Society In Frank Wedekind's The Spring Awakening

The future success of any society is largely dependent on the success of its youth. During the Wilhelmine period in Germany, the Bourgeois family represented the idealized family structure to rear the next generation towards success. Within it, the typical roles were delegated to each gender. The husband was responsible for the financial welfare of the family, while the wife handled all household affairs. Children were raised very conservatively, and were placed under high pressure to succeed. The Spring Awakening, by Frank Wedekind, exposes the flaws in this style of society by revealing the burdens children experience when raised under the societal attitudes of this time period. The community is portrayed in the play as being more concerned …show more content…
Women in this society are meant to raise children and deal with all household affairs. They are under tremendous pressure to be a great marriage candidate in order to socially advance. This is epitomized by the character Martha, who is viciously abused by her parents for doing anything unladylike. When Wendla suggests cutting Martha’s hair, Martha responds, saying “For heaven's sake, Wendla! Papa would beat me black and blue, and Mamma would lock me up in the coal hole for three nights.” (Wedekind). In contrast, Wendla’s family is loving and want her to be happy within the confines of their society. Nevertheless, Wendla has no confidant in her life that can answer her questions and guide her. Her mother, restricted by the Bourgeois way of thinking, refuses to answer any of Wendla’s questions regarding sexuality because it was considered taboo by society. Consequently, Wendla’s ignorance about sexuality possibly led to her rape and subsequent pregnancy and death. Wendla’s death is a result of her mother attempting to protect her from becoming a societal outcast. As a bright and well regarded child, Wendla becoming pregnant would become a scandal that would ruin their family’s image in the eyes of society. As a woman, Wendla was under great pressure to be a desirable marriage partner in order to join an elite family. Proceeding with the pregnancy would ruin Wendla’s future, as she would consequently become an undesirable marriage partner. Wendla’s mother considered no other pathway forward for Wendla because their society offered no other acceptable way forward. Partaking in a questionable abortion was viewed as a better choice than guiding Wendla through a path that clashed with societal norms. Ultimately, Wendla’s death is a result of her mother trying to prevent her from going against Bourgeois societal idealizations.