Amidst the late nineteenth century, books that touched upon topics including feminism and love were deemed controversial, as they defied the social standards of the patriarchal society. Despite this, many authors continued to publish novels encircling contentious affairs. Two of the most greatly recognized authors of the late nineteenth century, Kate Chopin and Willa Cather, wrote graciously about these issues, accentuating the need for such subjects to be considered. Together, The Awakening and My Ántonia unveil the problems revolving around society in the late 1880s. Written by Kate Chopin and Willa Cather respectively, both novels illustrate the impacts of being confined to society’s standards through a multitude of symbolism. Both novels
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Edna struggles to comprehend the defined gender roles in society and to cope with such ideologies of the Victorian era, setting her apart from everyone else. Léonce signifies the average man’s attitude of the late nineteenth century, believing that “if it was not a mother’s place to look after children, whose on earth was it?” (Chopin 7). Léonce, by default, believes that is Edna’s innate role to care for the children, never pondering once that it should be men’s responsibility. This chain that Edna lives under bounds her to the roles of society, and Edna despises the mere fact of giving up her life’s potentials for her children. With the progression of the novel, gender roles become more prominent as Léonce visits Doctor Mandelet, a family physician and comrade, to ask of ailments for Edna. When Léonce describes Edna’s behavior, he describes it as if he owns her personality, having the authority to control how she thinks. Doctor Mandelet furthers this way of thinking as he tells Léonce that “woman, my dear friend, is a very peculiar and delicate organism—a sensitive and highly organized woman, such as I know Mrs. Pontellier to be, is especially peculiar. It would require an inspired psychologist to deal successfully with them” (Chopin 87). Even a doctor of high scholar speaks of women as if they are creatures of inferior status. Instead of referring to women as humans, the doctor uses “organism” to denote women as a peculiar and deficient species. Doctor Mandelet leaves Léonce advising him to let Edna do whatever she desires. As Léonce withdraws his authority, Edna begins to make more decisions upon her own beliefs, allowing her emancipation from her husband’s grasp. When speaking to Robert, Edna asserts that she is “no longer one of Mr. Pontellier’s possessions to
Edna struggles to comprehend the defined gender roles in society and to cope with such ideologies of the Victorian era, setting her apart from everyone else. Léonce signifies the average man’s attitude of the late nineteenth century, believing that “if it was not a mother’s place to look after children, whose on earth was it?” (Chopin 7). Léonce, by default, believes that is Edna’s innate role to care for the children, never pondering once that it should be men’s responsibility. This chain that Edna lives under bounds her to the roles of society, and Edna despises the mere fact of giving up her life’s potentials for her children. With the progression of the novel, gender roles become more prominent as Léonce visits Doctor Mandelet, a family physician and comrade, to ask of ailments for Edna. When Léonce describes Edna’s behavior, he describes it as if he owns her personality, having the authority to control how she thinks. Doctor Mandelet furthers this way of thinking as he tells Léonce that “woman, my dear friend, is a very peculiar and delicate organism—a sensitive and highly organized woman, such as I know Mrs. Pontellier to be, is especially peculiar. It would require an inspired psychologist to deal successfully with them” (Chopin 87). Even a doctor of high scholar speaks of women as if they are creatures of inferior status. Instead of referring to women as humans, the doctor uses “organism” to denote women as a peculiar and deficient species. Doctor Mandelet leaves Léonce advising him to let Edna do whatever she desires. As Léonce withdraws his authority, Edna begins to make more decisions upon her own beliefs, allowing her emancipation from her husband’s grasp. When speaking to Robert, Edna asserts that she is “no longer one of Mr. Pontellier’s possessions to