The Feminist Novel: The Awakening by Kate Chopin - Term Paper Example

The Awakening – Kate Chopin In 1899, Kate Chopin published a very controversial feminist novel, The Awakening, which was a realistic account of complex psychological feelings and the social constructs of the nineteenth century. It is categorized as a contemporary novel, which is rather a reflection of American Modernism, challenging the atrocities that were carried out against the feminist notions during the nineteenth century. To present the views on feminism and motherhood and to challenge the prevalent views on these concepts, the author has used Edna as the protagonist of the novel, who undergoes several awakenings during its course. This was the time when the orthodox views on womanhood revolved around the aspect that women have been fairly associated with the role of raising children, taking care of families and, more importantly, their husbands. The plot is set in New Orleans, where Edna is settled with her family; however, the story reaches its climax when certain events in Edna`s life induce notions of feminism in her with an increased intensity. Thus, The Awakening is characterized by the self-realization (awakening) of Edna several times during the course of events which occurred in her life; this forms the core ingredient of the novel, as the name implies. Also, to specify in this context, she is awakened to freedom and self-determination as a woman and has the desire to switch roles with her male counterpart; this awakening on the part of Edna further induces certain awakenings in some other people associated with her husband, Leonce Pontellier, and her lover, Robert Lebrun. Given the circumstances associated with Edna`s awakening, however, the closing of the story leaves loose ends, a mystery and a source of debate for many. Since the thesis is about the awakening of Edna, the contextual analysis of the novel becomes crucial. As suggested above, in the thesis, Edna experienced awakening multiple times during the course of her life; this proposition can be justified in two ways: firstly, by the help of the discourse analysis of the language used by Edna, and by other characters (Muirhead 42); and, secondly, with the help of ideological changes she experiences throughout (Grey 53). Initially as the plot begins, there is no clash either in conversation/language or the ideology which Edna believes in or follows in relation to her husband. In the beginning, Edna is living a rather contented life with her husband and two sons; her role is specified as the care taker of the children and her husband. In this regard, her husband takes pride in the fact that he is the dominant actor in the family – it is apparent in the conversations he makes. Moreover, it can be witnessed that throughout the course of events that Edna experiences, she turns out to be a changed person in the end. The awakening of Edna is not because of a single event, but because of the series of events that occur throughout. As she realizes her freedom through the series of events, she begins viewing her life differently. However, certain factors induce a sense of self-realization in Edna, which makes her desire full of freedom and control over her actions, so that she can feel that she is the only one who`s responsible for her acts and she is not thus answerable to anyone else, not even her husband. The first factor is another character of the story, her friend Adele, who belongs to a background where women have more freedom. Thus, this is where Edna understands or realizes the concept of freedom, and the innate sense of freedom is developed. This can be seen in this quote from the story: “In short, Mrs. Pontellier was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an individual to the world within and about her” (Chopin 33). This clearly shows that Mrs. Pontellier was changing as a person because of her environment. Secondly, Edna plays an active role in sexual selection which helps her realize the importance of self-ownership. This clearly shows that Edna is relieved by knowing that she has the power to choose when it comes to her sexual desires and thus she has a feeling of ownership. She first chooses Robert over her husband, realizing her self-esteem and ownership, but when he leaves her, she then turns to a flirt in the town to satisfy her needs. This clearly shows that she realizes that she wanted something different in life and her husband could not stop her from getting what she had wanted. This self-ownership can also be witnessed in the scene when she tells Robert that she is not Mrs. Leonce anymore. The boldness shows that she is ready to give up everything to achieve her freedom. Thirdly, as her husband discusses the situation with a doctor, after which he decides to leave Edna alone to “take some air,” she experiences absolute freedom – she can now practice painting and develop sexual relations with Alcee to fulfill her sexual desires. Another factor which further awakens her femininity is a musician, Mademessiolle Reisz, who is also in contact with Robert, and she becomes an inspiration, or rather an encouragement for Edna. Lastly, the return and the subsequent permanent departure of Robert further awaken her to such an extent that she decides to end her life. What remains unclear in this context is the dilemma – whether she gave up her life to prove the triumph of feminism or, in fact, she gives up on her struggle to fight for her awakening. It is seen that she experiences awakening not just once but repeatedly as she proceeds through the course of her life driven by various events. Moving towards the second part of the thesis, where the awakening of other members of the society is also specified, discourse analysis of the text of the novel and the ideological analysis prevalent in various situations need again to be made. Discourse analysis is defined as a type of analysis through which the sentences and parts of a text are analyzed through different approaches. Firstly, Robert, who is acclaimed as a playboy and who often changes his partners as years pass by, finally undergoes an awakening in the form of developing true feelings for Edna; however, this awakening does not lead him anywhere, and he ends up exiting Edna`s life, as the awakening is not as intense as that of Edna (Grey 59). His true feelings for Edna can be seen in the following quote: “Don’t go; don’t go! Oh Edna stay with me,” he pleaded. “Why should you go? Stay with me, stay with me” Chopin 284). The words of Robert clearly indicate that he is desperately in love with Edna. Secondly, Leonce, who is the husband of Edna, also undergoes an awakening. The excerpt mentioned above indicates how he was dominant over Edna and lost in his business so that he did not allocate any importance to the feelings or desires of Edna; however, once the life of Edna undergoes a change, Leonce is also now exposed to an awakening whereby he realizes that he can no longer control Edna and his dominance, which has its roots in the ideological social constructs, can no longer be applied once Edna refuses to accept these norms. This is further specified in another excerpt from the paper produced by Muirhead: “He softens his tone from command to request, but this approach is short-lived, for his next turn, after Edna’s refusal, includes a direct command: “You must come in the house instantly” (45). Fairclough suggests that “‘must’ signals obligation” (127). Therefore, with time, Robert further gives up his dominance and allows Edna to lead her life alone. In contrast to what the social constructs imply – that a woman has no power, or rather no influence, over the society – the awakening of Edna induced by other factors further stimulates awakening in other characters, predominantly male characters, justifying the thesis aforementioned in the paper. It can be concluded that Edna experiences the awakening not just once but rather several times in the form of realizing her desire for freedom and femininity, along with her desire to work, i.e. practice painting. However, the society implies that the sole functions of a life of a woman revolve around taking care of her family, kids and husband. However, as she continues living with Adele and meets Robert, she develops a desire for acquiring pleasure by living a free life and practicing her own ideals, not the ideals accepted in society. Thus, with time she keeps exploring her inner self and keeps acquiring freedom, which further leads to a change in attitudes and beliefs of the male counterparts as they start accepting the femininity of Edna. More so, in this context, the closing end leaves the readers and the analysts in a dilemma as she commits suicide; the dilemma is whether or not this was an expression of freedom or the expression of giving up. Therefore, in a nutshell, The Awakening is a reflection of the American modernization during the Victorian Era, when a few bold women started to realize their freedom of expression; however, the clashes owed much to confusions and complicated beginnings and endings as indicated by the life of Edna. Works Cited Top of Form Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. New York: Capricorn Books, 1964. Print. Bottom of Form Muirhead, Marion. “Articulation and Artistry: A Conversational Analysis of ‘The Awakening.’” The Southern Literary Journal. 33.1 (2000): 42–54. Print. Gray, Jennifer B. The Escape of "the Sea:" Ideology and the Awakening. The University of North Carolina Press, 2004. Print. Fairclough, Norman. Language and Power. New York: Longman, 1989. Print. Read More