How Does Edna Pontellier's Role Change

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Recommended: Analysis of Kate Chopin's societal view in the novel awakening

Mac Shaughnessy
Mrs. Schroder
AP Literature
January 2, 2017
The Awakening Essay In the novel, The Awakening by Kate Chopin, many characters are able to influence the protagonist of the novel, Edna Pontellier, through their views on life, culture, class, gender and creed. Social values in the book were very progressive for the time when the novel was initially released, giving a sort of scandalous vibe to readers. With this, Kate Chopin was able to have a wide range of characters from the average, respectable housewife, Adèle Ratignolle, to the free-spirited, frowned-upon single women, Mademoiselle Reisz. The range of characters presented align with just how much Edna changed during the novel. Men also have a big role at pushing Edna along the path to independence. Léonce Pontellier, Edna’s husband, is the classic husband and father figure for the time working all day and relaxing at night, not paying Edna much attention. On the other hand, Robert Lebrun is just a fling but later falls in love with Edna and tries spending long periods of time with her. Edna’s other male …show more content…

He was known for chasing after women who were married and she was leading herself into falling for him. At this point, she was almost trying to escape her husband not because he was bad, but because she could no longer look at herself with him. This relationship then leads to Edna purchasing a home and becoming financially separated from her husband. While her husband did not do to much to help his wife and have her stay, he respected her choice even though he did not understand it or what she was going through. All of this came to a head during Edna’s time with Alcée leading readers to think that his lavish lifestyle may corrupt people at their core. Making some question if her actions with him lead to her actions in the closing moments of the

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