Feminist Movement in America
In the nineteenth century, women were compelled to precise social duties in male dominated societies. Their jobs were to take care of the home, raise the children, make sure there was peace in the family, follow a husband's orders, and make the home a comfortable and carefree place to live. In Kate Chopin's "The Awakening," three main characters, Edna Pontellier, Madame Adele Ratignolle, and Mademoiselle Reisz, portray particular roles that either establish or contradict these social dichotomies. Each woman's representation of character in the nineteenth century helps illustrate the feminist movement in America, a continuous struggle that has helped shaped the lives of women in today's society. Edna Pontellier, the main character of the story, is a woman who does not only acknowledge her own wants and desires, but also has the strength and courage to act on them. Edna is a "handsome," engaging woman who is valued by society for her physical appearance. Breaking through the role that has been appointed to her by society, she discovers her own identity independent of her husband and children. At the beginning of the novel, Edna is comfortable in her marriage to Leonce Pontellier, and is un
Mademoiselle Reisz acts as an example of an entirely self-sufficient woman, who is ruled by her art and her passions, rather than by the expectations of society. Mademoiselle warns Edna that she must be brave if she wishes to be an artist. As the summer progresses, however, Edna and Robert grow closer, and Robert's affections and attention inspire several feelings in Edna that she had never come across before. Thus, she serves as a true confidant for Edna, despite their different personalities. When a woman married she was to be pure until her wedding night, and once she joined in this union with her husband, she belonged to him. Though some may view that Edna's new feelings of independence amount to selfishness, her rebellion is a result of what she feels is right, because she no longer wants to follow the social duties of society. She is the representation of independence and freedom that many women in the nineteenth century yearned to be. The conversations that Edna has with Adele cause her to uncover the desires that have been hidden for so many years. She no longer wants to demonstrate the true virtue. When she begins actively to pursue personal independence, she seeks Mademoiselle Reisz's companionship. According to Chopin, "It was then, in the presence of that personality which was offensive to her, that the woman, by her divine art, seemed to reach Edna's spirit and set it free"(Chopin 101). Although she expects for her dreams of romance to disappear, they only reemerge when she spends time on Grand Isle. The next stage of Edna's awakening takes place when she meets Mademoiselle Reisz, an unconventional older woman who serves as an inspiration to Edna throughout her gradual awakening.
Common topics in this essay:
Grand Isle,
Mademoiselle Reisz,
True Womanhood,
Edna Pontellier,
Pontellier Edna,
According Chopin,
Madame Retignolle,
Edna Adele,
Chopin's Awakening,
Edna Robert,
feminist movement,
mademoiselle reisz,
nineteenth century,
grand isle,
feminist movement america,
edna pontellier,
movement america,
adele ratignolle,
stage feminist,
stage feminist movement,
edna begins,
edna's awakening,
kate chopin's awakening,
fits stage feminist,
madame adele ratignolle,
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Acceptance Essays
