The Rebellion of Edna against Societal and Natural Structures in The Awakening, a Novel by Kate Chopin
In Kate Chopin's The Awakening, the main character, Edna upset many nineteenth century expectations for women and their supposed roles. This is the important social issue throughout the novel because of what gender roles looked like during this time period. Edna is fighting against the societal and natural 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. Edna‘s rebelliousness in social affairs in "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin, is seen through how far she has strayed from her assigned duties as wife and mother as well as female roles in society during this era. The Awakening" explains the nature of gender relationships during thisfland is then able to define Edna‘s perception of the role of the female.
Through Chopin's focus on two other female characters, Adele and Mademoiselle, the reader can then see what is expected of Edna during this time. Edna, however, finds both women to be caught up in what society expects from them and begins to see that what she wants is the life of freedom which goes against society. Madame Ratignolle is, unquestionably, the symbol of wifely perfection in Chopin's “The Awakening.” One of her most 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 throughout the novel that reflects the social issue of how mothers are supposed to mother their children.
The feminist ideas presented in The Awakening begin as mild sentiments but as the story progresses these suggestions of women‘s empowerment become the center of the story as Edna begins to awaken. As the story progresses, the reader realizes the major societal problems that ultimately are the issues Edna Rebels against. “The Awakening" concentrates on Edna's awakening or rebirth into her “true" self that is counter to the society represented in story It is clear that mothers who stray from the set patterns of married female behavior results in disapproval of their husbands. Edna's husband felt it was necessary to intervene and make judgments of their profession as mother and wife Unlike with the idealized relationships of Mme.
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Ratignolle, much of Edna's raising of her children is out of necessity. The societal structure of the Victorian Era showed that a woman was fit to be only a wife and mother, but Edna had other ambitions: artistic, financial, and sexual freedom. In seeking her own identity. Edna necessarily runs counter to her society's perceptions of womanhood Edna's rebelliousness in social affairs in “The Awakening" by Kate Chopin, is seen through how far she has strayed from her assigned duties as wife and mother as well as female roles in society during this era.
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The Rebellion of Edna against Societal and Natural Structures in The Awakening, a Novel by Kate Chopin. (2023, Apr 24). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/the-rebellion-of-edna-against-societal-and-natural-structures-in-the-awakening-a-novel-by-kate-chopin/
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