Though The Awakening may not be a book that all audiences enjoy, it’s merit as a work of literature cannot be denied. It has underlying motifs and ideas that Chopin brings into fruition through a variety of well-developed techniques, making The Awakening not only a book worthy of merit but being taught. Her book challenged pre-existing societal norms not only in 1900’s America, but still does today across cultural barriers with its controversial theme on challenging gender roles and feminism. It contains valuable ideas and raises thought-provoking questions that high school students should be exposed to.
One measure of a book’s merit is its impact on society, and The Awakening did more than just cause a stir.The plot of a woman’s sexual awakening …show more content…
It’s central theme of feminism is still widely discussed, as most women of the world still live in majorly patriarchal societies. In modern America, there has been much progression, however sexism is still alive. Women still face constrictions because of their gender, one specific example being the stigma behind female sexual desire. Men have long been almost expected to have a constant sex drive, while the idea of women’s lust is still considered vulgar to many. Women are still constrained in this one area, often being rebuked and berated by society if they are sexually active. The Awakening gave a very raw and intimate view of the desires of Enda, illustrating that women also have sexual cravings, relating to the women of this time period also. When Edna first experienced these foreign feelings for Robert, she was “...troubled and feverish...” (32).The diction makes it clear that lust is not a familiar nor welcomed feeling, as Edna actually feels ill. These desires are something that solely men are expected to feel, in consequence she has little idea what they are and how to control them. However, soon these feelings deepen, and by the end of the novel she engages in two extramarital affairs. Adultery in no context should be condoned, however, to Edna her marriage is a constriction. Her own home is to her like “..some
One measure of a book’s merit is its impact on society, and The Awakening did more than just cause a stir.The plot of a woman’s sexual awakening …show more content…
It’s central theme of feminism is still widely discussed, as most women of the world still live in majorly patriarchal societies. In modern America, there has been much progression, however sexism is still alive. Women still face constrictions because of their gender, one specific example being the stigma behind female sexual desire. Men have long been almost expected to have a constant sex drive, while the idea of women’s lust is still considered vulgar to many. Women are still constrained in this one area, often being rebuked and berated by society if they are sexually active. The Awakening gave a very raw and intimate view of the desires of Enda, illustrating that women also have sexual cravings, relating to the women of this time period also. When Edna first experienced these foreign feelings for Robert, she was “...troubled and feverish...” (32).The diction makes it clear that lust is not a familiar nor welcomed feeling, as Edna actually feels ill. These desires are something that solely men are expected to feel, in consequence she has little idea what they are and how to control them. However, soon these feelings deepen, and by the end of the novel she engages in two extramarital affairs. Adultery in no context should be condoned, however, to Edna her marriage is a constriction. Her own home is to her like “..some