Moral Ambiguity in Kate Chopin's The Awakening
Morality lies in the eyes of the beholder. The concept of good and evil can vary with one person to the next. Certainly, a married woman loving a man other than her husband could be viewed as a sinner -- evil. Yet, someone may ask if her husband treated her poorly, or if she was seduced and it might be acceptable. Edna Pontellier was that woman, though neither excuse applies, so is she evil? This moral ambiguity shrouds Edna's character throughout Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening, emphasizing the theme of being true to one's self above all else, even society's views of morality. The imagery accompanying Edna, specifically her physical features, and the col
This could all be viewed as selfish in one's eyes or progressive in another's, thus keeping Edna's character in the gray. Once Edna was awakened to her self and accepted this unique characteristic she "had all the men in New Orleans at her feet. Whether it was a good or evil thing for her to do, the reader cannot be sure. She was not the "embodiment of every womanly grace and charm" as was Adele Ratignolle, but "rather handsome than beautiful. Though all this decoration was elegant and impressive, it was not for her guests' enjoyment but her own, and she was not afraid to express her self when one of her quests offended her. Edna's physical appearance was always quite unconventional, not the typical society pleasing woman. The tablecloth, "a cover of pale yellow satin under strips of lacework," the candles "burning softly under yellow silk shades, the yellow roses that "abounded," and "the golden shimmer of Edna's satin gown" all held to this color motif. Yellow was a major color surrounding Edna's appearance at her "grand affair" celebrating her independence. Yellow can be said to be a color of ambiguity, neither pure like white, nor sordid like brown. " Edna never completely devoted her self to any of these men either, underlining the point that she did not need anyone else's approval; she did not need a man to complete her, and she was never going to sacrifice her self for anyone.
Common topics in this essay:
Adele Ratignolle,
Kate Chopin's,
Edna Pontellier,
,
Mademoiselle Reisz,
edna pontellier,
edna's character,
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