The Awakening by Kate Chopin, is a highly acclaimed and controversial classic which is widely accepted as a big cornerstone for the women's movement. It can be said that such piece of literature helped lay some of the foundations for the political theory of feminism, and it suggested and inspired many women to seek their equality. This is mainly because the book itself explores the physical, emotional and mental state of Edna Pontellier, whose goal was to step out of the boundaries of a stereotypical Victorian wife. The main conflict of the narrative could be explained as an internal struggle, in which the protagonist begins a process to seek her desires, her inner self and even love. Those reasons alone are enough evidence to imply that The Awakening's plot is themed around an internal chain of discoveries and realizations.
Edna is juxtaposed as depressed, impulsive, and longs for independence as well as freedom from the responsibilities of her normal life. With this in mind a friendship between the two seems unlikely, nevertheless Chopin wove their bond through the plot of the Awakening.
Throughout the nineteenth century, the age of Edna Pontellier, a female`s role in society was restricted to worshipping her kids and conforming to her spouse. Kate Chopin's The Awakening encompasses the disappointment and achievement in a female's life as she endeavors to survive these stringent cultural demands. Disregarding the stereotype of a "mother-woman," Edna fights the pressures that require her to follow a submissive and dutiful routine. Though Edna's eventual suicide misrepresents her struggles against a tyrannical society, The Awakening upholds and promotes feminism as a method for women to acquire individual identity. Birds play an imperative role in Edna's development.
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 Awakening is about breaking free from the pre-determined labels society puts on you. It is about finding the daring to be you. The Awakening asks you to forget about that little box you live in—the one in which you wear certain clothes, only hang out with certain people, and define yourself according to the certain rules of a clique.
The Awakening by Kate Chopin takes place during 1899, which was still a time where those standards were heavily endorsed. Some may even say it is the life a woman was born to follow. ʺNotes on The Cult of Domesticity and True Womanhood,ʺ Professor Catherine Lavender, Prepared for Students in HST 386: Women in the City, 1998. This magazine written for women by men detailed the many standards a society had for a woman. It began with the banishment of education for woman, it was said to lead them away from their true religion, their home.
In Kate Chopin’s novel, The Awakening, she explores unorthodox ideas of feminism through themes such as identity, freedom, art, culture, and femininity which are portrayed through the female protagonist, Edna Pontellier. The cover illustration by Create Space is insightful to the plot of the story. This illustration includes an image of a shirtless
A passage from the novel “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin, “I shall have a grand dinner before I leave the old house!” (Page 108, Chopin) This passage from the text emphasizes the idea of independence because Edna Pontellier separated from her husband and was able to provide for herself. Consequently, Edna Pontellier
She leaves all of her family behind so that she can be her true self, claiming that she is just not fit for the generic woman’s life. Written by Kate Chopin, many of her works cross boundaries of what women were supposed to write like back then. Writing and publishing a novel such as The Awakening was very hazardous back in the nineteenth century. When first published, this novel was heavily frowned upon by most people. However, times have changed and this novel is now gaining all the positive publicity that it deserves.
The Awakening by Kate Chopin was during a time when society viewed women as weak individuals. Demonstrates women's struggles for the freedom and individuality they wanted. During this time men had far more power than women did and took advantage of the freedom they had. This took place before the 19th amendment was passed and women were limited to their rights. He “Looks at his wife like a valuable piece that has suffered some damages” (p33).
Amanda Richardson Mrs. Schroder AP Literature and Composition 2 January 2018 1995 Based in the early 19th century, Enda, the protagonist of The Awakening is stuck in an era where she does not agree with the values nor culture that those around her are accustomed to. Through Edna’s “awakening” and drastically different values, Kate Chopin is able to alienate her from the surrounding society. Edna’s thoughts and actions create conflict in her relationships. Surrounding characters are unable to understand or provide justification towards Edna’s new found culture and values, isolating Edna. Due to this, characters unable to perceive the actions of The Awakening protagonist remain in a state of confusion as well as provide major disapproval.