Awakening
In the novel The Awakening Kate Chopin presents Edna Pontellier's struggle to defy the rules of her society and instead to follow her heart. Edna's perspective regarding society is beliefs toward women and her quest for finding love. During the nineteenth century women were thought of as someone whose only duty was to serve and protect the family. Edna's quest for happiness in life and love leads her against society and tests her strengths to the end which eventually led to her death.In the novel Chopin introduces intriguing ideas how a woman should play the role in society. She acknowledges women's sexuality and their rights in a time. Woman's identity isn't just being a wife or a mother but as an individual of her own; these changes can be seen in Edna Pontellier who begins the novel as Mrs. Pontellier and then is called just Edna. In The Awakening, Edna rebels against the norms and ideas and goes through a major transformation. Edna feels strongly about the injustices within her society and thinks that society needs to change its attitude toward women. Edna neglects her duties as a wife, mother, and as a woman of society. She is overcome with wonder, confusion, and guilt for what
Leonce didn't understand Edna and treated her like a piece of furniture, not like a human-being. She wants to be an individual rather than to be a mother and wife. Robert leaves her so he could avoid a scandal. According to society's definition of "womanhood" was to be domestic creatures, whose only concerns in life were to be raising of their children and obey every command of husband. She was aware of the consequences and the outcomes. During her vacation period Edna falls in love with Robert Lebrun, who will not marry her because he refuses to disgrace her. Chopin states "idolized their children, worshiped their husbands, and esteemed it a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels" (638) and this is thought to be the women's duty. I don't think she should've killed herself. Back then it was shameful for a woman to think of this. When Robert left her for the second time she felt alone with no one who would understand to confide into. Edna felt suffocated toward this attitude and wanted to free herself from this stereotype of being a woman. Robert leaves Edna for the second time. During this period she starts another affair with Alcee Arobin, and he introduces her to the importance of sex. Edna's suicide was the critical point in the novel.
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Acceptance Essays
