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Change In Chopin's The Awakening

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Change does not occur easily or without conflict. Change does not occur quickly nor smoothly. Many characters go through change in a novel, like Edna from The Awakening. Edna lived as a simply mother-woman and followed the general rules of society. She later experiences new things that lead to her self-discovery toward a better life. Edna kills herself at the end of the novel and frees herself from the social confinements. Edna, in the beginning of the novel, tailors her life to the path set before her. A mother of two, Edna 's life does not concern herself, but her husband and children. All of Edna 's interests are thrown to the side to make way for her family, as a mother-woman would do in the nineteenth century. Edna understands …show more content…

Edna goes through an awakening process in which she changes her life. Edna experiences a kiss with a man that is not her husband, this is the first experience she has that goes against the female ideals of her time (Chopin 139). Edna already shows signs of going against the grain of her society before this experience, but this experience sets her wants and needs for a more free life. A more free life from the confines of mother and wife. Her role as a wife begins to diminish and her husband becomes concerned and even consults a doctor to try and find what is wrong with her. He tells the doctor that Edna “goes tramping about by herself, moping in the street-cars, getting in after dark. I tell you she’s peculiar. I don’t like it” (Chopin 110). He shows concern due to Edna 's lack of socialization with other females and general rebellion against societal norms. Edna is able to recognize that the love she feels for another man is not the main reason that she is going through what she is going through. Edna says “it was not love which had held this cup of life to her lips” (Chopin 140). She is able to know that this desire for a life of free will is driven by her own desire. Edna begins to recognize the faults in her life and starts to revolutionize her life and

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