McKenna Martin Mrs. Schroder AP Literature 3 January 2018 The Awakening Outside Essay - 1999 Prompt The Awakening showcases Edna Pontellier, a housewife residing in New Orleans, Louisiana during the early 1900s. Edna Pontellier is married to Leonce Pontellier and they have two sons together. Edna is consumed in internal conflicts throughout the entire novel. She is trying to find herself in a society where she has many duties and responsibilities. From the beginning of the novel, there is a sense of tension between Mr. and Mrs. Pontellier.
The pivotal milestones of Edna’s discoveries would have less impact if not presented in the way which occurs. Mrs. Pontellier venturing out into the ocean appears as one of her first major realizations. She swims on her own and laughs at herself for not accomplishing this activity before by herself. This parallels her own life and when her mind quickly shifts to thinking of death, she escapes the waters (37). Another critical moment occurs when she concludes her infatuation with Robert means more than originally thought and that she would miss him dearly while he moved to Mexico (61).
In Kate Chopin’ s novel, The Awakening, there are three identities inside of the female leading role, Edna Pontellier, being a wife, mother and own self. Edna was born in 19th century at the Vitoria period, a patriarchy society, women have low freedom to achieve personal goal. She married with Léonce Pontellier, a wealthy man with Creole descent. After having a child, her life is still unchangeable and as bored as before. Until she encountered Robert Leburn, Mademoiselle Reisz, and Alcée Arobin, her value of self-cognition has changed.
All men in Edna’s life made a difference or changed her in some way. They all either made her feel trapped, a brief moment of relief, or the freedom she has been longing for. Léonce Pontellier, a husband to Edna, works all summer and rarely home. Edna’s relationship with Léonce is indifferent; he never acknowledges Edna’s needs or her own wellbeing. He is blind to the little things around him, during his time with his family.
The sexual awakening Edna experienced caused her desires for lust and love to heighten. Her relationship with her husband has become less passionate over the years, and Edna realizes how unhappy her marriage to Mr. Pontellier has become. The strain between Edna and her husband adds to the climax because it stems the multiple awakenings she experiences. The freedom and empowerment awakenings made Edna realize how she has control over her own life and can do whatever her heart
Awakening is a novel written by Kate Chopin in 1899. As in many of Chopin’s writing, this novel concerns itself with morality and identity. The restrictions and expectations imposed on the protagonist, Edna Pontellier in the Awakening are based on gender and societal norms in the nineteenth century. In the Victorian Era, society deemed that the role of the woman was purely to be a wife and mother, but Edna had other ambitions, which included sexual freedom. In The Awakening many characters are observed, particularly female characters that are significantly different from each other in society.
At the beginning of the novel, Edna learns to swim. This might seem like a minor detail, but it ties to the downfall of Mrs. Pontellier. She falls in love with Robert, even though she is a married woman to Mr. Pontellier. Again a minor detail, but some might argue is the start of the plot for Edna to become her ideal, rebellious self. Edna grows tired of being a housewife
Edna Pontellier in the novel, The Awakening, is a self-driven woman determined to become independent and free whilst undergoing a significant change in behavior throughout the novel. She attempts to withstand societal expectations by doing certain things that were not socially acceptable during this time period. While doing so, she experiences many different struggles during her awakening. These struggles that Edna undergoes may be described as internal as well as external. In the awakening, there is a constant conflict between inner and outer Edna.
It is also in the presence of Mademoiselle Reisz that Edna first confessed her love for Robert Lebrun, stay updated about Robert’s travels through his letter to Mademoiselle, and leaves Mademoiselle’s loft every time with a manic elation. Thus, Mademoiselle’s presence presents Edna a world of passion and pleasure unseen before in her
Edna is portrayed as mean, rebellious, and independent throughout the novella. Edna wants her independence from the society that she lives in but what she does not take into consideration is how