The Awakening – a Feminist Analysis

The wakenis anovelbyKate Chopin, first published in 1899 , set inNew siege of Orleansand the SouthernLouisianacoast at the end of the nineteenth century. The plot centers on Edna Pontellier and her struggle to reconcile her increasingly unorthodox views on femininity and pregnancy with the prevailing social attitudes of the turn-of-the-centurySouth. It is one of the earliest American novels that focuses on wowork forces issues without condescension. It is besides widely betn as a landmark work of earlyfeminism. Kate ChopinsThe Awakeningwas a bold piece of fiction in its time, and protagonist Edna Pontellier was a controversial character.She upset many nineteenth century expectations for women and their supposed roles. One of her just about shocking actions was her denial of her role as a mother and wife. Kate Chopin displays this rejection gradually, but the concept of motherhood is major theme through with(predicate)out the novel. Edna is fighting against the societal and nat ive structures of motherhood that force her to be defined by her title as wife of Leonce Pontellier and mother of Raoul and Etienne Pontellier, instead of being her own, self-defined individual.Through Chopins focus on ii other female characters, Adele Ratignolle and Mademoiselle Reisz, Ednas options of life paths are exhibited. These women are the examples that the men around Edna contrast her with and from whom they obtain their expectations for her. Edna, however, finds both role models lacking and begins to see that the life of freedom and individuality that she wants goes against bothsocietyand nature. The inevitability of her fate as a male-defined creature brings her to a state of despair, and she frees herself the only way she can, through felo-de-se.All throughout The Awakening, Kate Chopin shows examples of how women should and should not act in society, in their homes, and with their husbands. In Edna Pontelliers adopted society, women are viewed more valuable when they conform into the mother-woman role. The mother-woman role is another form of men check out, because it dictates how women should idolize their children, worship their husbands, and honor their isolated but inferior positions As the novel progresses, Edna begins to make increasingly open-eyed choices to defy illusions and conventions.Throughout the novel Edna becomes increasingly sexual, in like manner go aware of her sexuality. Her bond of friendship with Robert seems harmless at first, but when he leaves for Mexico Edna believes she is in love with him For the first time she recognized anew the symptoms of infatuation. . . to scud her as it was doing then with the biting conviction that she had lost that which she had held, that she had been denied that which her impassioned, newly awakened being demanded (Chopin 44).Edna has never had any sexual encounters with Robert, yet her emotions are so provoke by her close friend she is infatuated with him. Until this point, Edna se ems to have not realized her feelings for Robert. In time she will call these feelings love, but at this point she is deep upset because the man she is infatuated with is leaving. Ednas emotions have been stirred for the first time in a long time, and she is unwilling to merely deal with the event that the man who did this is leaving.Edna goes into a childlike pout, neglecting the familial duties she previously completed without fail. Ednas change comes in two parts, the emotionally sexual awakening she experiences with Robert and the physically sexual awakening reached with Arobin (Seyersted, Kate Chopin 155). When Robert leaves her the first time, she is upset and broods, unable to believe he left so abruptly, and without saying goodbye. Arobin cannot gain this control over Ednas emotions, as she distances herself from him and restrains herself from becoming too emotionally attached.Through her experience with Robert, Edna has learned to keep her emotional distance from men, le st she be hurt again. Edna is definitely a more sexual being right away than previously in the novel. Before she recoiled at the touch of her closest friend, and now she is indulging in a forbidden kiss, holding Arobin close to prolong the contact. She is also more reserved. Arobin is quite anxious to see Edna again, but Edna pushes him away telling him she will see him at her dinner party, not an instant sooner (Chopin 82).Edna takes control of the situation, pushing Arobin away when he begs to see her again, having come to an enlightened state of being, learning from her mistakes and being an active force in her own life. Edna now makes decisions (such as moving out of the house) based on what is right for her, choices that will drastically affect her life, doing so with open eyes and a clear head. Edna is feminist in nature, but her feminism comes with a price, and not many people are strong enough to endure social ostracizing to enjoy personal freedom.Chopin wonderfully illustr ates Ednas dilemma, showing possible consequences of becoming enlightened outside the context of a broader social movement. By the end of the novel, Chopin still refuses to tell us whether Ednas awakening is liberating, or if it is tragic. They argue that Edna Pontelliers awakening is one of mental clarity, and her suicide is a triumphant act. By committing suicide Edna is finally freeing herself from social constraints and possession. Her suicide is an act of liberation, therefore Edna is the ultimate feminist.