1)Introduction
“It is not good that the man should be alone” People all over the world are given in to marriage. But for what do people enter into this covenant? Men are social beings and need each other for love and companionship. Marriage is one of the closest unions and intimate relationships among humans. For this very reason it is of the utmost importance that the couple builds a relationship which is founded on deep affection, respect and trust. Prerequisite for this mutually beneficial marriage tie is the idea of equality of both men and women. Back in the time, women were not always seen as equal to men. On the contrary they were seen solely as objects, who were supposed to quietly submit to their husband in every aspect of life. To our time, this would clearly speak against human rights, which declares everyone to be born equal, with dignity and rights. Though even in the past, the somewhat innate consciousness of these rights caused oppressed women to speak up and not to remain silent. This sense of justice not rarely caused individual women to be confronted with seemingly insurmountable obstacles that society placed in their way, offering only death to escape. Edna Pontellier, the protagonist of the novel “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin, was such a women caught up in her role as wife and mother but awakened to the realities of a male dominated culture that would counteract her self-definition and made self-denial a prerequisite for marriage. The purpose of the first chapter will be to examine the early stage of Edna in her marriage when she overlooked her husband’s inadequacies and lived the submissive life given to her by the Victorian society of the 19th century as property of her spouse. This is followed by Edna’s alienation from the patriarchic society, when she rebels against Léonce as the head of the family and the common mindset of the people of her time. Furthermore it will be examined which consequences this liberation from a male dominated environment in a marriage entailed. Special attention will be given to Edna’s financial independence as well as her self-determined authority over her own life. Last but not least, the analysis will end with a brief summary and a conclusion.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Unconsciousness of her state in marriage
2.1. submission to her husband
2.2 Ignoring his inadequacies
3. Edna’s new self awakens
3.1. Disobedience in marriage
3.2. Non-conformity to social norms
4. Living an independent life
4.1. Financial independence
4.2. Ownership of her life
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This work examines the psychological and social awakening of Edna Pontellier within the context of the 19th-century Victorian patriarchal society, focusing on her transition from submissive wife to an autonomous individual who challenges conventional norms.
- The constraints of traditional marriage on female identity.
- The internal conflict between social expectation and self-actualization.
- Edna's rebellion against domestic submissiveness and patriarchic structures.
- The struggle for financial and personal independence.
- The tragic consequences of pursuing non-conformity in a rigid society.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 submission to her husband
At all times, people are eager to follow what is highly valued and esteemed to the present time in their culture. They are naturally drawn to follow the masses because the society’s outlook on life is involuntarily adapted by the individuals living therein. Not to obey these codes would manifest itself in an exclusion from social life, as people naturally keep a distance to people whose behavior and views do not conform to the pattern of their form of living.
An ideal for women of the 19th century was to find a husband and be “the angel in the house,” supporting her husband with loving care and fulfilling her duties at home. So Edna too had to find her identity in her role as wife and mother. To that time though, marriage often did not meet the expectations one longed for when entering into this union with the opposite sex, but was rather externally imposed to improve one’s status in society. Edna did in part heed society’s requirement by giving herself to Léonce in marriage. This observance of the cultural code of her time though displayed a hidden rebellion, since she entered this marriage with Léonce, a Catholic, partly because of her father’s and sister’s strong disapproval.
“The acme of bliss, which would have been a marriage with the tragedian, was not for her in this world. As the devoted wife of a man who worshiped her, she felt she would take her place with a certain dignity in the world of reality, closing the portals forever behind her upon the realm of romance and dreams.”
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes the historical and social context of Victorian marriage and introduces the central research question regarding Edna Pontellier's awakening.
2. Unconsciousness of her state in marriage: This chapter explores the early phase of Edna’s marriage, defined by societal pressure and her initial adherence to the submissive role of a Victorian wife.
3. Edna’s new self awakens: The chapter details Edna's shift toward rebellion and her conscious decision to reject traditional gender roles and social norms.
4. Living an independent life: The focus here lies on Edna’s attempts to secure financial independence and personal autonomy, often leading to conflict with her husband and surrounding society.
5. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, characterizing Edna as a woman ahead of her time whose struggle for self-definition leads to an inevitable, tragic alienation from her patriarchal environment.
Keywords
Edna Pontellier, The Awakening, Kate Chopin, Victorian society, gender roles, marriage, female independence, self-actualization, patriarchy, non-conformity, feminism, alienation, identity, domestic sphere, social norms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this study?
This study analyzes the character development of Edna Pontellier in Kate Chopin’s novel "The Awakening" as she transitions from a submissive wife to an independent woman.
What are the central themes discussed?
The main themes include patriarchal constraints, the struggle for female autonomy, the conflict between individual desires and social expectations, and the nature of identity.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The goal is to examine the process of Edna's psychological and social awakening and to understand how she navigates the obstacles imposed by her marriage and society.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The analysis follows a literary-analytical approach, interpreting the text through a socio-historical lens regarding Victorian gender standards and individual development.
What does the main body cover?
The body covers the initial submissiveness in marriage, the internal shift toward rebellion, the attempt at achieving financial and personal independence, and the ultimate isolation resulting from her choices.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include patriarchy, female autonomy, self-actualization, Victorian social codes, and identity struggle.
How does Edna view her role as a mother and wife initially?
Initially, she conforms to societal expectations, viewing her role through the lens of a Victorian "angel in the house" who is expected to serve her husband and children.
What leads to the collapse of Edna's traditional marriage?
The collapse is driven by her growing awareness of her husband's treatment of her as property rather than an equal, and her subsequent refusal to conform to the limitations of her domestic life.
Why does the author conclude that Edna's death was "the only way out"?
The author argues that in the rigid patriarchal structure of the late 19th century, Edna's pursuit of complete self-definition left no room for integration, leading to irreconcilable conflict with her environment.
- Quote paper
- Susanne Wrobel (Author), 2012, "The Awakening" - Edna's awakening on her marriage, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/190405
