February Monthly Connection

Question ten of "The Awakening" socratic seminar states, "Diiscuss this quote, 'I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children: but I wouldn't give myself." This seems to be the most controversial statement associated with this whole novel. So many discussions were generated as to what the role of the mother should be and what her debt to her children should be. Really I think the debt lies with the children. They were birthed by the mother and primarily cared for by her. In the novel there definately is no question as to whether Edna would give her life for her children but it is also evident that she won't give herself. This is probably due to the fact that she doesn't know who she is. She doesn't know what she wants and she doesn't know where she wants her life to take her. Her indecisiveness is really what made her such a weak character in the first place.

I don't see Edna's treatment of her children as anything altogether outrageous here. Its necessary to take into account the society that Edna existed in and in this society it wasn't unusual for the nanny or nurse to become the primary caretaker. I don't know if the mothers always spent every waking moment with some other man than the children's father but it is what it is. The thing about this quote and its application to Edna is this: She's only willing to give the unessential. So to me it seems like she's ready and willing to give up the things she values the least for her children. Would she give up her relationship with Robert for her children? Not in a million years. The only reason she wouldn't give up herself for her children is that there is no "self" to give. She is so utterly weak its unbelievable. If she tried to give herself up for her children they'd probably laugh and throw it back in her face. She simply doesn't have anything to give them. If she did have a strong character to pass on to her children then it may be a different story, the only thing is, she hardly spends time with her children. But lets say perhaps she did have a strong character to offer. In that case I wouldn't like her for being willing to give herself and I'd agree with her aversion to giving up herself for her children. Its important that the children develop characters of their own and if Edna gave up her entire existence for them they would be smothered by her indecisiveness and just weak attributes. She was only willing to give up the unessential and I think that solidifies her as a selfish (overly selfish, Paul, I know everyone is selfish) person and just an inadequate parental unit.