The Awakening And Story Of An Hour Analysis

Daily life in the Victorian era held people to many expectations on how they were supposed to live, whom to talk to, and for women, how to take care of the family. This caused some women, who were free-spirited, to rebel against the expectations and etiquette of the time. In Kate Chopin’s novel, The Awakening Edna’s actions break society’s expectation of social norms for women in the Victorian era.

Research papers require a lot of critical thinking, planning, and research. First, one needs an interesting topic. Then, one needs at least one critical reading strategy to analyze the literary works in the topic. Finally, one needs to do preliminary research and write a basic thesis statement. After that, one has the beginning of a good research paper.

The story takes in place in the 1920’s. During that era, women were living under the influence of men. They were not so free to make decisions for themselves without being judged upon by society. Seeing a pregnant woman who was unwed was viewed upon negatively.In both The Story of an Hour and Hills Like White Elephants, the authors Kate Chopin and Ernest Hemingway describe women and the desire to express themselves and be free and how men influence their decision making.

It is unarguable that during the 19th century women were restricted from freedom and having a mind of their own. Women were always expected to live according to society’s rules. An author, who some may consider a feminist, named Kate Chopin wrote a novel titled The awakening that capture the struggle of women and expectations put on them by society. The novel features a married woman named Edna who is in search of selfhood, independence, empowerment, and freedom but would soon realize that self-happiness would not come easy when you depend on others and your expectations of life. Kate Chopin chose an ambiguous ending for her novel which was Edna committing suicide lead many to create theories as to why she committed

It is no question that the ending of Kate Chopin’s novel The Awakening is quite vague. What does Edna’s suicide represent? Is it a sign of triumph or an act of resignation? Regardless, there is a message that lives on even if Edna did not. While this book is about feminism and a woman’s right to establish her own authentic identity, it is actually about something more—something that concerns both women and men.

The Creole society has very specific standards when it comes to woman, “they were woman who idolized their children, worshiped their husbands, and esteemed it a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals and grown wings as ministering angels” (Chopin 8). Edna Pontellier can be described as a woman who never had a place in the Creole society. Chopin makes this clear in the introduction of the book with quotes like “Mrs. Pontellier was not a mother-woman”(Chopin 8). The mother’s role in a Creole society can be argued to be the most critical and fixed position, as the previous line suggests Edna doesn't fit this role. However this does not seem true during Chopin’s description of Edna’s visit to Iberville, Edna seems happy to see her children, and when she leaves Chopin says “It was with a wrench and a pang that Edna left her children. She carried away with her the sound of their voices and the touch of their cheeks. All along the journey homeward their presence lingered with her like the memory of a delicious song. But by the time she regained the city the song no longer echoed in her soul. She was again alone”(Chopin 95). When Enda leaves her children behind she feels that she is not

28 year old, daughter of military, wife of two boys, Edna, grew up in Kentucky, yet lives in Louisiana. Edna married a Créole man, not only is it a culture shock for Edna, she seems disconnected from her surroundings. With the help of symbolisms throughout the novel and a woman’s search for herself, Edna chooses death over the inability to be herself.

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.

Cornell University Law School defines marriage as, “The legal union of a couple as spouses. The basic elements of a marriage are: (1) the parties’ legal ability to marry each other, (2) mutual consent of the parties, and (3) a marriage contract as required by law” (“Marriage”). The definition of marriage is very permissive, allowing society to build up on its definition. Literature in the 19th century, such as Charlotte Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” and Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”, give the readers of the 21st century a detail insight of the life of a 19th century typical housewife and 19th century marriage. The definition of marriage in the 21st century is very disparate from that of the 19th century, and is shown through the works of these women. The difference in the concept of marriage is very apparent, hence the wives in the stories were subdued domestic caretakers, while their husbands were repressive breadwinners, each in their separate spheres.

Kate Chopin’s short story “The Story of an Hour” is set in the late 1800s – a time when women were considered inferior to men. Women had traditional roles as wives and mothers. In this 19th century patriarchal society, Chopin shows us Louise Mallard, the main character, who does not comply with the female gender norms of the Victorian period. When Louise learns about the death of her husband, her reaction and the reaction of her sister and the doctor tell us a great deal about gender stereotyping during this time.

In “the story of an hour” by Kate Chopin shows a different point of view about marriage. Louise depends on her husband for financial support, and he also expected a great deal for return. In the case of Mrs. Mallard money was not the issue. Since Louise was ill, she was told what to do, and never had the opportunity to make choices for herself.

Since the beginning of the 19th century women were expected to fully obey their husbands, and conceal emotions in order to fit into the mold of a woman. However, in Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin addresses that being a woman is “Veiled hints that revealed in half concealing”

The universal fact of feminism is “the struggle to end sexist oppression” (hooks) in all forms. The time period in which Kate Chopin wrote “Story of an Hour”was during the same time the Women’s Rights Movement (1840 - 1920) was happening. During this time, women were paving a way towards a more independent future, so that they may make their own choices and be treated as equals. Chopin uses symbolism to showcase how an open window can express freedom and self-discovery within a woman.

In her short story “The story of an Hour”, which was written on April 19 1894 and originally

In 1894 life for women was a drastic change from life today. The civil war had ended only twenty-nine years earlier giving African American men the right to vote which made way for women fighting for their right to vote. By this time author, Kate Chopin had lived a large amount of her life both living and observing the treatment of women in society, giving her leeway to write about the treatment women. Chopin writes the “Story of an Hour” about a life-changing moment when a wife finds out about the death of her husband. The main character is Mrs. Louise Mallard who is surrounded by her sister, Josephine, and her husband’s best friend, Richard, in the events after finding out about the death of Mr. Brently Mallard. During the time span of an