Kate Chopin’s novel The Awakening is primarily about the limitations and struggles of women in the 1800’s, however; it seems conceivable that Edna suffered from psychological issues (Ryan). She had the same limitations and struggles that all women had at the time, but her coping skills seem to be debilitated. It is common knowledge that early childhood experiences shape adult lives. Considering that Edna lost her mother at an early age and was raised solely by a cold and strict father, her childhood was lacking love and attachment. Chopin uses a limited, third person narration to provide insight into Edna’s mental state. The trauma from Edna’s childhood carries over into adulthood resulting in depression, selfishness, and hopelessness. Depression
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The majority of her thoughts and actions revolve around herself with minimal consideration of the feelings of her family or friends. Chopin wrote this novel before Freud’s studies on psychology, however; Fraud would have noted the effects of the unconscious mind and its ability to prompt human behavior. (Taylor) Be that as it may, Edna presumably did not know how to be a good mother since she had never been mothered herself. Consequently, it is not surprising that she gives her children little thought and care. “Edna’s reaching out to others is either brief and transitory (as with Adele and the children) or colored by a selfish motive (as with Robert)” (Ringe) Edna has no problem letting her mother in law take the children for an extended time. As a matter of fact, she likes being alone. Her few happy or content moments are when she is relieved of her duties as wife and mother. Even in Edna’s intimate relationships she is only willing or capable of giving a portion of herself. She is having a sexual affair with Arobin and admits after sleeping with him, “there was a dull pang of regret because it was not the kiss of love.” (Chopin 69). She admits that she does not have feelings for him. Later in the novel she says that she loves Robert, but she only wants him on her terms. Selfishly, she is unwilling to consider his terms. Apparently, Edna is incapable of true love. Moreover, in every relationship she is essentially
The majority of her thoughts and actions revolve around herself with minimal consideration of the feelings of her family or friends. Chopin wrote this novel before Freud’s studies on psychology, however; Fraud would have noted the effects of the unconscious mind and its ability to prompt human behavior. (Taylor) Be that as it may, Edna presumably did not know how to be a good mother since she had never been mothered herself. Consequently, it is not surprising that she gives her children little thought and care. “Edna’s reaching out to others is either brief and transitory (as with Adele and the children) or colored by a selfish motive (as with Robert)” (Ringe) Edna has no problem letting her mother in law take the children for an extended time. As a matter of fact, she likes being alone. Her few happy or content moments are when she is relieved of her duties as wife and mother. Even in Edna’s intimate relationships she is only willing or capable of giving a portion of herself. She is having a sexual affair with Arobin and admits after sleeping with him, “there was a dull pang of regret because it was not the kiss of love.” (Chopin 69). She admits that she does not have feelings for him. Later in the novel she says that she loves Robert, but she only wants him on her terms. Selfishly, she is unwilling to consider his terms. Apparently, Edna is incapable of true love. Moreover, in every relationship she is essentially