“The Awakening and the Failure of Psyche” by Franklin
The author’s thesis statement is “The Eros and Psyche myth
is a useful pattern to illuminate the labor toward self of the human hero with
the accompanying inner and outer threats to the attainment of selfhood”
(Franklin 142). Franklin compares the myth of Psyche with Edna Pontellier’s
struggle in The Awakening.
The author makes many valid points to back their thesis. First
of all Franklin compares how Robert leaving Edna is the same challenge that Psyche
faces when “Eros flees Psyche because of his fear of the matriarchy’s taboo”.
This situation is very similar to the reason Robert left to Mexico to get away
from Edna because he was scared of what his feelings toward her would cause because
he knew that it was forbidden. When Robert is in Mexico, Edna experiences pain
of separation which begins her quest to obtain any information about Robert she
can get. This is just like the myth because it is Psyche’s version of her quest
and labors. Edna is also like Psyche because when she learns that she is not
mentioned in any of Robert’s letters she almost succumbs to a mood of hopelessness
and is tempted to rest. In the myth of Psyche, Psyche is specifically warned
not to stop but to only continue on her way because she will be faced with
things that will try to stop her. Overall, the author provides many valid
points in how this novel and the myth of Psyche are similar.
I believe that the argument was presented very well.
Franklin provided many examples of how both Psyche and Edna go through the same
difficulties as Edna makes her way through sexual and self awakenings.
I agree with the stand that the essay writer takes. Although
I am not familiar with the myth of Psyche, Franklin provides many examples of
how Edna goes through all of the same conflicts that Psyche has already been
through. With all these detailed examples, Franklin makes it very difficult not
to agree with her stand.
An interesting view that I came across while reading this
literary criticism essay was how the society in The Awakening could be
seen as matriarchal. There was a quote from the novel that I had not remembered
or realized as I was reading that could have a major impact on the novel: “The
mother-women seemed to prevail that summer at Grand Isle…They were women who
idolized their children, worshiped their husbands, and esteemed it a holy privilege
to efface themselves as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels”. I
thought this was important to the way we looked at this work in the feminist
perspective. I agree that the women in this novel seemed to be in charge or
more important. The men were only mentioned very blandly while the women had
major roles and could take care of themselves and their families.
I think that the point about how a matriarchal society can affect the way we look at the novel in a feminist view is really interesting. I wonder if not mentioning the men from the novel was the author's way of reiterating her feminist view.
ReplyDeleteThis article seems interesting for someone who is familiar with Psyche. It caught my attention without knowing the background so I bet that for someone who is fimiliar would really connect with this article.
ReplyDeleteHow the two stories mirror each other is very interesting. It reminds me of Mr. Currin's archetypal theory lecture. Both stories tell of two seemingly different situations that actually have similar plots. Also, both characters' reactions to their loss seem to be real world responses. I think that your author had some very valid points.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar type of article where the author argues a stance of similarities between a mythological character and Edna. You article sounds much more convincing than my own, and your critique definitely made me consider the way that the majority of women in the novella are portrayed. As such, you critique was well-written and has definitely moved me to consider its author's stance.
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