The Awakening by Kate Chopin is a fascinating novel that speaks on the role of women in the late 1800s. More importantly, it shows how these roles were broken by strong women. Edna Pontellier, a housewife in the South of the United States, feels trapped and alone in the life she lives, and seeks fulfillment in living a life not dictated by societal expectations of women.
The novel being written by an American author and set in the United States, The Awakening possesses two important factors which contribute to its qualification as a “great American novel”. Beyond these, there are many elements within the novel that prove it to be a “great American novel”. The book initially comments on the lives of endless women who are stuck being housewives who often get little satisfaction from this lifestyle. Edna’s life initially consists of caring for her husband and children, and not much beyond that; she often has ironic thoughts on her husband’s expectations of her: “If it was not a mother’s place to look after children, whose on earth was it? He himself had his hands full with his brokerage business” (29). Edna, like many other women in this era, feel suppressed and undervalued amidst societal norms. Finally, Edna reaches a point where she decides to give in to her want to disobey expectations. When she spends time with Robert and Madame Ratignolle, she finds herself opening up to the freedom to choose what she wants to do and who she wants to spend her time with. When Edna reluctantly decides to go to the beach with Robert, this symbolizes a sort of realization in Edna that she doesn’t need to feel guilty for doing what she wants to do; “They descended the steps, and walked away together toward the beach” (50).
The overall message of this text can be found as empowering to many readers. Edna’s overall development as a character communicates that she grows emotionally and gains self-value. Readers can relate to Edna’s emotions and gain inspiration from her change of mindset. Toward the end of the novel, when she has abandoned her old lifestyle and entered into independence, it’s evident that her self-confidence has become very prominent, contrasting with her doubt and hesitance present at the beginning of the novel. As she takes a major step in being independent by planning to buy a house for herself, it is clear that she has changed as a person in her words, actions, and mannerisms. She feels no need to explain herself or care what others think of her; when she is questioned about telling the truth, Edna“did not protest or endeavor to justify herself” (250). Additionally, Instead of trying to act ‘ladylike’ and conform to the mannerisms that are expected of women, she lets herself act as she wants; “She drank the liquor from the glass as a man would have done” (249). Clearly, having a place of her own to live is a major step in her character growth and allows Edna to be truly independent and self-sufficient; “I know I shall like it, like the feeling of freedom and independence” (251).
Though modern day gender roles differ significantly from those present in The Awakening, the message is still relevant today in many ways. Obviously, it was unconventional for a woman to live an independent life in the late 1800s. Today, though it’s less typical than it used to be, there are still many cases in which women are expected to act a certain way. In America, women still generally take care of the children while men work and provide for the family. However, the number of independent women who are successful and provide for themselves has and continues to grow significantly. Although Edna’s actions were deemed unacceptable and selfish, the fact that she wanted to make more of herself was inspiring to many at the time, and didn’t fail to inspire me as the reader over a century later.
Great American Novels 2020 