The Role Of Feminism In The Awakening

The Awakening Feminism is one of the broadest and most arguable critical lenses. Edna, along with other female characters, demonstrate the aspects of feminism and the expected way of living in a world controlled by men in The Awakening by Kate Chopin. There are a variety of symbols in this text that demonstrate the struggles of the female characters. Throughout the text, the characters also grow tremendously which is shown in various ways. This included Edna trying to rebel against what was expected of women and becoming her own person. The Awakening even holds the explanation of the use of feminism and independence in its own title. The first symbol that is clearly shown in this text was a bird. Within the very first paragraph, the narrator …show more content…
Women were compared to the Virgin Mother, which was almost an impossible expectation. It was expected of women to be a perfect and caring mother but also listen to what they were told to do and be pure. Adele Ratignolle was used as a prime example during her and Edna’s conversation in the park. The narrator showed how Adele was completely and utterly devoted to her children, but was clueless about her own independence and thoughts. Adele was portrayed as the “perfect woman”, but in reality had no thought in making decisions for herself. Even the young Farival twins were used to demonstrate how women should be pure. This was shown when it was stated that the twins were always dressed “in the Virgin’s colors, blue and white having been dedicated to the Blessed Virgin at their baptism”(Chopin 23). When these girls grow up they are undoubtedly expected to represent the Virgin Mother as best as they can. This also shows how Edna is nothing like these women. Edna makes that very clear when she tells Adele that she would give everything but herself to her children. Edna also proves this when she decides to move out and gain her independence because of her feelings of entrapment to her husband and