The Expectations Of Women In Edna Chopin's The Awakening
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.
Societal expectations of women during this time period were for women to follow orders from their husband no matter the conditions. A man would not necessarily get married for love, but rather for the ownership of the women. Edna’s attempt to become an independent women is made difficult due to the the expectation from others, including her husband. When discussing with Doctor Mandelet about going away with her husband, Edna responds, “Perhaps-no, I am not going. I’m not going to be forced into doing things. I don’t want to go abroad. I want to be let alone. Nobody has any right-except children, perhaps”(Chopin 116). Edna’s usage of the word “perhaps” represents her hesitation and details how inner edna wants something that outer edna is not inclined to do. In
…show more content…
There is a perceived split between “outer Edna and inner Edna” that is constantly disrupting Edna and her desires. Outer Edna is supposed to be recognized as this ideal wife who obeys her husband and does what he commands-similar to her friend Adele. This lifestyle that Edna is supposed to live by cannot be achieved due to “inner Edna’s” desire of being free and independent. “Outer Edna” conforms to society expectations even if it is not what she desires, while “inner Edna” seeks independence and
Oppression In Kate Chopin's The Awakening
1315 Words | 6 PagesEdna Pontellier was only seen as a “valuable piece of property which [had] suffered some damaged” to her husband Mr. Pontellier (BOOK). One can also see that “The Awakening” also focused on the sexual desires of women, identity, and self-discovery Edna, a character in “The Awakening” experienced her awakening by discovering her identity in her own self. “The Awakening” attempts to tell the story a woman who wants to find herself while lusting. Later, at the end of the story, one discovers that since Edna Pontellier could not fully find her peace, and freedom she ultimately decides to commit suicide. Through this “The Awakening” shows that although women were oppressed, they also had empowerment.
Edna Pontellier In The Awakening
757 Words | 4 PagesThe Awakening Essay Edna Pontellier in The Awakening strives to find her individuality and personal freedom. However, Edna lives in a time when women are expected to live their lives as wives and mothers, not as people with their own volition. When she begins to awaken from her state of submission she finds herself and strays outside the realm of social acceptance in doing so. She does not obey her husband’s will without question, she is not a mother-woman who devotes herself solely to her children. She would rather be wandering the city or painting than taking callers and keeping up the house.
Juxtaposition In The Awakening
999 Words | 4 PagesBefore Edna left for the beach, she had given her ring to Léonce and slipped it on her figure without hesitation. But in Chapter 17, she took her wedding ring and “stamp[ed] her heel upon it, striving to crush it.” (Chapter 17) These two particular scenes were very important to the development of the story and Edna’s path of rebellion. Ever since Edna’s awakening, she has slowly begun showing independence and oppose the fact that she is her husband’s prized possession.
The Awakening Rhetorical Analysis
1266 Words | 6 PagesPontellier’s awakening. Throughout her journey we see her grow into the fully formed Edna taking her final leap but before she dives into her new ocean of opportunities we see her defy the limitations of a woman’s adroitness. This act may seem insignificant to our modern ideals but for a woman to attain knowledge equates to a woman demanding justification for her oppression. Edna’s determination and childlike characteristics can be noticed when she learned how to swim. Spending a full season determined to master a skill shows her persistence, a trait woman were not expected to have or want.
Edna Pontellier's Attitudes Toward Motherhood In The Awakening
1044 Words | 5 PagesEdna Pontellier’s attitude toward motherhood is that she is not a perfect mother-women for many ways. Edna Pontellier is not a perfect mother because “Mrs. Pontellier was not a mother-women”(Chopin, 10). This quote means that Edna Pontellier is not a good mother/wife because she is not that of a women who would worship their children ,and their husband. Edna Pontellier is not a good mother because “I would give up the
Outward Conformity In Kate Chopin's The Awakening
825 Words | 4 PagesIt is common for people in everyday society to conform to society’s expectations while also questioning their true desires. In the novel, The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, the main protagonist Edna Pontellier is said to possess, "That outward existence which conforms, the inward life that questions." In other words, Edna outwardly conforms while questioning inwardly. Kate Chopin, uses this tension between outward conformity and inward questioning to build the meaning of the novel by examining Edna’s role as a wife, mother, and as nontraditional woman in the traditional Victorian period. Edna outwardly conforms to society’s expectations by marriage.
Conformity In The Awakening
849 Words | 4 PagesEdna continually questions whether or not she is destined to live a life of subordination or if she can find her own freedom. Edna Pontellier’s defiant nature is brought out
Edna's Characterization In The Awakening
467 Words | 2 PagesEdna’s characterization throughout The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, describes Edna as someone with burning passion who desires to improve not only her life, but the lives of future generations. However Edna’s actions make her often seem weak to the oppressive people around her; sometimes, and in this case unfortunately, good ideas and beliefs are stopped cold by one’s surrounding influences. Edna’s feminist attitude, though formidable, is no match for the individuals who accept the current society’s customs. I find Edna to be a weak person from a general standpoint. However the story masks this obviousness fact by illustrating some of Edna’s questionable actions.
Edna's Roles In The Awakening
1386 Words | 6 PagesIn 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.
Adele And Edna Pontellier In Kate Chopin's The Awakening
519 Words | 3 PagesWithin the novel, The Awakening by Kate Chopin, Madame Ratignolle’s character possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast the characteristics and behavior of Edna Pontellier. Despite being close friends within the novel, Adele and Edna have contrasting views and behaviors that illuminate the theme of female freedom and the tradition of female submission and male domination. Madame Ratignolle and Edna Pontellier are close friends, but their views toward raising children differ fundamentally. Madame Ratignolle would sacrifice her identity to devote herself entirely to her children, household, and husband, whereas Edna would not. Besides their views towards raising children, how they raise their children also differs.
The Awakening Summary
1234 Words | 5 PagesEdna is struggling to choose a identity between a mother, wife, lover etc. She seems to not want to be subject as the possession of anybody. She focuses on independence even denying Robert of her love towards him which if she chose to stay with him, she would be associated with him and therefore labeled. She looks up to Madame Reisz as an independent woman, pursuing her passions and doing as she pleases. "I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn 't give
The Role Of Individuality In Kate Chopin's The Awakening
425 Words | 2 PagesThe Awakening is a novel written by Kate Chopin that follows a woman named Edna Pontellier on her journey to self-awareness. Edna lived a comfortable lifestyle with her husband and two children in Louisiana during the 19th century. Despite obtaining all aspects to a perfect life, Edna became dissatisfied after meeting Robert Lebrun in Grand Isle. Robert sparked a desire for unlawful lust as well as a yearning for independence in a society full of conformed standards. Edna was unable to handle the pressures associated with achieving personal freedom which ultimately led to her death.
Motherhood In The Awakening
919 Words | 4 PagesAt the beginning of the novel, Edna had appeared to be recognizing the fact that her life revolves around her husband and her children, and that it is her main duty to care for them. It is mainly Mr. Pontellier, her husband, who tries to establish an image of her being a both a perfect partner and wife. He views her as an object that must be suitable for the eyes of society. According to him, his wife is a “valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage” (Chopin 2). He is controlling over her appearance and actions.
The Awakening Conflict Essay
1124 Words | 5 PagesEdna Pontillier in Kate Chopin’s novella The Awakening seeks independence and freedom via an unconventional lifestyle that creates her internal conflict. The conflict is sparked by the Apollonian and Dionysian ways of life that surround Edna. The two contrasting forces influence her decisions and the way she interacts with others. Edna’s Dionysian and Apollonian influences effect the way that she treats her children, interacts with her husband, and relates to other women in her town.
The Yellow Wallpaper And The Awakening Analysis
1122 Words | 5 PagesEdna’s life is less rough than the women because Kate Chopin the author of the Awakening plays with the connection of reality vs. appearance. This connection highlights the situation of people as she puts on a mask to fit the social expectations. In the novel we can see, Edna lives in a life with two different personalities. We can see this at the beginning of the book in chapter 7, “even as a child she had lived her own small life all within herself. At a very early
More about The Expectations Of Women In Edna Chopin's The Awakening
Oppression In Kate Chopin's The Awakening
1315 Words | 6 PagesEdna Pontellier In The Awakening
757 Words | 4 PagesJuxtaposition In The Awakening
999 Words | 4 PagesThe Awakening Rhetorical Analysis
1266 Words | 6 PagesEdna Pontellier's Attitudes Toward Motherhood In The Awakening
1044 Words | 5 PagesOutward Conformity In Kate Chopin's The Awakening
825 Words | 4 PagesConformity In The Awakening
849 Words | 4 PagesEdna's Characterization In The Awakening
467 Words | 2 PagesEdna's Roles In The Awakening
1386 Words | 6 PagesAdele And Edna Pontellier In Kate Chopin's The Awakening
519 Words | 3 PagesThe Awakening Summary
1234 Words | 5 PagesThe Role Of Individuality In Kate Chopin's The Awakening
425 Words | 2 PagesMotherhood In The Awakening
919 Words | 4 PagesThe Awakening Conflict Essay
1124 Words | 5 PagesThe Yellow Wallpaper And The Awakening Analysis
1122 Words | 5 Pages