feminaw freeaw Kate Chopins The Awakening as a Story of Independence :: Chopin Awakening Essays

The Awakening A Story of Independence Kate Chopins The Awakening tells the story of Edna Pontellier, a Southern married woman and mother. At the time this novel was published, women did as they were expected by society. They were expected to be good daughters, good wives, and good mothers. A woman was expected to incite from the protection of her fathers roof to the protection of her husband. Edna did not fit this mold, and that eventually leads her husband to send for a doctor. When her husband does this Edna Pontellier says words, which define The Awakening, I dont want anything but my ingest way. That is wanting a good deal, of course, when you have to trample upon the lives, the hearts, the prejudices of others - but no matter At first, Edna is married and seems vaguely satisfied with her life. However, she cannot find true happiness. Her rouse begins when a persistent young man named Robert begins courting her. Edna begins to respond to him with a passion she has never felt before. She begins to realize that she can play roles other than married woman and mother. Throughout the book, Edna takes many steps to increase her independence. She sends her children away, she refuses to stay at home on Tuesdays (as was the social convention of the time), and she frequents races and parties. Unfortunately, her independence proves to be her downfall. Edna remains married, because divorce is inaudible of. She wants to marry Robert, but he will not because it will disgrace her to leave her husband. No matter how much Edna exceeds social boundaries and despite what she wants, she is held down by the will of others. In todays world divorce, sadly, is almost commonplace, but in her time she would have been an outcast of her society. By the end of The Awakening, Edna feels like a possession - of her husband, of her children, and of her society. The notwithstanding solution she sees is to end her life, which she does by swimming out into the sea until her strength gi ves out. The theme of The Awakening is deeper than the obvious themes of independence and womens rights. The Awakening presents suicide as a valid solution to problems. People commit suicide because of isolation and loneliness or a serious disruption of ones life. It is easy to connect these with Ednas life the isolation of her small house, the disruption caused by Adeles death, and the common good of the children.