In Kate Chopin’s, The Awakening, feminism is clearly expressed
through Edna’s independence. However, Chopin uses other characters in this novel
as a contrast to Edna’s behavior in order to emphasize how unaccepted being a
feminist was during that time.
Madame Ratignolle is
the epitome of a Victorian woman. She and her husband are in a relationship with “domestic
harmony” (Chopin 107). Edna even acknowledges that her friend “[doesn’t] leave
the house, except to take [languid walks] with her husband after nightfall”
(Chopin 130). Edna is always doing something- whether she is going to the races or visiting her friends- and when she is at home doing nothing, she is unhappy. The contrasting
qualities between these two women show how different Edna really is from the
rest of the Victorian society.
On the other hand, Mademoiselle Reisz shares many similar qualities with
Edna. They are both strong willed women who wish to be left to their own devices.
Mademoiselle Reisz, unlike Edna, is shunned by society. She lives alone (no husband
or children), and she doesn’t really associate with anyone, save for Robert and
Edna. Mademoiselle Reisz serves as a symbol of what happens to women when they choose themselves over having a husband and children.
Léonce Pontieller symbolizes the male opposition to the feminist
movement. He will only be a “courteous husband so long as he [meets] a certain
tacit submissiveness in his wife” (Chopin 108). Léonce goes to the doctor to
ask if Edna is sick because “she’s got some sort of notion in her head concerning
the eternal right of women” (Chopin 118). Besides Madamoiselle Reisz, the rest
of Edna’s companions aren’t so accepting of feminism. Immersed in a society
that shuns female independence, Edna’s feminist ideals will soon prove to be catastrophic
for her.
Despite society's disproval towards feminism, independence continues to allure Edna. Society, for instance, avoids Mademoiselle Reisz because it fears the unconventional, independent woman. However, Edna seeks the woman out on her own as she is attracted to the idea of freedom. Unlike society, she is not afraid of nonconformity.
ReplyDeleteToday 's society has evolved far beyond the Victorian principles, but there are still feminist campaigns on the rise. The HeForShe movement raises awareness for gender inequality by engaging men to speak up for injustices against women. Even though The Awakening takes place during the Victorian era, there are still similar issues today involving gender inequality. I think the reason Kate Chopin's books are still relevant today was because of her innovative mindset.
ReplyDeleteOther people's negative opinions of feminism did not waiver Edna's thoughts. Madamoiselle Reisz is supposed to be an example of what a woman does not want to end up like, but to Edna finds solace in the fact that Reisz is truly free. Thankfully im recent society women are slowly deteriorating the notion that a men are better than women.
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