Kate Chopin's The Awakening and Feminine Self-Discovery
Revisiting one of our favorite high school reads
Hello, listeners!
Like many of you, Sara and I are currently practicing social distancing, which means taking Bingley and Penny for walks, moving our classes online, and—of course—finding solace in literature. Our literary discussions have felt particularly important and special in this time of minimal socialization. We hope that you’re enjoying podcast episodes, audiobooks, Skype calls, or whatever else makes you feel connected, entertained, and calm.
Today we’re discussing The Awakening by Kate Chopin. This novella published in 1899 follows Edna Pontellier as she discovers her desires and her identity outside of wifehood and motherhood. Our discussion includes how this book illustrates the constraints placed on 19th century women, why we don’t seem to have any issues with the infidelity in the novel, and how Kate Chopin speaks to modern-day mom-shaming. We also dig into some of the problematic content in this book and offer suggestions on how to read it through a more modern lens.
Plus, as always, we’re recommending six contemporary books to pair with our classic including a young adult novel full of evocative nature imagery and a closed door second chance romance.
For more feminist reading material, here are some links we’re loving this week:
The Classic Novel That Saw Pleasure as a Path to Freedom
What It Is to Wake Up (Carmen Maria Machado’s introduction to the 2019 Modern Library version of The Awakening)
These Inspiring Books About Women & By Women Will Teach You a Thing or Two
Some of these links are Bookshop affiliate links. We earn a small commission when you make a purchase using these links (plus, you support independent bookstores).
Currently Reading:
I started reading The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel, and while I know I’ll enjoy it at another time, I couldn’t focus and had to set it aside. Instead, I picked up The Fiery Cross, book five in the Outlander series. Claire’s voice is really soothing to me, and Gabaldon’s intricate historical details are somehow exactly what I need right now. I’m also listening to The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert, courtesy of Libro.fm*. And, as always, I read romance before bed each night. My current romance is My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh, which I would recommend to those who love the Veronica Speedwell series by Deanna Raybourn.
*Listeners, we’re excited to be partnering with Libro.fm to offer you three audiobooks for the price of one. Just click this link to get three audiobooks for $15 all while supporting the pod and independent bookstores!
Where to find us:
Download episodes of Novel Pairings wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. Find Sara at @fictionmatters and her blog. Find me at @chelseyreads or @hereadsheread.
We declare after all, there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!
Have a lovely week, everyone!
-Chelsey