Kate Chopin was an American author who wrote two published novels and several short stories in the 1980s. She was known to writes about the lives of women who strive to be different and distinguish themselves from the rest in order to find peace. Women in the nineteenth century and even in today’s society are condemned when they attempt to go against the grain. Throughout the years most societies are thought to be patriarchal meaning “any culture that privileges men by promoting gender roles” (Tyson 83). In patriarchal societies men have the upper hand and usually have control over women, Kate Chopin can be seen as a feminist, “one who wants to establish and achieve equal political, economic, cultural, and social right.” Although she may have
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However, Leonce is the embodiment of the patriarchal society. His social status as patriarch is recognized at the very beginning. The narrator clearly sympathizes with Edna, scorning Leonce’s attitude. In his position as the man of the house Leonce considers Edna as “a valuable piece of property” who has to represent his status. Through his behavior he initiates the mood which begins that start of Edna Pontellier awakening. As the novel continues it becomes clear that neither wife nor husband love the each other anymore. “Her marriage to Leonce Pontellier was purely an accident” and because her defiance against her father she has to live with that mistake and face consequences. It is also obvious that Leonce is a man who needs and follows the male dominant norms. He does not, for example really interact or play with his sons, Etienne and Raoul. For Leonce his children seem to be yet another status symbol, but still “he loved them very much.” This reflects the patriarchal society set up between working and raising children – children belonged to the women and Enda not being very much of a mother creates a problem for Leonce which is why he repeatedly reminds Edna of her social duties and her responsibility to her children. On the outside she is the obedient wife, having given birth to two sons. But on the inside she does not personify the perfect Creole woman
However, Leonce is the embodiment of the patriarchal society. His social status as patriarch is recognized at the very beginning. The narrator clearly sympathizes with Edna, scorning Leonce’s attitude. In his position as the man of the house Leonce considers Edna as “a valuable piece of property” who has to represent his status. Through his behavior he initiates the mood which begins that start of Edna Pontellier awakening. As the novel continues it becomes clear that neither wife nor husband love the each other anymore. “Her marriage to Leonce Pontellier was purely an accident” and because her defiance against her father she has to live with that mistake and face consequences. It is also obvious that Leonce is a man who needs and follows the male dominant norms. He does not, for example really interact or play with his sons, Etienne and Raoul. For Leonce his children seem to be yet another status symbol, but still “he loved them very much.” This reflects the patriarchal society set up between working and raising children – children belonged to the women and Enda not being very much of a mother creates a problem for Leonce which is why he repeatedly reminds Edna of her social duties and her responsibility to her children. On the outside she is the obedient wife, having given birth to two sons. But on the inside she does not personify the perfect Creole woman