The Awakening

Kate Chopin essentially broke down all boundaries of the time when she decided to write The Awakening. The novel would even be slightly controversial now, but at the time it was written, her ideas were not even heard of. Chopin relays the feminist message through Edna Pontellier, who is a mother and a wife, though she is seemingly unattached from her family and does not pay much attention to them. She leaves them and attempts to escape the reality of life’s responsibilities. The novel definitely subverts the gender norm that women, especially in the 1900’s, must be housewives and mothers. It is interesting that Edna’s husband continues to reach for his wife’s attention. The gender roles seem to have been switched from the expected values of the early 20^th century. Although I recognize the feminist image Edna’s character portrays, I also believe it is an extreme illustration of how a woman should individualize herself. There are other ways to be independent rather than abandoning one’s family and then committing suicide. Edna pursues an adulterous relationship and abandons her children, yet she is supposed to be an image of feminism. I feel that the extremity of her actions is not something to be seen as positive, but I can understand the theme that women can be individuals and empower themselves.

Question: How do you think other women in the time period would react to a character like Edna? Would any agree and follow her ideas? Or were her actions too extreme?