Famous Russian author and poet, Boris Pasternak once said, “Literature is the art of discovering something extraordinary about ordinary people, and saying with ordinary words something extraordinary” (Literature Quotes). In other words, literature is an important art form in which something average can become much more. This is completely accurate in the case of classic literature, especially the novel, The Awakening, written by 19th Century feminist writer, Kate Chopin. Classic literature is important in this aspect, as it spreads new ideas and themes like Chopin’s, which without literature would not reach everyday people. Chopin’s opinions of liberation, feminism and Marxism were revolutionary during a time when women’s roles in society
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She yearns to be liberated from traditional woman’s roles and become the independent person she dreams of being, much to the dismay of her close family and friends. Critics of the novel state, “The "awakening" that Edna experiences is the awakening of her true self – her real humanity that had lain dormant under a socialized exterior” (The Awakening). This proves Edna’s struggle during the plot of the novel is a struggle with herself to be an individual, despite outside social pressures holding her back. Edna’s need to be her own person is also demonstrated through the many scandalous events that surround her, including adultery, despite her marriage. This was absolutely unheard of and shunned among women of the time period. Edna’s love of painting was also shunned, as it was thought to be a distraction from her motherly duties. The Awakening revolves around Edna’s search for individuality and liberation from the common perception of a …show more content…
Edna belonged to a wealthy family in Louisiana during the Victorian Era, and this gave them a very high place on the social ladder. Their spot could only be maintained if social customs were followed with no opposition. This is shown when Edna’s close friend, Adele, warns Robert to end his pursuit of Edna, for she is married. “If your attentions to any married women here were ever offered with any intention of being convincing, you would not be the gentleman we all know you to be, and you would be unfit to associate with the wives and daughters of the people who trust you” (Chopin 65). This explains the repercussions Robert would face from society, as well as Edna. Her challenges to society could very easily have lost her family’s respect and place at the top of the community, and this shows how harsh social pressures were for Edna to remain in her motherly role. Society’s power to repress Edna further fueled her desire for personal
She yearns to be liberated from traditional woman’s roles and become the independent person she dreams of being, much to the dismay of her close family and friends. Critics of the novel state, “The "awakening" that Edna experiences is the awakening of her true self – her real humanity that had lain dormant under a socialized exterior” (The Awakening). This proves Edna’s struggle during the plot of the novel is a struggle with herself to be an individual, despite outside social pressures holding her back. Edna’s need to be her own person is also demonstrated through the many scandalous events that surround her, including adultery, despite her marriage. This was absolutely unheard of and shunned among women of the time period. Edna’s love of painting was also shunned, as it was thought to be a distraction from her motherly duties. The Awakening revolves around Edna’s search for individuality and liberation from the common perception of a …show more content…
Edna belonged to a wealthy family in Louisiana during the Victorian Era, and this gave them a very high place on the social ladder. Their spot could only be maintained if social customs were followed with no opposition. This is shown when Edna’s close friend, Adele, warns Robert to end his pursuit of Edna, for she is married. “If your attentions to any married women here were ever offered with any intention of being convincing, you would not be the gentleman we all know you to be, and you would be unfit to associate with the wives and daughters of the people who trust you” (Chopin 65). This explains the repercussions Robert would face from society, as well as Edna. Her challenges to society could very easily have lost her family’s respect and place at the top of the community, and this shows how harsh social pressures were for Edna to remain in her motherly role. Society’s power to repress Edna further fueled her desire for personal