In Kate Chopin’s story, The Awakening, Edna Pontellier discovers that she is not content following the rules of society from her interactions with those around her. Specifically, her sexual relations with Alcee Arobin bring Edna to the realization that she wants more in life than the pre-destined American wife and motherhood. Arobin is a fundamental character because he is looked down upon by society and does not care, something Edna soon realizes she wants to do as well. Arobin is known as a womanizer, specifically preying on married women, specifically Edna, who loves the feelings she gets when she is around him. Alcee functions as a symbol for Edna’s voluntary choice to no longer abide by societal rules.
Alcee is mentioned many times before he first officially starts conversing with Edna, building up his reputation, so the reader can understand that Edna knows exactly what she's getting herself into. After Mr. Pontellier expresses his concerns to the Doctor about Edna (that she is not taking care of her children or doing her wifely duties), the Doctor wanted to ask “is there any man in the case? (112), but did not want to create unnecessary fright. Yet when the Doctor leaves …show more content…
He helps her to further her seperation from society as she no longer cares that she is married, and awakens a lust in her that she knows she cannot deny. He helps her see that she does not deserve to be forced to deny her desires, nor does any woman. Their relationship was not one of love, solely of passion, but that was all Edna needed. Through her relationship with Alcee Arobin, Edna finally understands the unfair role woman in society have been forced to play--they are told they are only there to please their husbands and must ignore their own wishes. This helps lead to her suicide when she realizes a world like this is not worth living in. Without Arobin, Edna’s sexual passion may never have been
Alcee is mentioned many times before he first officially starts conversing with Edna, building up his reputation, so the reader can understand that Edna knows exactly what she's getting herself into. After Mr. Pontellier expresses his concerns to the Doctor about Edna (that she is not taking care of her children or doing her wifely duties), the Doctor wanted to ask “is there any man in the case? (112), but did not want to create unnecessary fright. Yet when the Doctor leaves …show more content…
He helps her to further her seperation from society as she no longer cares that she is married, and awakens a lust in her that she knows she cannot deny. He helps her see that she does not deserve to be forced to deny her desires, nor does any woman. Their relationship was not one of love, solely of passion, but that was all Edna needed. Through her relationship with Alcee Arobin, Edna finally understands the unfair role woman in society have been forced to play--they are told they are only there to please their husbands and must ignore their own wishes. This helps lead to her suicide when she realizes a world like this is not worth living in. Without Arobin, Edna’s sexual passion may never have been