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The Awakening by Kate Chopin

 

It includes the realization of the character that society is corrupt and therefore the views encouraged by society are wrong. The character must return to the true self and break free from the boundaries established by society. In The Awakening, this aspect of Romanticism is not so clear. One of the reasons for this lies in the chronology of the story, for the evils of society are not revealed until the Romantic Journey has already been taken. When Edna Pontellier is first introduced, she is in a state of confusion and unhappiness. Chopin shows glimpses of a woman who is living a life that she did not want. On the surface, she seems to have the ideal life. She is a beautiful woman who is married to a very successful businessman. He provides her with any luxury she desires, and they also have two healthy children together. Edna is also free from the burdens of all labor, as she has servants to carry out any necessary tasks. She is free to bask in the glory and luxury of being a respectable upper class woman. Yet, upon closer investigation, there is the feeling that she is not happy with this life and perhaps it is not as perfect as it seems. .
             The first indication of her unhappiness is shown in the scene where Mr. Pontellier returns home from his night out and awakens Edna, claiming that one of their sons had a fever. In a way, Mr. Pontellier is punishing his wife for not being a more attentive mother, but he does so in a cruel and condescending manner. This sends Edna out into the night to cry. The reason for her tears is unclear, even to herself. Is she mad at herself for being a bad mother? Is she upset because her husband makes her feel so inadequate? Chopin slowly offers the answer by hinting that Edna is stuck in a marriage and family that binds her to a place where she does not want to be. A few days after the scene that sent Edna away crying, she receives a box of treats from her husband, perhaps as a way to make up for his harsh behavior.


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