Amanda O’Donnell
Kate Chopin, The Awakening
I first read Chopin’s The Awakening in my women writers’ class. I thought Chopin’s ability to depict relatable internal conflict was impressive. Having studied it since, I began to realize as many times as it is referred to as a feminist work, responsible even for having in someway spearheaded the feminist movement, it is referred to as the opposite: a work of an author with a distinct lack of interest in feminism. Should The Awakening be approached as a feminist work? What does it matter? I attempted to classify it based on evidence found within the novel.
Biography:
- · Born in 1850
- · Raised by strong, independent females
- · First published in early 1890’s
Summary:
- · Protagonist Edna Pontellier
- · Unsatisfied with society’s designated role, to act solely as mother and wife
- · Incapable of filling personal desires, sexual and emotional
- · Is eventually overtaken by the conflict of her realizations and defiance, and established norms
- · Swims out to sea in an act that is assumed suicidal
Background:
- · Published in 1899
- · Turn of the century, emergence of feminist ideals
- · Criticized for subject matter, praised for style and ability
Feminism or… :
- · Ultimately a depiction
- · Despite what it is labeled it reads the same
- · Edna’s suicide as a hope for change
- · Chopin’s decision to publish
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