But she could not realize why or how she should have yielded, feeling as she then did. "(Chopin 79) The relation between language and gender has always reflected societal power relations
Edna Pontellier faces great difficulty in expressing herself in the strongly patriarchal society of nineteenth century New Orleans. She is unable to vocalize her frustration or her desires because "the registers available to her are unsuitable for that purpose" (Brightwell 37)
This new society granted men and women equal rights which were reflected in the opportunity to participate in all aspects and processes of society, and provided equality as far as political justice. The rebirth of the Feminist Movement of the 1950s was attributed to a great extent to the publication of Betty Friedan's "The Feminine Mistique" (Freeman: 798), a book which encouraged women to liberate themselves from the social conventions which kept them confined to the domestic space and role
However, this process of spiritual awakening is not identical to the fairytale in which a love stricken princess awakens with a kiss only to find her lover sitting by her bedside. Edna awakens to life in a more complex manner which enables her to take control of her "libidinal energies" (Griffin Wolff 461) that "had been arrested at a pre-genital level" (Ibid) - so she awakens "very hungry" (Chopin 95)
Her hunger should not be restricted solely to sexuality because it encompasses all aspects of human life which she had not had access to during her marriage. Edna's final awakening or her final step towards self-assertion reveals that her nature is devoid of hope (Ringe 586)
From this point-of-view, Edna finds herself incarcerated in a marriage which does not bring her any joy or happiness but feelings of repression and frustration. Her frustration increases as she realizes that the roles that she had assumed - those of mother and wife - impede self-expression and the creation of selfhood (Spangler 251)
During the course of her journey, Edna breaks away from the socially acceptable behavior expected of women at the time. As a woman, Edna was expected to marry "and take part in [her] husband's interests and business" (Appell)
Edna is able to achieve social freedom by defying her family's wishes and marrying a man they did not approve of. Chopin writes, "[Edna's] marriage to Leonce Pontellier was purely an accident…He pleased her; his absolute devotion flattered her…Add to this violent opposition of her father and her sister Margaret to her marriage with a Catholic," which Chopin contends was enough reason for Edna to marry Leonce (Chopin 22)
Additionally, "women were not…allowed to be educated or gain knowledge outside of the home because it was a man's world" (Appell). Chopin's characterization of Edna's awakening is somewhat reminiscent of the freedoms she personally experienced while growing up alongside strong, independent, and trailblazing women who continuously defied conventions and did not let society dictate what they could or could not do (Wyatt)
Even Edna's decision to marry the young man based on her wish to spite her father and older sister does not appear to be more that the usual revolt in a young person's life. A young Edna takes the "right decision," enrolling in the cohort of married women, taking their rightful place at the right time, fulfilling their duties and destinies: "As the devoted wife of a man who worshiped her, she felt she would take her place with a certain dignity in the world of reality, closing the portals forever behind her upon the realm of romance and dreams" (Chopin)
Even her close friend Adele fails as a possible escape, even if only temporary and even if only in conversation. Indeed, when Edna abandons her initial instinct to say nothing of her inner turmoil, Adele betrays her confidence by dismissal, claiming that it is "too hot to think…" (Chopin 16)
Her inner being, like Edna's, is unable to reconcile itself with the requirements of social appearance. In addition to the caged bird symbolism, Flaubert also uses the symbols denoting womanhood of the time; in particular needlework (Champagne 103)
The physical form of the dress related to the destruction of spiritual oppression throughout the novel. Another multi-dimensional symbol of oppression in Flaubert's novel is the garden (Dauner 3)
Elizabeth Elz addresses the imagery of the bird in Kate Chopin's novel as expressing Edna's development during the course of the narrative. Edna Pontellier's cage is well-kept and gilded (Elz 2), and all the more oppressive for the lie of comfort and fulfillment it perpetuates
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The Awakening is Kate Chopin’s novel about a married woman seeking greater personal freedom and a more fulfilling life. Condemned as morbid, vulgar, and ...
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The Awakening (Dover Thrift Editions) [Kate Chopin] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. When first published in 1899, The Awakening ...
The Awakening is a novel by Kate Chopin, first published in 1899. Set in New Orleans and on the Louisiana Gulf coast at the end of the 19th century, the plot centers ...
From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the SparkNotes The Awakening Study Guide has everything you need to ace quizzes, tests ...