Lack Of Control In Kate Chopin's The Awakening

Some may call the female sex crazy, deranged, or “out of control” but have they ever considered the amount of control women are deprived of? Throughout women’s history, the lack of ability to control one's own decisions and growth was widespread across the Nation. In The Awakening, Edna Pontellier becomes a more conscious woman by challenging her inability to gain control of her life. One of the biggest influences on Edna’s life is the society she lives in. In the nineteenth century, restrictions set on women by society were even more influenceable than it is today. By social standards, women are expected to be married before 30, have many children, stay at home, cook, and obey their husbands. The fact that Edna defies all these expectations by leaving her husband, children, and running off with Robert proves her gain of control and disassociation from society. While Edna was enjoying the fruits of her new found power, those around her were astonished and even a bit intimidated by her actions. Even her husband reported her to the doctor claiming she was ill in an attempt to regain his own control over her. This created an oxymoron in the story because, in fact, Edna was not ill but rather growing …show more content…
Though Edna was able to regain control in certain aspects of her life, she was still extremely limited by society. These limitations were too much for Edna to cohere to so she made the fateful decision to take her own life. Because of pieces like The Awakening, women have more self-confidence and control over their own lives now than ever before. Nevertheless, today’s society is still controlling and restricting women of their full potential. If the modern woman could have the same courage and strength Edna had, she’d be awakened to a new world of freedom and