placed middle and upper-class Ironically, this placed middle and upper-class

women at something of a disadvantage. women at something of a disadvantage. They were still expected to stay at home as idle, They were still expected to stay at home as idle,

decorative symbols of their husbands' wealth. decorative symbols of their husbands' wealth. They were, as Virginia Woolf termed it, expected They were, as Virginia Woolf termed it, expected

to be angels in the house. to be angels in the house. They cared for their homes, husbands, and children. They cared for their homes, husbands, and children. They played music, sang, or drew in order to enhance They played music, sang, or drew in order to enhance

the charm of their homes and to reflect well on their the charm of their homes and to reflect well on their husbands. husbands.

They were also frequently pregnant, largely due to They were also frequently pregnant, largely due to restrictions on birth control.restrictions on birth control.

Wives were possessions, cared for and displayed, Wives were possessions, cared for and displayed, who often brought a dowry or inherited wealth to who often brought a dowry or inherited wealth to a marriage. a marriage. They were expected to subordinate their needs to They were expected to subordinate their needs to

their husband's wishes. their husband's wishes. Basically, they were expected to be Adèle. Basically, they were expected to be Adèle.

Yes, The Times Are A-Yes, The Times Are A-Changing… Changing…

The suffrage movement and the The suffrage movement and the abolitionist movement grew apace during abolitionist movement grew apace during the Civil War. the Civil War. The abolitionists’ progress outstripped the The abolitionists’ progress outstripped the

suffragists’ after the Union emerged suffragists’ after the Union emerged victorious from the war, with an 1868 victorious from the war, with an 1868 amendment to the Constitution allowing the amendment to the Constitution allowing the vote regardless of race, creed, or color – but vote regardless of race, creed, or color – but still codified discrimination against women at still codified discrimination against women at the ballot box. the ballot box.

(That would not change for fifty years.)(That would not change for fifty years.)

……Very, Very SlowlyVery, Very Slowly Over thirty years passed between the end of the Over thirty years passed between the end of the

Civil War and Civil War and The AwakeningThe Awakening’s publication, and ’s publication, and while the suffragettes had made strides over the while the suffragettes had made strides over the course of the decades, they had not yet won their course of the decades, they had not yet won their battle. battle. Attitudes toward women were changing, but at a Attitudes toward women were changing, but at a

frustratingly slow rate; traditionalists would have argued frustratingly slow rate; traditionalists would have argued that views regarding women’s proper place in society that views regarding women’s proper place in society were shifting far too quickly. were shifting far too quickly.

Kate Chopin was particularly fond of her Kate Chopin was particularly fond of her independence, and she would have been intimately independence, and she would have been intimately aware of these shifts; readers who are equally aware of these shifts; readers who are equally aware of them will quickly spot the influence of aware of them will quickly spot the influence of clashing social traditions in the vibrantly realized clashing social traditions in the vibrantly realized world of world of The AwakeningThe Awakening. .

Harsh Words and Shocked Harsh Words and Shocked ReadersReaders

The novel spoke to some who sympathized with The novel spoke to some who sympathized with the women’s movement, but it offended far more the women’s movement, but it offended far more of its readers. of its readers. The reception The reception The AwakeningThe Awakening received indicates the received indicates the

troubled social climate of the time.troubled social climate of the time. Contemporary critics were predominately hostile Contemporary critics were predominately hostile

toward the subject matter, although they took time toward the subject matter, although they took time – as I often do – to praise the artistry of the writing. – as I often do – to praise the artistry of the writing. Still, newspapers and magazines of the day were filled Still, newspapers and magazines of the day were filled

with such comments as "it is not a healthy book," "[it is] with such comments as "it is not a healthy book," "[it is] sex fiction," "the purport of the story can hardly be sex fiction," "the purport of the story can hardly be described in language fit for publication," "[it is] an described in language fit for publication," "[it is] an essentially vulgar story," and "[it is] unhealthy essentially vulgar story," and "[it is] unhealthy introspective and morbid." introspective and morbid."

Chopin was hurt by such a response, both Chopin was hurt by such a response, both personally and as a writer. personally and as a writer.

In Closing…In Closing… As the century drew to a close, it was As the century drew to a close, it was

marked by many changes, personified by marked by many changes, personified by the rise of industry and the struggle for the rise of industry and the struggle for sexual equality in the face of those who sexual equality in the face of those who would sacrifice progress in defense of would sacrifice progress in defense of tradition. tradition.

Change was everywhere, and much of the Change was everywhere, and much of the population struggled to come to terms with population struggled to come to terms with those developments. those developments.

In many ways In many ways The AwakeningThe Awakening encapsulates encapsulates this struggle, and Edna’s problematic this struggle, and Edna’s problematic experiences speak to the painful process experiences speak to the painful process that was in store for the country and its that was in store for the country and its women. women.