Edna Pontellier In Kate Chopin's The Awakening

In the novel, The Awakening by Kate Chopin, Edna Pontellier, also known as Mrs. Pontellier, is torn between two totally different worlds. Thus, leading to the development of her character, relationships, and conflicts she is involved in throughout the novel. Edna is bound by the gender roles of the 18th century. She constantly fights between reality and what she wants to do with her own life. In the novel, The Awakening, Kate Chopin creates conflict throughout the novel by illuminating Edna’s conflicting obligations, desires, and ambitions. In the novel, the author displays Ms. Pontellier as an unfit mother and wife. She decides early in the novel that she refuses to fit into any of society’s obligations or expectations as a female, mother, …show more content…
She hates that she has to hurt her family, but she does not want to let herself die inside. Society’s definition of what a mother and wife should do is not what she wants to be tied down doing her entire life, she wants no part of the domestic life. On page 113 Ms. Pontellier says, “… There are some periods of despondency and suffering which take possession of me. But I don’t want anything but my own way. That is wanting a good deal, of course, when you have to trample upon the lives, the hearts, the prejudices of others—but no matter—still, I shouldn’t want to trample upon the little lives.” This quote is significant because the authors use of diction allows the reader to feel Mrs. Pontellier’s pain. It also expresses her desires, but at the same time reveals why she feels like she cannot be who she wants to be. Her children’s love, the feelings of others, and society’s perception of her are milestones that she must go through just to be free. Mrs. Pontellier shows that freedom is everything to her and if she cannot obtain what she so desperately desires then in turn, no one will be carefree and …show more content…
Pontellier’s desires. Mrs. Pontellier’s desires and obligations tremendously affected how society viewed her not only as a woman but also as a mother. The author used the two conflicting forces in Edna Pontellier’s life to create her ambitious and unique character. Early in the novel, the author characterizes Mrs. Pontellier and her character never seems to shift, although she does become more open about her desires and feelings throughout the novel. Mrs. Pontellier is a major character in the novel because of her rebellious character. Kate Chopin uses Mrs. Pontellier to convey the message of women being controlled by marriage and