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

The awaken A Story of Independence Kate Chopins The Awakening tells the story of Edna Pontellier, a grey wife and mother. At the snip 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 cleaning lady was expected to move from the protection of her fathers roof to the protection of her husband. Edna did not fit in 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 own way. That is wanting a good deal, of course, when you prevail 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 awakening begins when a persistent early days man named Robert begins courting her. Edna begins to respond to him with a passion she has neve r matt-up before. She begins to realize that she can play roles other than wife and mother. Throughout the book, Edna takes legion(predicate) steps to increase her independence. She sends her children away, she refuses to stay at home on Tuesdays (as was the companionable convention of the time), and she frequents races and parties. Unfortunately, her independence proves to be her downfall. Edna remains married, because divorce is unheard of. She wants to hook up with Robert, but he will not because it will disgrace her to allow 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 universalplace, but in her time she would have been an outcast of her society. By the end of The Awakening, Edna feels like a ownership - of her husband, of her children, and of her society. The only solution she sees is to end her life, which she does by swimming out into the ocean until her strength gives out. The theme of The Awakening is deeper than the obvious themes of independence and womens rights. The Awakening presents self-destruction as a valid solution to problems. People commit suicide because of isolation and loneliness or a serious disruption of ones life. It is simplified 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.