The Awakening

7 Pages 1686 Words

Drowning in a Sea of Freedom:
Edna’s Representation of Feminism in The Awakening


In The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, the author makes several political statements. Chopin acknowledges sexual issues as well as women’s rights. During a time period when the discussion of such topics was considered to be unacceptable, Chopin was assertive with the character of Edna Pontellier. Edna epitomized the feminist role of the strong-willed woman who no longer wanted to adhere to the boundaries of a society where she could not live freely as she had wanted.
Edna found the limitations that were placed on her by society to be too restricting for her. Women in her day had very few options. It was often the backseat role of wife and mother that was most commonly enforced. Michael Ryan wrote, “The assumed norm in many societies is for women to be in charge of domestic labor and childrearing. . . .” (101). Edna found herself in this situation and was discontented by it. She did not desire to conform to the barriers that society placed around her. She was a unique, free spirit who had no right to practice the freedom she so desperately yearned for.
Though many scholars view the character of Edna as female yearning to break free into her male-counterpart, as she truly felt she was, Edna can be viewed as a female who simply yearned for equal opportunity. Bringing into consideration theories pertaining to gender studies as well, she did not want to take on the role of a male, but rather wanted the same independence that the male was afforded.
Edna’s “awakening” happened equally emotionally and physically, but both sexually to some extent. With Robert Lebrun, she experienced the emotional aspect of love and passion. With Arobin, she experienced the physical aspect of love and passion. But Arobin could not control Edna’s emotions and therefore she distanced herself from him so as not to become too emotionally attached. ...