Case Study Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Case Study - Assignment Example According to stock market analyst, P&G will boost Tambrands infrastructure to capture the wider market in developing countries. It would have been very difficult for Tambrands to launch a worldwide marketing program without merging with P&G. The deal signed benefited both parties; P&G was put back in the tampon business while Tambrands was now marketing its products on an international platform (Yomiko Ono,1997). This deal meant a new dawn for the Tambrands Company. P&G had induced a global marketing infrastructure and better distribution capabilities that brought worldwide growth of Tampax tampon up to speed to meet the out bursting market in developing countries. The goal put in place by Tambrands of its universal marketing strategy was to â€Å"market to each cluster in a similar way.† This was because while scheduling for growth and development into a global market, Tambrands categorized the world into three clusters, in accordance with how resistant women are using tampons and not in accordance with their locations. In the first cluster, majority of women already use tampons and possibly feel they know all they need to know about the product. In the second cluster 2, approximately half of the women population in this category use tampons. There have been concerns regarding the loss of virginity when using tampons and they are often viewed as peculiar products that block the menstrual flow. In the third cluster, which is the most puzzling, there is the virginity issue and the order subject where Tambrands must articulate how to use a tampon without making them feel uncomfortable. Tambrands objective for its universal marketing plan was to â€Å"advertise to each cluster in a similar way†. This is because by categorizing based on resistance as a substitute for location, Tambrands is also trying to create a more consistent brand for its Tampax tampons. The advertising

Sexual Harassment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sexual Harassment - Essay Example These activities can interfere with a workers production or performance of their duties as they may avoid an area that they have duties in if it is an area where they are being harassed. Under the law, co-workers and supervisors are treated differently and have different liabilities. Federal law also holds the employer responsible for the actions of the supervisor in regards to sexual harassment (Pastor, 2007, p.292). However, in regards to coworkers, the employer is only held responsible if they are negligent, such as knowing about the harassment and failing to stop it (Pastor, 2007, p.292). The federal law that protects workers from sexual harassment is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (Sexual harassment, 2008). In addition, states may have additional laws that can apply. They are usually modeled after the federal law but often vary in the amount and types of damages that can be awarded in a civil suit (Do states have their own laws, 2009). There are several avenues that a person can pursue if they are being sexually harassed. A worker who is the victim of sexual harassment is encouraged to first report it to their employer or human resources department, and "use any employer complaint mechanism or grievance system available" (Sexual harassment, 2008). The worker may additionally contact their union or file a suit in state or federal court. However, they must " the first file a formal sexual harassment complaint with the federal EEOC and/or your state’s fair employment agency" (Know your rights, 2009).

Postmodernism in Amélie (2001)

Postmodernism in Amà ©lie (2001) With reference to key theories studied on the module and one of the films from the given list, critically analyse the image system of the film, and the ways in which supports to convey specific meanings. You must comment on the way in which the narrative, meaning and mood are supported by the formal elements, and draw connections with the relevant historical, cultural and genre contexts. My essay will argue that the image system of Amà ©lie (2001) and the post-modern style adapted by Jean Pierre Jeunet, was one of the key aspects which lead to the film’s huge success worldwide. I intend to explore how the levels of realism and formal elements within the film, develop the narrative and mood, with reference to historical developments in French film and critical viewpoints. To clarify, when I say foreign film, I am referencing the films which are foreign to Hollywood and the other predominant production companies in western culture. The film Le fabuleux destin dAmà ©lie Poulain was highly successful not only in France, but around the world, with a Domestic Total Gross of $33,225,499. It was also nominated for five academy awards including Best Foreign Film (Box Office Mojo). The film has a very distinct â€Å"look† derived from its image system and form, which has become part of French director Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s auteuristic style. He has been described by Eisenreich (2004) as â€Å"the national filmmaker who develops the richest visual world, combined with a technical mastery and artistic sense†. There are many critical essays and reviews written on the stem of Amà ©lie’s success in the mainstream film industry, many putting it down to the feel-good nature of the narrative, others suggesting it was the unique cinematography and mise en scene. Elizabeth Ezra (2008) states that Jean Pierre Jeunet, as an auteur, has a highly postmodern style. I am inclined to agree with this point, as Amà ©lie is such a stylised film that the viewer is rarely emerged completely in the film. The audience is always aware that they are in fact watching a carefully structured and composed piece of work. According to Braudy and Cohen (1999) postmodern cinema is a deliberate mixing of different genres and film styles, pastiche and exposing the nature of a constructed text. As filmmakers, such as Jean Pierre Jeunet, are becoming increasingly aware of their audience’s active role in viewing their films, they have begun to use the conventions of postmodern cinema to their advantage. An example of a postmodern device often used in Amà ©lie is â€Å"breaking the fourth wall† where the character directly addresses the viewer. Amà ©lie looks directly at the camera in many close-up shots. These shots are carefully composed and use a wide lens, creating more depth in the frame. This also distorts her already elfish face, emphasizing her large eyes with an expression that includes the audience in whatever joke or feeling she is experiencing. This technique is an easy way for Jeunet to emphasise her role in the narrative and engage the audience so that she is a sympathetic character to the viewer. As well as the distinct postmodern style, Jeunet seems to take inspiration from older film techniques. In Rà ©mi Fournier Lanzoni’s book French Cinema: From its Beginnings to the Present (2002) it is noted that the locations and characters in Amà ©lie are highly reminiscent of Poetic Realism films, a movement of French cinema in the 1930s that combined â€Å"naturalism and lyrical stylization† (Lanzoni 2002). The majority of the film was shot on location in the centre of Paris; however, unattractive aspects such as graffiti and rubbish bins were digitally removed in post-production. Using this technique meant that even the real modern Paris resembled the poetic-realist sets of the 30s. In my opinion, this approach makes the film feel removed from any particular timeframe, as if it is an ecosystem unaffected by the concerns of the wider world. This also means that it is strongly juxtaposed with the gritty realism of social dramas set in Paris made at a similar time, su ch as Mathieu Kassovitz’s â€Å"La Haine† (1995). Steinberg (2001) argues that this makes Amà ©lie seem highly unrealistic, saying â€Å"Jeunet’s Paris is a thoroughly sanitised version of the real thing; clean, free from honking cars, tourists, foreigners and other complications. Even the beggars are happy in such an idyllic Paris† Adding to the slightly surreal version of Paris created by Jeunet is the bold colour palette, the most dominant colours being red and green, often complemented by yellow. These colours create a very warm and positive tone to the film, as they seem to emulate old footage and perhaps evoke a nostalgic response from the viewer. This again distances the film from modern day, despite the use of modern day technology. The colour red could also be recognised as a motif in the film, as it is present in almost every scene; Amà ©lie’s clothes, the garden gnome’s hat, the flowers and tables in the cafe as well as many other objects. Jeunet also uses black and white when providing flashbacks, such as Bretodeau’s memories conjured by the treasure Amà ©lie leaves him. This may have been done simply so that it would fit with the archive footage of the Tour de France; however I believe that it also provides a contrast with the bright bold colours in the rest of the film. Stanley Cavell proposed that in cinema, often, black and white represents reality whereas bright colour portrays fantasy (Cavell 1979). In Amà ©lie, the narrative is focused on the main character; therefore the abnormal colours used could be seen as representative of her highly imaginative and playful outlook on life. This also suggests that the reality which the viewer is witnessing may perhaps be entirely constructed from Amà ©lie’s imagination. Ben-Shaul (2007) explains that some films attempt to make their simulacrum so believable that it is â€Å"invisible†, so that the characters and situation are the primary focus for the viewer. Others use an obvious range of cinematic techniques to replicate a certain type of reality the filmmaker wants the audience to experience. As previously mentioned, the mise en scene of Amà ©lie seems to be a product of Amà ©lie’s imagination; this means that the film becomes somewhat hyper-realistic. Baudrillard’s theory of â€Å"Hyperreality† (1994) describes when a film blends both reality and fantasy together so seamlessly that it is hard to tell what is real and what is not. I think that this is an essential theory to consider when understanding Amà ©lie, as some parts of the film which might be taken literally, may perhaps be figments of her imagination. However, many aspects of the film show very obvious uses of CGI, such as the imaginary crocodile that Amà ©lie plays with as a child. There are many comical moments in the film, for instance Amà ©lie quite literally breaking down into tears after not plucking up the courage to speak to Nino. There are also more serious uses of special effects, which are very noticeable, yet more subtle, for example Amà ©lie’s daydream of Nino sneaking up behind her in the kitchen. This sequence uses a split screen which resembles a thought bubble, showing Nino approaching Amà ©lie’s back whilst larger section of the frame shows Amà ©lie’s reactions from the front view. The use of these techniques, especially the animation, contribute to the film’s novelty factor, surprising and exciting the audience. If his use of CGI tells us anything about Jeunet’s auteur style, it is that he is not concerned with absolute realism. He enjoys the artifice of film and extends it as far as he can, integrating the fanciful with the actual while avoiding â€Å"cheesiness†. Equally important in creating Jeunet’s uncompromised auteuristic style is the wide range of shots, angles, and editing techniques. Vanderschelden (2007) notes that many of the camera techniques used throughout the film are â€Å"playful†¦reinforcing the light-hearted, cartoon-like tone†. I agree strongly with this statement, as the film is rich with interesting and unusual camera angles and pans, which perfectly reflect the characters portrayed. Montage sequences are liberally used in Amà ©lie, and are a key element to the style of the film. The whole opening of the film appears to be montage, the very fast paced shots of Amà ©lie’s childhood, from conception, to birth, to being five years old, to being fully grown up. According to Eisenstein’s Montage theory, the juxtaposition of opposites or similarities allows the filmmaker to shape the mind and emotions of the viewer. I feel that Jeunet chose to show Amà ©lie growing up at such a roaring pace, juxtaposing her childhood years and adult years, to show the audience how much she has changed and how much she has stayed the same. This device not only adds a â€Å"quirky humour† to the film, but it also introduces the fast paced and frantic tone of the film, allowing the viewer to gain a lot of ‘pointless’ information in a very short amount of time. The use of sped up footage is used throughout the film, accompanied by loud sound effects to keep the pace of the film up. The pacing up also works to create a surreal and quirky feel to the film. An example of this is when Amà ©lie cuts up the letters in a blur of speed. I found this added a little cartoon-like element to the film, as well as allowing the viewer to understand what it happening. Other examples of this in the film are the sped-up linking shots between Amà ©lie visiting the various Bedoteaux (not Betodeau), again accompanied by racing car noise sound effects. Another technique Jeunet uses in Amà ©lie is the use of a handheld camera. An example of this is in the fast paced scene where Amà ©lie takes the blind man by the arm and tells him what she sees. The handheld camera adds to the spontaneity of the scene, as it follows Amà ©lie’s sudden decision to help people. The scene is over very quickly, leaving the blind man stood appreciating what has just happened, and the handheld camera turns into a crane shot which swoops above, highlighting the significance of that moment. Often in films such as Mathieu Kassovitz’s â€Å"La Haine† (1995) the handheld camera is a technique which adds realism and makes the film seem much more dramatic. I feel that in Amà ©lie, the opposite effect is achieved, as the handheld camera is not used extensively, and is only used in times of excitement and joy, such as the final scene of Nino and Amà ©lie riding on the moped in a fairytale-like ending. Instead of adding realism, the handhel d camera conforms to Jeunet’s unique style, and adds to the surrealism of the film. Jeunet successfully uses a lot of panning and tracking, adding also to the fast pace established by the other techniques. For long periods of the film there is constant fluid movement, with the camera circling characters or swooping over scenes. The audience is often placed in an observing position, with the camera standing at a distance to the action. We are used to this convention in film but we are also used to being invited to get close into the action when it is appropriate, for instance if there is an important conversation. There are some occasions in Amà ©lie where we expect to be closer in to the action than we are, for example in the closed cafe, when Amà ©lie suggests to Georgette that Joseph likes her, we are positioned in a corner behind the stacked chairs, as if suggesting that we are eavesdropping on the conversation. This adds an air of secrecy and mystery in the film. An extension of this is when we see the action through a window, or an actual physical barrier, such as the conversation between Amà ©lie and Nino in the cafe where they talk through the glass screen. And removing the audience even further, binoculars and video cameras are used by the characters in the film in some scenes, lending an air of voyeurism to their, and consequently our, role. In addition, the film appears to be shot as a picture. Many of the scenes are framed; each looked pretty as a postcard and reflected her status of an observer. Scenes framed as pictures.

Irving Howe and Inivisble Man :: Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

Invisible Man is a novel based on the journey and experiences of an unnamed Negro man during contemporary America. He is in search of success, companionship, and himself. Irving Howe says that, "The beginning is a nightmare," because it begins with a black timid boy who is awarded a scholarship and sent to the South and invited to a ballroom with other black boys and they observe and are frightened by a woman dancing nude. The boys who are blindfolded create a "battle royal" or a raucous, but after the chaos the black boy give a thank you speech. Although the beginning of the novel is a bit frightening, the rest of however is pretty straight forward, it basically just tells the life story of this "unnamed hero" (the Negro boy who is the Invisible Man). The "hero" goes to his Southern college, but is expelled, so is forced to leave for New York, where he works in a factory and becomes a soap boxer. Next Howe comments on Ellison’s style by calling him "gifted" but "not a finished craftsman." Howe means that Ellison tries to overwhelm the reader, when instead he should be either persuading or telling the story. The novel is written in first person singular and therefore Howe mentions that it is hard to distinguish between the hero and himself (the matured "I" telling the story and the "I" who is the victim). The middle section of the novel concerns the Harlem Stalinists (Communists), to Howe it appears untrue, due to the fact that Ellison wrote with bitterness and made the Stalinists seem stupid, vicious and cynical. He was not surprised either by the Invisible Man’s final discovery that after he quit the Communist Party, "my world has become one of infinite possibilities," because he did not want to be rejected nor not seen by various social groups. I agree with Howe, that Ellison is a very gifted writer, with an amazing style. I would have to disagree with Howe however, when he mentions that Ellison tries to overwhelm the reader and that it gets confusing because it is written in first person. Although Ralph Ellison, relies heavily on various symbol (visions and black and white), which can get confusing at times, but they can only help the novel and in no way destroy it. Also, Ellison’s style is also creative because it allows the novel to appear as if you were actually listen to a Negro telling the story, in the sense that Ellison’s wrote in the local dialect of the time (with a Southern Negro accent).

Corporate Communication Problems & Solutions Essay

The definition of communication in language dictionaries have not changed much with time, however the tools, means and mediums used by a normal person have rapidly evolved. Spoken words combined with body language perhaps were the first means of communication used by mankind, but in today’s digital world the same has translated into written text supported with emotion icons and colorful pictures or videos, thanks to the internet. Furthermore, with the easy access to social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter; people are now having the power of mass communication at their fingertips making them able to share a message with thousands of people at no time, absolutely without any efforts. From the above general introduction, it can be realised that we live in an over communicated world with tons of irrelevant messages floating around diverting our focus and attention to areas that may not have any importance to us. The challenge may not be noticed in the personal life but is surely a trouble when it comes to corporate environment. â€Å"Time is money. † (Franklin), this was a statement once said by a famous politician who lived back in the 18th century, but it still is very much valid today and defiantly maybe much more expensive than Franklin himself thought it would be. Every business exists to make profit by doubling, tripling or quadrupling their dollars and one of the main earing keys is keeping the firm’s cost under control hence fully utilising employees’ time and ensuring the highest levels of efficiency. The above may not be the right message a business owner would wish to deliver to his employees, but would defiantly want to implement an effective and productive work environment where every employee knows, understands and lives the firm’s strategy and mission statement. This is only achieved when a proper commination channel is in place within an organization which many companies in the corporate world strive to have or implement. Communication problems in corporates are many, but to start with I will refer to a statement by a famous Irish dramatist who lived is the last century: â€Å"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. † (Shaw) The above statement enlightens us to a major communication problem where the initiator simply thinks that his message is delivered, understood or even auctioned by the recipients which could lead to issues no one have anticipated. Such illusions could be turned into reality simply if the initiator is making sure to request an acknowledgment from the receiver. On the other side, as identified by Arnold Anderson, language barriers can sometime occur in a multinational environment which may become another communication problem. Although a diverse workplace has several benefits for the business, such as verity to of solutions to company issues and insight to international markets, but considering that organization is made of people from different countries, cultures and ethics will add up to the language barrier and slow communication or create miss understanding that will eventually make communication ineffective. In such cases, the best solution is to assure that an official business language i. . English, is fluently spoken by all employees and a cultural training and communication policy is taught to new joiners of the organization. Furthermore, with the born of the digital environment, most –if not all- work related documents and communications are now e-mail based which has many benefits such as documenting every conversation, easiness to contact any person, no distance barrier and instant, however â€Å"Every Rose Has Its Thorn†. (Poison, 1988) One of the biggest challenges that came to exist with e-mail communication is the habit of avoiding face-to-face talks. Many employees are used to get stuck to their seats for 8 hours a day and all they do is send mails back and forth. This causes huge lack of collaboration between different units and people resulting to lack of teamwork hence lower productivity in the organisation. This problem may grow from a few people’s habits to a general organisation culture issue thus it has to be addressed intensely. There is no quick solution to such issue, but one of good initiatives I saw in our company was Face-Mail day. This people department in our company started to encourage all employees to use face mail instead of e-mails every Wednesday. The initiative was very much appreciated by employees and did show positive results as time passed by. In conclusion, the corporate environment will always have communication problems even if all employees were replaced by robots; however, the organisation should always set its priority to keep effects of this issue as low as possible by implanting a communication policy, encouraging face mail, assuring that hired employees are fluent in business language and by continuing communicating the objective of the company and its long-term strategy.

Dogs

Dean Winchester Comparison Contrast Essay There are many types of dogs in the world and two of the most common dogs are Chihuahuas and German Shepherds. Each completely the opposite of each other like Chihuahuas barely shed, are low energy and do not eat much and vice versa with German Shepherds. For people who wouldn’t want a house full of dog hair then low shedding dogs such as the Chihuahuas would be ideal. If you don’t mind cleaning every day and would make the sacrifice to get a good dog then a German shepherd would meet the criteria.Along with pet hair dogs also release pet dander, and while for some it may not bother them others have allergic reactions to it. While it is impossible for dogs no matter how little they shed to not give pet dander, the smaller they shed hair the less pet dander is released, same as high shedding dogs. How much a dog eats should be taken into consideration if shedding isn’t a criteria into picking a dog. Obviously the bigger th e dog the more it’ll eat except for those few special cases such as Siberian Huskies who are frugal eaters.Chihuahuas are the world’s smallest dogs so they won’t gobble their food every time you pour it into their bowl which will make the food supply last longer thus result in buying less dog food. Another thing to consider between these two dogs would be their exercise requirement. People can say Chihuahua’s are high energy, and while it may have a small truth to that it that, their energy runs out quickly. A 30 minute walk or less can take care of that and it doesn’t have to be every day.On the other hand German Shepherds are definitely high energy – high exercise dogs. Apart from they’re friendly once they get to know you, they are intelligent but also are willing to run and run and run. Great for police departments whom have suspects they are chasing. Dogs like that need daily exercise that will use up that energy or will turn int o a problem such as destroying furniture or digging holes which could lead to them escaping.Chihuahuas are capable of doing the same but with a small walk it’ll be taken care of. If you are a couch potato you obviously do not want a high shedding, high energy, gobbler for a dog even if they are amazing like the German shepherd, you’ll be going for the low energy, low shedding, small quantity eating Chihuahua. While both dogs are excellent in being family friendly their different qualities should be taken in consideration before picking a friend that can last a over a decade.

Free Essays on Kate Chopin

Kate Chopin Kate Chopin, nee Catherine O’Flaherty, was born â€Å"[†¦]according to her baptismal certificate, on February 8th1850 [†¦]† (Toth 3), in St Louis Missouri. Her birth date has also been cited as February 8th 1851 (Bloom 11) and July 12th 1850 (Skaggs ix). Throughout her life, Kate was surrounded by many strong independent women, who all became her mentors in one way or another. Whether it was the kind, learned nuns she had as teachers, the proud independent widows, friends, and relations of her mother, or the life time friendships she forged with several girls from her early school days, the relationships and emotions she garnered from these women helped lay the foundations for some of American Literature’s most colorful and controversial stories. In 1870, Kate met and married Oscar Chopin, a Creole New Orleans native. Oscar was a cotton grower, and he and Kate spent the first 9 years of their marriage living and working on his cotton farm. Kate Chopin was, according to Harold Bloom, throughout her marriage â€Å"[†¦]an exemplary wife† (Bloom 11), and her daughter is quoted later as saying she was â€Å"‘Lady Bountiful of the neighborhood’† (Bloom 11). By 1879, Kate and Oscar had had five children, all boys, and Oscar’s cotton business had begun to fail. He moved his large, young family to Cloutierville Louisiana, where together they managed several plantations and eventually purchased a general store. It was here that Kate’s sixth and last child, a girl, was born. (Skaggs 3) In 1882 Oscar died of swamp fever, leaving Kate with an extensive debt, and six young children to rear on her own. His sudden death thrust her into the role of business woman, and provider, neither of which she was particularly good at. She was later to draw on her experiences in managing the business as the focus of her first book, At Fault (Dyer xiii). In 1884 Kate decided to move back to St Louis and live with her mother... Free Essays on Kate Chopin Free Essays on Kate Chopin Women have not always been given the choices they are afforded in today’s society. Women of the nineteenth century were not treated with the respect that most women of today obtain. Women in the past were known as homemakers. It was their job to take care of the children, do the cooking and cleaning, and they were not given a voice in any of the decisions. It was unheard of for women to have full time jobs outside of the home. The women of the twenty-first century, however, are more educated and have the opportunity to establish a career of their own. Although today, most women do not receive the equivalent treatment as men, they are allowed more privileges than have been granted to women in the centuries before. Kate Chopin wrote two short stories that provide examples of the way women act when they are freed of their homemaking responsibilities. For example, in the â€Å"Story of an Hour† by Kate Chopin, Louise first cries when she hears of her husband’ s death. After meditating on some of the new opportunities she will be able to experience, she becomes joyful. Only then, she realizes her husband is at the door and is alive. With this realization all the joy that is on the inside dies and so does she. The effects of limited opportunities of being a homemaker are evident in two of Chopin’s stories, â€Å"The Story of an Hour† and â€Å"The Storm†. Chopin’s main character in the â€Å"The Story of an Hour† is a woman, Louise, who is diagnosed with a heart disease. Louise learns of her husband’s death from her sister, Josephine, and his friend, Richards. With this news, she begins to cry. Alone in her room, she begins envisioning the many opportunities she will now will have as a single woman. She repeatedly tells herself she is free. Josephine is unaware of how her sister feels. She goes to her sister to console her. Louise opens the door, and collapses in her sisters arms. As they make their way downstairs, ... Free Essays on Kate Chopin Kate Chopin Kate Chopin, nee Catherine O’Flaherty, was born â€Å"[†¦]according to her baptismal certificate, on February 8th1850 [†¦]† (Toth 3), in St Louis Missouri. Her birth date has also been cited as February 8th 1851 (Bloom 11) and July 12th 1850 (Skaggs ix). Throughout her life, Kate was surrounded by many strong independent women, who all became her mentors in one way or another. Whether it was the kind, learned nuns she had as teachers, the proud independent widows, friends, and relations of her mother, or the life time friendships she forged with several girls from her early school days, the relationships and emotions she garnered from these women helped lay the foundations for some of American Literature’s most colorful and controversial stories. In 1870, Kate met and married Oscar Chopin, a Creole New Orleans native. Oscar was a cotton grower, and he and Kate spent the first 9 years of their marriage living and working on his cotton farm. Kate Chopin was, according to Harold Bloom, throughout her marriage â€Å"[†¦]an exemplary wife† (Bloom 11), and her daughter is quoted later as saying she was â€Å"‘Lady Bountiful of the neighborhood’† (Bloom 11). By 1879, Kate and Oscar had had five children, all boys, and Oscar’s cotton business had begun to fail. He moved his large, young family to Cloutierville Louisiana, where together they managed several plantations and eventually purchased a general store. It was here that Kate’s sixth and last child, a girl, was born. (Skaggs 3) In 1882 Oscar died of swamp fever, leaving Kate with an extensive debt, and six young children to rear on her own. His sudden death thrust her into the role of business woman, and provider, neither of which she was particularly good at. She was later to draw on her experiences in managing the business as the focus of her first book, At Fault (Dyer xiii). In 1884 Kate decided to move back to St Louis and live with her mother... Free Essays on Kate Chopin Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, is a classic feminist book most often read for its portrait of Victorian marriage. In this story, Chopin tries to let all women know that they can experiment with sexuality throughout their motherhood. Chopin’s struggle with motherhood and bisexuality caused the character of Edna Pontellier in The Awakening to be an undevoted mother and wife. Edna Pontellier was a good mother when protecting her children from harm, but she never mistaked herself for them. She exclaims as she talks to Madame Ratignolle that, â€Å"She would give up the unessential; her money and her life but she would not give herself (Chopin 80). Edna seems to believe there is something more than her life that could be taken, which Madame Ratignolle finds hard to believe. She says, â€Å"But a woman who would give her life for her children could do no more than that† (Chopin 80). Edna also seemed to value her needs over her husbands and unlike her kids he noticed it. â€Å"He found it very discouraging that his wife who was the soul object of his existence, evinced so little interest in things which concerned him and valued so little his conversation† (Chopin 12). His comment shows that the disappearing acts were not all his fault; actually he wanted to work things out and make the marriage better. He even wondered if his wife was unbalan ced mentally, â€Å" He could see plainly that she was not herself, he could see that she was becoming herself and casting aside that fictitious self who she appeared before the world† (Chopin 96). His accusation was accurate as it could be. Edna was going to become a new woman on the twenty-eighth of August at the hour of midnight. Yes. On the twenty-eight of August, at the hour of midnight, and if the moon is shining-the moon must be shining-a spirit that has haunted these shores for ages rises up from the Gulf. With its own penetrating vision the ...