For the exclusive content of this blog, the word possession will lose its negative connotation and the definition of the word “aspect” will be altered to mean that which can be inferred from the following paragraph:
There exist many aspects of life that beg for a part of our being. These aspects can suck up our love, motivate our actions, reflect our passions, and basically characterize who we are because these aspects are distinct for each and every distinct individual. Such “aspects,” as I will refer to them, can be one’s self, a loved one, being a mother, being successful, the covetous satisfaction of attaining power, or anything, really. It is important to know that aspects may clash and compete for parts of ourselves.
In The Awakening, there is an apparent rule for how certain aspects ought to possess the beings of certain individuals. For example, it is clear to me that in Edna’s society, those human beings who are bechanced with the physical attributes that distinguish them from men (aka women) are expected to a point to be possessed principally by the aspect of being a mother. It is for this reason that Chopin’s writing career was obliterated by the publication of her novel, The Awakening. For in this novel, the societal norm of a woman being overwhelmingly influenced and defined by motherhood (which parallels the society Chopin lived in) is shattered by the protagonist. Through the eyes of Edna’s society, her being succumbs to the competition within for dominance of aspects other than motherhood. Edna would give up the “unessential” for the aspect of motherhood, but she would not give up the aspect of her spiritual freedom, or herself, for the aspect of motherhood (an aspect defined by selflessly benefiting one’s direct descendants). Edna’s naturally overpowering aspect of self is therefore in competition with the aspect of motherhood, which applies to her as she is a female that has successfully reproduced (successful in this context meaning that the kids are not dead). Given that Edna’s self requires possession of an overwhelmingly major part of her being, it seems that something has got to go..
In the real world, as demonstrated in real locations such as Nottingham, PA, people like yours truly (aka moi) also experience this aspectual competition. I am not completely defined by my love for bovines. That which is me, or my being, is defined by various things in addition, like passion for adventure, the ability to drive other individuals insane, and innate egoistic desire. This mixture and combination of aspects is my signature elixir, and is unique to me only. However, in places 'round the world, there are standards for how certain beings should be possessed by their aspects. This translates as an alteration in an otherwise natural blend of individualized “aspect dominance.”An expectation which repeats itself in the majority of societies for men would be being possessed principally by the aspect of physical dominance and assertion. Any time there is a societal restriction or standard for “aspect dominance”, all aspects within are even more intricately wound in a web of competition. This causes those aspects relating to societal inclusion and acceptance to influence the other aspects’ shared possession of a being. A human’s uniqueness is compromised by any extra-personal influence, such as societal expectations.
Basically, I mean to say this:
1. I have yet to meet anyone whose life is completely defined by one sole aspect. Our passions, likes, desires, etc. make up who we are.
2. Edna could not be a part of a society with aspect restriction AND preserve her own individual blend of aspects. So she let the sea consume her naked body and set her non-conforming spirit freee.
3. Societal restriction in today’s world can compromise a person’s individuality.
4. Number 3 blows.
