Parr's The Awakening

Throughout The Awakening, a novel by Kate Chopin, the main character, Edna Pontellier showed signs of a growing depression. There are certain events that hasten this, events which eventually lead her to suicide.

     The weakness of women is found in various forms throughout the text. Henry refers to women as “a decorative sex” and that “they never have anything to say, but they say it charmingly.” (Wilde 43) Nowhere is this better supported than during Lady Henry’s

In the thirty year span between 1830 and 1860, the Second Great Awakening did much to change the modern American mind by sparking the abolitionist movement, empowering women (in their domestic sphere) and forming the cult of domesticity, partially fixing the corrupt government through the temperance movement, and in the creation of many utopian societies by radical religious populations. Puritanism was kicked to the side when Evangelicalism took root. This religious renaissance was absolutely more optimistic than worship from the past; sin was no longer an inevitable part of your being. Rather, you could find salvation through yourself, so long as

As the novel progresses, Edna is able to escape from the hands of Leonce Pontellier, and she moves into a small house down the street in which she calls the pigeon house. The symbol of the bird is used here by saying she may be able to release herself from Leonce but she isn’t able to release herself from society, that she if forever trapped. In the end of the novel, before Edna’s tragedy, a bird with a broken wing crashes into the sea. This bird can be connected with the advice that Mademoiselle Reisz told Edna that she needed strong wings to soar. The connection for shadows Edna’s tragedy, and reveals her complete failure to find complete freedom and happiness.

The great awakening was a devoted religious revival movement in the 1720s through the 1740s that was spread throughout the colonies by ministers. It inspired ordinary citizen to assert their right to independent judgment by allowing them to make their own decisions about their religion and personal lives. The great awakening sparked people to stand up for what they believed in; their religion. It inspired ordinary citizens to stand up against the authority so that they could basically have freedom of religion.

The video, Eyes on the Prize: Awakenings, gives an influential look into the beginning of the civil rights movement. It shared many different events that helped bring about the movement and eventually caused that Black society would have the same or similar rights as the White’s. The main events that took placed happened in the southern states, particularly in Alabama. In the US blacks were segregated and were not allowed the same rights or privileges as the white race. They also were of the poorer class and that made it harder for them to have a voice in specific matters. However, it was very strict in the south and almost everything has either a black or white section. As time passed blacks began to show small acts of courage of standing up for themselves and demanding equality.

During the Second Great Awakening many Americans were stirred by passionate religious movements and Mormonism was one of them. Although it initially began as a revelation given to Joseph Smith, his strong beliefs led to powerful revivals in the New York area that drew people from across the northeast. Despite strong interest and numerous converters to the faith, the Mormon community would not remain in the New York area for long. Though they had an objective of spreading Mormonism throughout America and other parts of the world, this was only part of the reason for their move west. Religious persecution, government issues, spiritual revelation, financial problems, and land disputes ultimately led to their decision to settle in Utah.

A lot of changes have been made in the course of American history from colonial times to the present. From a new country trying to develop, to a world superpower, many issues mainly regarding the rights of the people have changed and evolved for the better. As a young country, rights were very restricted to all those except white men, and as time has progressed, others began gaining rights throughout the different eras, such as the 2nd Great Awakening. This created a larger awareness of morality and eventually led to the Progressives, and by the 1900s, they were striving to move America forward and get more people involved in political matters. One of the main objectives of the Progressive movement was eliminating corruption in government,

Many people see American religious behavior or movements as similar and even identical-looking (at some times) to each other. This understanding is, however, simply inaccurate as best. Religious stirrings have spread throughout history in various different ways and channels. It is evident that the first European settlers in America developed colonies that prized religion very dearly. Many new colonists had even formed their colonists due to persecution in other countries where they could not practice what they were strongly convicted of. Once free to worship in the way they wished, religion, in many colonies, became strict and ritualistic. Many believed in one single faith, such as Puritanism or Separatism, and would not allow any heretical or contrary behaviors to be pursued. The people who had resented religious oppression would not allow other people in minority to practice what they felt was true. On the other hand, the Second Great Awakening, which materialized during the late 1700s and early 1800s, was a stark contrast to the stringent values the Massachusetts colonies had nurtured. Free thinking and new ideologies arose and abounded in the early 19th century. These two religious movements were far from being alike, even though they both centered around Christianity. The differences arose in the various doctrines, denominations, and dogmas the people held to in those two situations. These differences are important to understand in order to truly appreciate our

A wave of revivalism swept over the United States during the First Great Awakening that took place between 1734 and 1750. Many people came to accept the Christian faith during this time. This acceptance of the faith and different religious practices were not permanent and “by the end of the 18th century, many educated Americans no longer professed traditional Christian beliefs. In reaction to the secularism of the age, a religious revival spread westward in the first half of the 19th century. This ‘Second Great Awakening’ consisted of several kinds of activity, distinguished by locale and expression of religious commitment.” (Outline of American History).

Sacrifices can define one’s character; the definition can either be the highest dignity or the lowest degradation of the value of one’s life. In The Awakening, Kate Chopin implicitly conveys the sacrifice Edna Pontellier makes in the life which provides insight of her character and attributions to her “awakening.” She sacrificed her past of a lively and youthful life and compressed it to a domestic and reserved lifestyle of housewife picturesque. However, she meets multiple acquaintances who help her express her dreams and true identity. Mrs. Pontellier’s sacrifice established her awakening to be defiant and drift away from the societal role of an obedient mother, as well as, highlighting the difference between society’s expectations of

Parr used her charm to not only pacify Henry, but to entertain and influence foreign dignitaries as well. While Henry is confined to sitting and talking to dignitaries due to severe gout in his leg, Parr was able to actively engage them in the court tradition of dancing, participating, as one Spanish ambassador (probably Eustace Chapuys) points outs, even when she is “ill.” The Duke of Najera’s secretary described Parr’s entertainment as “a lively and pleasing appearance” and praised her “as a virtuous woman.” She encouraged the friendship of Charles V of Spain and Henry VIII and was constantly trying to “soothe Anglo-Imperial relations.” She was even able to secure a safe departure home in May 1545 for Charles’ imperial ambassador Chapuys,

Her marriage was tuff, although she loved him, Henry was more in love with his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, which he spent most of his time with. Diane gained a lot of influence in the governing of France. This bothered Catherine, but she kept her personal feelings to herself.

According to historian, C. Fenno Hoffman Jr., Prayers or Meditations is a sixty page abridgement of the Richard Whitford's translation of Book III of the very Catholic text, Imitation of Christ, and became another form of expression for Parr. With this text, Parr became the first English female writer to have her work published under her own name rather than remain anonymous or use a male pseudonym . While Parr was filled with confidence when composing this text, she did realize that it still needed the King's approval for circulation to happen, and she once again sought out his favor by reprinting "The King's Prayer" in Prayers or Meditations as well as giving it a more male-identified feel by using a male voice. Mueller argues that Parr