In Kate Chopin's novel The Awakening, the protagonist, Edna Pontellier, suddenly finds herself dissatisfied with her marriage and the conservative lifestyle that it allows. She gradually emerges from her semi-conscious state of devoted wife and mother to a state of total awareness and independence. In her newfound freedom, Edna discovers at least three ways of self-expression, revealed to her through the influence of others, that lead to the revelation of her long-repressed emotions and eventually to her death.
The Creole women on Grand Isle inspire the first mode of expression that Edna learns. Edna admires the women with which she is thrown together at Lebrun's, Adele among them, because they show her a part of herself that she has been lacking:.
A characteristic which distinguished them and which impressed Mrs. Pontellier forcibly was their entire absence of prudery. Their freedom of expression was at first incomprehensible to her, though she had no difficulty in reconciling it with a lofty chastity which in the Creole woman seems to be inborn and unmistakable. (Chopin 18).
Once Edna gets passed the shock of women speaking freely and sharing their emotions openly, she finds their frankness liberating. She realizes that she can "face her emotions and sexuality directly, without fear" (Ward 5). The Creole women prove to Edna that it is okay to speak and think about one's own feelings. With this knowledge she begins to "acknowledge, define, and articulate her emotions" (Ward 5). She also begins to "rebel instinctively against the narrowness of her upbringing, which has forced her to hide her opinions and criticisms" (MacDonald 2): "At a very early period she had apprehended instinctively the dual life "that outward existence which conforms, the inward life which questions" (Chopin 64). In short, Enda Pontellier begins to become an independent woman and starts to think for herself.
Edna's Victorious End In Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening, Edna Pontellier begins a journey of self-discovery. ... In actuality, Edna's suicide becomes a victorious ending for Edna. ... Edna cannot fall asleep again. ... Later, Edna goes on a swim. ... While sleeping, Edna is at peace. ...
Before her transformation, Edna is very poised and controlled. ... [Edna] wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before."" ... "Another time, [Edna] would have gone in at his request. ... At their departure, Edna becomes emotional and even cries. ... Edna no longer submits to or works for anybody but herself; ...
In the novel, The Awakening, Edna Pontellier goes through many changes. ... On Grand Isle, Edna acts how a wife is expected to act. ... Léonce still shows his power over Edna by replying to Edna asking him if he is coming in by saying "Yes, dear just as soon as I have finished my cigar.""... When Robert and Edna go to Madame Antoine's house, Edna begins to awaken even more. ... By doing this, Edna further separates herself from Leonce. ...
Edna responds, "I don't wish to go in, and I don't intend to. ... In search of direction for her life Edna seeks guidance from Mademoiselle Reisz. ... Edna leaves hastily after receiving Mademoiselle Reisz's address. ... Edna's exploration of her sexual desires begins with Arobin, and ends with Robert. ... Edna realizes that her actions will directly affect how society views her children. ...
Edna's second awakening began when the man by the name Robert asks Edna if she would like to go for a bath before dinner. ... That was the end of Edna Pontellier. ... Alcee becomes intimate with Edna. Though occasionally crude, Alcee attracts Edna. ... All of Edna's actions were not unintentional. ...
One of the novel's minor characters, Adele Ratignolle, serves as a foil to Edna, illustrating all the qualities of the ideal nineteenth century housewife which Edna refuses to adopt. ... In comparison, Edna, though admitting Mr. ... This is one way in which Edna strays from the perfect housewife image that Adele embodies. ... As the author points out, Edna is not a mother-woman. ... Edna declares, "I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself" (47). ...
By using clothing imagery and the change in Edna's sleeping patterns though out the novel, Chopin shows how Edna changes and grows until she accomplishes her final goal. ... Edna's episode with Léonce marks the start of Edna's strange sleeping habits. ... Robert, in turn, leads Edna to Madame Antoine's home to rest. ... At the dinner, Edna is wearing a spectacular gown that is described to be the color of Edna's flesh without the glow. ... After the party, Edna and Alca©e consummate their illicit relationship, indicating a full removal of Edna's garmen...
In chapter six, Edna is awakened as to the true circumstances of her life. ... Nevertheless, Edna is determined to fight for her autonomy. ... This time, however, Edna expressed to Mr. ... Again in chapter seventeen, Edna rebels against her husband. ... It is with Robert and Arobin, not her husband, that Edna finds this. ...
Hester is a beautiful and elegant women and Edna is "handsome" in a manly way. ... Hester lived in the Puritan culture and Edna lived in the Creole culture. ... Edna does not love Leonce, and she struggles with that fact in the beginning of the novel, though Edna does love Robert and has an emotional affair with him and she has a physical affair with Arobin. Edna experiments with love in order to find her true individuality. ... Both Edna and Hester faced the same problem, they needed their independence. ...
