The Awakening
When faced with the question of "which novel did I have the greatest reaction to this semester?", the first story that came to mind was The Awakening. Although written from the perspective of a woman, I found that this story rendered my greatest emotional appeal. It is a story of a woman, Edna Pontellier, who transforms herself from an obedient housewife to a person who is alive with strength of character and emotions that she no longer has to suppress. The metamorphosis is shaped by her surroundings. It is the narrow minded view of society in Victorian times that makes this story possible. Just as her behavior is more shocking and horrifying because of her position in society, it is that very position which causes her to feel restrained and makes her want to rebel against convention. Is Edna truly "awakened" at the end of the story? A typical Victorian woman maintained her sphere which deemed "women's personal lives center around home, husband, and children."(Bonner, 26) Women were supposed to accept this position in the home happily and be satisfied. It never satisfied Edna, who always seemed out of place when with other woman. She was a wife and mother, but not a typical Victorian wife and mother. With rega
excessive and fictitious warmth colored her affection, thereby threatening its desolution"(Chopin,18).While this lack of emotion is enough to satisfy Edna for the majority of the marriage, after she allows her true self to come forward, she feels trapped and seeks to escape. As the story progresses, Edna focuses on her desires rather than what her husband wants. Edna disregards her husbands appeals to conform and continues to do what she wants. These desires eventually lead her to commit adultery, which in Victorian times, would be disastrous for a woman. One must admire Edna's courage even if they do not agree with her decision to commit adultery. It is this aspect of adultery and disregards for the norms of Victorian society that led Chopin to receive rejection when the book was first published(Bonner, Introduction). Sadly, what Victorians saw as a rejection of convention on behalf of Edna can almost be seen as convention today. This is what makes the setting and time that The Awakening takes place in so important to the story. Edna's marriage to Leonce is safe, but there is no passion or excitement. " She grew fond of her husband, realizing with some unaccountable satisfaction that no trace
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Approximate Word count = 813
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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