Identity in The Awakening - Book Report/Review Example

Identity in The Awakening Identity in The Awakening The entire novel explores identity in the context of Edna’s society. In thisregard, Edna got disgruntled with the label of a mother and a mother. The society attached various roles subject to the norms of the society. The society perceived as inferior to their men counterparts. This is the reason women were strictly given role of taking care of their husbands and being submissive to them. Te role of motherhood also made Edna dissatisfied with the labels. In fact, the identity of women in the society was demeaning and disenfranchising. The Victorian women perceived Edna as deviant of society’s norms but she made precedence by breaking away from the discriminative and unfair norms of Victorian society. Edna sought to establish her real identity as a civilized woman in the Victorian society. She served to liberate many women through her bold move to seek independence. Edna’s establishment of her real identity is the central theme of the novel. The identity of the Victorian women is about their gender rather than character. Expectations and restrictions on women in the Victorian society are based on their identity as women. The norms of the society dictated that a woman’s role was motherhood and companion of her man. However, Edna’s new identity as the radical and independent women of the Victorian society develops new re for autonomous women like her including sexual freedom and financial supremacy. Womanhood does not discourage Edna’s agitation for freedom to pursue her goals in life like other men. Edna was determined to transform into a new identity of an ambitious women. This is evident when she took off her wedding rings and handed them to her husband in outright deviance and stubbornness. Edna was a typical Victorian woman who complied with every norm of society, which his manifested by her wedding ring. However, Edna transformed to a civilized and autonomous women who could no longer be burdened with societal norms. Her deviance was manifest when she tried to break her wedding ring. Self-realization characterized Edna’s childhood. Edna instinctively sensed that women’s world had dual lives. The desire to pursue their goals independently was insatiable because of societal norms and culture. Consequently, all women are required to conform to the bandwagon. The critical inner being of Edna was always in contrast with the conformist outer being of Edna. However, the critical being of Edna dominates the conformist Edna. Kate says, “…She is not one of us; she is not like us. She might make the Unfortunate blunder of taking you seriously …” (Chopin, 2010, p.34). Edna was categorical to an extent that eve her children could not bar her from her bid for independence. Edna says, “…I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldnt give myself. I cant make it more clear; its only something which I am beginning to comprehend, which is revealing itself to me…” (Chopin, 2010, p.57). Edna asserts that she would rather part with her money for the sake of her children than giving her-self away to archaic and exploitative Victorian norms. However, the rest of the women like Madame Ratignolle comments on Edna’s move. She says, “…I dont know what you would call the essential, or what you mean by the unessential," said Madame Ratignolle, cheerfully; "but a woman who would give her life for her children could do no more than that--your Bible tells you so. Im sure I couldnt do more than that…” (Chopin, 2010, p.9). Edna is fine and comfortable with her mission she laughs off Ratignolle’s criticism. In this regard, Edna laughs, “…Oh, yes you could!" laughed Edna…” Edna was controversial and few people could understand her. Edna’s moves even surprised a doctor who declared, “…The trouble is grasping her meaning intuitively, that youth is given up to illusions. It seems to be a provision of Nature; a decoy to secure mothers for the race. And Nature takes no account of moral consequences, of arbitrary conditions which we create, and which we feel obliged to maintain at any cost…” (Chopin, 2010, p.97). Edna considers the Victorian women to be sleeping in ignorance. The fact that Edna has managed to overcome the domineering norms of society makes her the beacon of hope for all women’s liberation from the yoke of exploitation. In this regard, Edna affirms, “…Yes," she said. "The years that are gone seem like dreams--if one might go on sleeping and dreaming--but to wake up and find--oh! well! Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all ones life…”( Chopin, 2010, p.111).Edna believe that it is better to be aware of the right thing to do rather than being complacent and ignorant of one’s rights. Edna’s life was full of agitation to know more and more information on various phenomenons. In this regard, the legend grew and developed the desire for knowledge and had a critical mind. Therefore, Edna’s childhood also played a role in his change of identity. Moreover, Edna’s childhood was full of comfort and bliss. The lifestyle made her to venture into many areas in life in order to learn more things. Edna could get bored because of the position of women in society. Life seemed meaningless to her. In addition, Edna did not feel sorry for her moves because the moves assured her that of her independence. Whenever Edna was low and lonely especially when no woman in the Victorian community could support her bid for better life, she could abandon job and rest. Edna was also industrious and she could not feel any remorse of all that was happening. Edna’s stay in grand Isle provided her with an opportunity to savor good moments in life. The place also inspired her with the essential of good life. Swimming also manifests her identity as independent women in the Victorian society, which had repugnant norms. Edna’s critical nature made her knowledgeable on many aspects in life. When she compared her past and present life, she could realize that she made great strides. Edna had interest in art. For instance, she could pant for fun. Edna says, “…feel like painting," answered Edna…perhaps I shant always feel like it…”.. However, Ratignolle warns her to be cautious of her moves. Ratignolle says, “…then in Gods name paint! but dont let the family go to the devil. Theres Madame Ratignolle; because she keeps up her music, she doesnt let everything else go to chaos. And shes more of a musician than you are a painter…” (Chopin, 2010, p.123). However, Edna curtly disagrees with Ratignolle and declares that painting cannot stop her for pursuing her goals. Edna also gets furious and parts ways with her counterpart, Ratignolle. In this regard, Edna says, “…Oh! I dont know. Let me alone; you bother me…” (Chopin, 2010, p. 131). The fact that starts her task of painting implies that she is ready to take up eh role of men in society. The Victorian society gives the women a bad identity because women are perceptibly housekeepers. Household duties were a feminine role, according to the Victorian society. Edna’s neglect of house duties communicates wrong message for various reasons. First, Edna has children whom she has to attend to as a mother. Additionally, Edna has a husband who she should obey. Instead, Edna decides to defy society norms and breaks away from her expectations in society. Mrs. Pontellier supported also joined Edna in the struggle for independence and autonomy. Individualism is part of Edna’s identity because she seeks to understand herself as an individual rather than a group. Edna‘s convictions drove her actions rather than euphoria. Her identity as an independent and civilized woman enabled her to do all she could with a free mind. Edna does not have the audacity to influence other women in society to join her. As a result, she is not able to share her convictions on the need for change in the Victorian society. Edna says, “…Some way I dont feel moved to speak of things that trouble me. Dont think I am ungrateful or that I dont appreciate your sympathy. There are periods of despondency and suffering which take possession of me. But I dont want anything but my own way. That is wanting a good deal, of course, when you have to trample upon the lives, the hearts, the prejudices of others--but no matter-still, I shouldnt want to trample upon the little lives. Oh! I dont know what Im saying, Doctor. Good night. Dont blame me for anything…” (Chopin, 2010, p.137). Even the doctor affirms that Edna is a brilliant dynamic and creative. The character of Edna is controversial because she also fits a sadistic identity because she is not concerned with the repercussions of her moves to the entre society and the women of the Victorian society. Reflection is also manifest in her manner of doing things. In this regard, she is meditative and reflective of her own nature. She affirms, “…One of these days," she said, "Im going to pull myself together for a while and think--try to determine what character of a woman I am; for, candidly, I dont know. By all the codes which I am acquainted with, I am a devilishly wicked specimen of the sex. But some way I cant convince myself that I am. I must think about it…” (Chopin, 2010, p.145). Edna is continuously in search of the unknown because she discovered that she ought to achieve a state of being. She believes that gender does not limit her from civilization. Edna’s joy and happiness s manifest when she swims. Her shouting confirms that she is determining to seek her new identity as independent women in society. She also wants to perform all duties despite the constraints from the Victorian society. Such a life makes her life fulfilling than anything else. Reference Chopin, K. (2010). The awakening. New York: Garrett Pr. Read More