As we were defending/criticizing Edna's character in class today, I couldn't help but think two major things. My first thought was that if we are going to pass a judgment on Edna, we have to pass one on Mr. Pontellier. We call her a bad mother and wife, but I do not think that Mr. Pontellier is even close to being father of the year. Edna removes herself, whether accidentally or on purpose, from her family. Despite her infidelity and eventual assumed suicide, she is still very fond of both her husband and especially her children. Chopin writes, "It was a wrench and a pain that Edna left her children" (95). While Edna seems to suffer some sort of depression that disables her from staying connected to her family, she in fact does remember the children throughout the story and never sees them in a bitter or harsh light. While we do not get a great deal of information regarding Mr. Pontellier's character, there are some seriously troubling inferences that are being ignored during our class discussions. Mr. Pontellier seems to only care about image. He is in love with his possessions and is wholly concerned with observing social etiquette and preventing any scandal or embarrassment. He frequently goes on business trips, and gambles at night. Mr. Pontellier allows his wealth and pride to be the center of his universe, NOT his children. The only difference is that he can leave for months at a time and there is no scandal given his social position and gender. He is allowed to have certain freedoms and drop his children on Edna or the maid. While it is never directly stated, I believe that the children are just another extension of what Mr. Pontellier owns. He does not wish Edna to be more of a "mother-woman" for the sake of the children, but only so their friends and neighbors think that they are a good family.
My other issue is that many opinions expressed today were very harsh of Edna. I completely understand that infidelity and suicide appear to be selfish and cruel, and perhaps they are. That being said, I do not think that we should even attempt to pass judgment on any of these characters. Chopin clearly didn't write any of these characters to serve as "good" or "bad". She most likely did not intend for Edna to be a role model, but merely a sad story of one woman's troubled mind and spirit.
In defense of Mr. Pontellier, he only gambled one night during the story. We can infer what we want, but there is no textual evidence to support a gambling addiction. As for his business trips, he is doing that to support his family. I perceived Mr. Pontellier's relationship with his children to be much greater than Edna's. I actually think Mr. Pontellier is a good dad who provides for his family (including his adulterous wife).
ReplyDeleteI don't believe he has an addiction, I do believe that he is already very wealthy and would not have to travel and be away so much if he wasn't preoccupied with always looking wealthy.
ReplyDeleteFair point. I think it really is conjecture at this point as Chopin does not give many details concerning the parenting quality of the Pontelliers or anything from the children's point of view.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Mr. Pontellier's image is his biggest concern. In defense of him, though, I also believe Mr. Pontellier's actions are simply due to the fact that he is a product of an aristocratic mentality within a patriarchal society. He focuses his life (and identity) based on what he views (and has been taught) as success: a devoted wife, well behaved children, high priced possessions. In this society, his role was not to really parent his young sons, but to set an example for them. His presence as the head of the house, and sole provider for his family should have been enough to produce success. Unfortunately, it didn't and it left him baffled. I also believe his story is a tragedy. He did the only thing he knew to be right and it blew up in his face.
ReplyDeleteGreat discussion going on here on this thread. Well done, each of you!
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