Article Summary "The Awakening"

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Larson Webb, Bernice. "Four Points of Equilibrium in "The Awakening"." South Central Bulletin 42.4 (1982): 148-151. JSTOR. Web. 7 Mar 2013. Word Bernice Larson Webb, author of “Four Points of Equilibrium in the Awakening”, argued that Kate Chopin did not run around in circles. Webb says that “she knew what she was doing.” Like her personal life, Chopin’s stories follow a similar circular pattern, “moving in and out of a series of settings before returning to their beginnings” as Webb puts it. The awakening is set up into four places. Webb states her thesis as “structurally the awakening may be seen, from one stance, as built around a circle leading through four distinct points of equilibrium. They include a starting point, Grand Isle; two intermediate points in the city of new Orleans , first as a large residence ( double cottage) and then a small house (pigeon house); and, circling back, Grand Isle again.” Webb then explains each point. The first point of equilibrium is Grand isle where the Pontellier family vacation at a summer resort. While Edna’s husband is away at business trips, Edna falls in love Robert Lebrun. With Robert she learns that “a married women can be physically attracted to a man other than her husband.” Robert leaves to Mexico and Edna is left longing for him. The second part of equilibrium takes place at the Pontellier’s “double cottage” on Esplanade Street. Edna revolts against her marriage and starts to broaden her self-determination. When Leonce leave and the children are taken away, Edna is utterly free. Edna begins to be rebellious and deny authority and male dominance. When she moves out of the Pontellier roof into her own (Pigeon house) this marks the final of her actions at the second point of equilibrium. Edna’s move into the pigeon house marks the third point of equilibrium. Here the three most dominant males in her life
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