Kensey Gates, Blog Option #5.

Blog Option #5

The Awakening by Kate Chopin is a well-written novel that goes against the norms of society for the time period in which it was written. Kate Chopin writes about one character in particular, Edna, who is a symbol of a revolt against gender conformity. I believe she allows people to truly gain insight into the lives of women and the role they were “supposed” to have during the late 1800’s.

I noticed several themes and motifs throughout the book that contributed to the message and overall sympathy I found myself feeling towards the women of this time. The theme of independence seemed to be dominant as Edna strives to gain a sense of self-identification, but is met with the many constraints placed on women by laws and the expectations placed from society. Women were supposed to play a primarily domestic role within their households and were seen to be under “control” by their husbands. Upon Edna desiring not to go to her sister’s wedding, Edna’s father tells Leonce, “put your foot down good and hard: the only way to manage a wife” (Chopin 68). This is evidence that the men felt as if they knew what was best and if their wives didn’t agree they should have the authority to make them do, as they desired.

Despite the expectation of women to play a domestic role, Edna goes against this norm, which is completely unheard of at the time. Mr. Pontellier does not understand Edna’s lack of duty to play the domestic role he believes women should have and says she has a, “habitual neglect of the children” (Chopin 7). Edna brings forth a theme of self-expression. She gradually throughout the novel learns to directly face her emotions. She learns this in numerous ways such as her relationship with Adele, expression through her art and Mademoiselle Reisz’s music, conquering her fear of swimming, and her growing love towards Robert.

I believe both of these themes portray the discrimination and lack of identity women were given at the time. I feel the book does a great job of making one feel sympathetic to Edna and the other women of this time and what it must have been like living in this time and therefore I would give it a rating of four. I think Kate Chopin was brave to write a novel that for at the time was deemed scandalous due to the “rebellious” nature of Edna since she wasn’t afraid to form her own identity. I would for sure recommend this book to others, because it is a entertaining story that has deeper meanings that can give one an appreciation and admiration of the bold qualities that lead one to step outside of society’s expectations and to form one’s own independence and self identity.