Landan Rivers: Blog Option 2

I can’t imagine a single movie I’ve ever watched without the music that accompanies it. Songs help identify and fulfill the emotions of a scene, allowing audience members to also frame the scene with their own references to the song. Novels, on the other hand, often don’t get that chance. Until now, that is:

A Little Party Never Killed Nobody by Fergie

Scene: “Every light in the hall was ablaze; every lamp turned as high as it could be without smoking the chimney or threatening explosion” (Chopin 23). 

            This particular song played in my head the entire time I read this scene. For those of you who have not seen The Great Gatsby, the song came in at a time of jubilant joy and what else but a party. As the summer guests in The Awakening all gathered together I imagined a party type atmosphere in the sense that they were carefree and enjoying themselves – even the children got to stay up past their bedtimes. This song also fits the scene in which Edna hosts her own dinner party before moving into the “pigeon-house”(Chopin 87). I also find it ironic to open my list with this song, as it is the exact opposite of the mood of the last song on my list. Maybe a “Little Party” can be detrimental after all.

Just Keep Breathing by We The Kings

Scene: “A feeling of exultation overtook her, as if some power of significant import had been given her soul” (Chopin 27).

            When Edna first learns to swim she exemplifies the idea of taking a deep breath and letting it all go. She finally gives in to the emotions and feels elated. However, it was also a turning point within the story, because after her swim she becomes defiant of Leonce and slowly but surely gives in to all of her whims. I wonder if the outcome of the story would have been different if someone had told her to “Just Keep Breathing” rather than to remain proper and think about the children.

I Will Remember You by Sarah McLachlan

Scene: “’Good-by, my dear Mrs. Pontellier; good-by. You won’t – I hope you won’t completely forget me’” (Chopin 43).

            Edna and Robert are essentially to star-struck lovers saying good-by so they don’t give in to their own emotions. I personally believe that each knows they will never forget the other, yet worries what they meant to one another. This song encompasses the emotions of saying good-by to a love when no one else knows jst how much love/infatuation existed there.

 Miss Independent by Kelly Clarkson

Scene: “The pigeon-house pleased her. …Every step which she took toward relieving herself from obligations added to her strength and expansion as an individual” (Chopin 89).

            When Edna moved into the “pigeon-house” she is asserting her independence in every sense of the word. She had distanced herself by ensuring that she belongs to no one and can do things as she pleases. Ironically, just as the song speaks of a man breaking her independence, Edna is experience the independent emotions because she has finally found “love” in her life rather than the reasons of convenience within her own marriage.

Daylight by Maroon 5

Scene: “’Now you know,’ he said, ‘now you know what I have been fighting against since last summer at Grand Isle; what drove me away and back again’” (Chopin 101).

            This song is all about giving in to those few short moments of love and infatuation, yet knowing it isn’t going to last. While they kiss and admit their feelings for a few short moments, they will have to part because Edna is a married woman. Robert is gone before Edna ever returns, leaving her alone in the daylight.

In The Arms Of An Angel by Sarah McLachlan

Scene: “…but it was too late; the shore was far behind her, and her strength was gone” (Chopin 109).

            I feel like this one is pretty self-explanatory. However, I chose to include it as a sixth song because I believe the novel's soundtrack is not complete without showcasing the ending as well. Edna finally gets to be in her own peace as she says goodbye to the world.