The Confinement Of Women In Society In Kate Chopin's The Awakening
analytical Essay
1322 words
Sophia Corriere
Ms. Corporan
English 11 HH
19 December, 2014
The Confinement of Women in Society in The Awakening Throughout history there have been strict guidelines placed on women. Women are supposed to remain in their domestic sphere, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of their children.
In The Awakening, Edna marries her husband Léonce out of practicality, she has come to the point in her life where a women is to get married. The strict guidelines placed on her by society push her into a loveless, idle marriage. Edna must now continue with this marriage forever, “idly, aimlessly, unthinking, and unguided”(Chopin 16). Kate Chopin’s The Awakening explores the oppression of women in a patriarchal society where women are constantly defeated. Throughout The Awakening, Edna faces oppression from her husband, children, and society. It is her duty, as a women, to get married and have children with her husband. Edna’s
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In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how léonce's oppression of edna exemplifies the constant abuse she suffers because she is a woman.
- Analyzes how charlotte perkins gilman's women in economics explains the changing status of women in society, from a mother to an intellectual.
- Analyzes how virginia woolf's a room of one’s own illustrates the difficulties of being a successful women writer in an industry dominated by male writers.
- Analyzes how gilman wrote why i wrote the yellow wallpaper, which also demonstrates the maltreatment of women.
- Analyzes how male-dominated society has abused and defeated women in the awakening, women in economics, a room of one’s own, and why i wrote the yellow wallpaper.
- Explains gilman's study of the economic relationship between men and women as a factor in social evolution.
- Analyzes how kate chopin's the awakening explores the oppression of women in a patriarchal society where women are constantly defeated.
While this stereotype might have once been true, it has now placed bounds on women which are difficult to escape. Male-dominated society has constantly abused and defeated women, which is shown in the works; The Awakening, Women in Economics, A Room of One’s Own, and Why I Wrote The Yellow Wallpaper. Women in Economics focuses on the vicious cycle of tradition which women are unable to escape. A Room of One’s Own states that women, who are of equal caliber to men, cannot compete against them in society and are consistently shut down. Why I Wrote the Yellow Wallpaper explains that male-dominated society purposely tries to stop women from succeeding. The Awakening connects to all three of these pieces in that Edna’s constant confinement from society and her husband, Léonce, results in her death. A women can not compete against patriarchy, all four sources exemplify that patriarchy always
Related
- analytical
- Breaking the Social Norms: Kate Chopin's The Awakeninganalytical essayIn the novella The Awakening by Kate Chopin, the main character Edna Pontellier “becomes profoundly alienated from traditional roles required by family, country, church, or other social institutions and is unable to reconcile the desire for connection with others with the need for self-expression” (Bogard). The novella takes place in the South during the 1800’s when societal views and appearances meant everything. There were numerous rules and expectations that must be upheld by both men and women, and for independent, stubborn, and curious women such as Edna, this made life challenging. Edna expressed thoughts and goals far beyond her time that made her question her role in life and struggle to identify herself, which caused her to break societal conventions, damage her relationships, and ultimately lose everything.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin's novella the awakening alienates the main character, edna pontellier, from traditional roles in family, country, church, or other social institutions.
- Analyzes how edna pontellier challenged cultural norms and broke societal expectations in an attempt to define herself.
- Analyzes how edna disobeyed the rules of society and her role as a mother. she idolized her children, worshiped her husbands, and was gratified by their absence.
- Analyzes how edna's independent nature and her disregard of societal rules caused her to lose many relationships — she broke creole social and religious customs in order to define herself.
- Analyzes edna's lack of friendships at the dinner she hosts to celebrate her moving. since she was going against conventions by moving out of her house without her husband, she did not receive as much support from her friends.
- Analyzes how edna broke social norms, causing her to lose her relationships, and ultimately lose everything she had. because of her actions and her refusal to meet expectations, she was left with nothing to live for.
- Analyzes how edna's odd relationship with her husband caused him to question her sanity and ultimately leave, never to return again in the novella.
- Analyzes how edna had to live for robert because she loved him so dearly, but he too abandoned her in the end.
- Analyzes how edna figured that the only choice for her was to commit suicide so that she could have some fragment of freedom, independence, and control.
- Analyzes how edna is left alone because no one understands her desire to redefine herself outside of traditional societal roles for women. she is defeated and returns to the womb-like embrace of the sea.
- Analyzes how edna pontellier ignored the guidelines for women in the 1800's and destroyed relationships. she broke social conventions, which damaged her reputation and relationships with her friends, husband, and children.
- Cites carley rees' book, "the awakening: a refusal to compromise." gale literature resource center.
1558 wordsRead More - The Awakeninganalytical essay“Edna began to feel like one who awakens gradually out of a dream, a delicious, grotesque, impossible dream, to feel again the realities oppressing into her soul.” (Pg. 42) In Kate Chopin’s novel The Awakening the constant boundaries and restrictions placed on Edna Pontellier by society will lead to her struggle for freedom and her ultimate suicide. Her husband Leonce Pontellier, the current women of society, and the Grand Isle make it evident that Edna is trapped in a patriarchal society.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin's novel the awakening makes it clear that edna pontellier is trapped in a patriarchal society.
- Analyzes how edna pontellier, a young creole wife and mother, feels unsatisfied with her marriage. leonce condemns her for neglecting their children.
- Analyzes how edna, unlike many women, does not worship her husband. she rips her wedding ring from her finger and throws it on the floor.
- Analyzes how edna's affections for her children depend on her mood, although her state of mind always makes clear that she loves them.
- Analyzes how the sea is where edna begins her search for freedom. she is unable to swim, despite practically everyone on the island giving her instruction.
- Analyzes how the sea urges edna to wander through life at her own pleasing.
- Analyzes how edna sought refuge in other men as an escape from her feelings of entrapment in her society. grand isle is the setting for a moment of self-discovery and liberation for her.
- Analyzes how edna withdraws from her husband while she continues to think of robert. art becomes the only form of expression that she can handle.
- Analyzes how chopin presents a character that seeks independence from society. edna pontellier represents the rebel in any person. the sea, robert lebrun, and mademoiselle reisz are her awakenings to the life that she wants and is living.
960 wordsRead More - The Awakening Feminismanalytical essayIn the novel The Awkening written by Kate Chopin, mother and wife, Edna is freeing herself of her husband, Leonce only to become dependant on another man,Robert.Edna has a difficult time being on her own and does not appreciate how much her husband loves and cares for her.Instead she feels that independance comes from not fullfilling the responsibilities of being a mother and being unfaithful to her husband.These are not the qualities of a feminist but rather of a selfish person.The Awakening is not the best example of a feminist novel because it does not truly showcase a woman’s independance.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin's novel the awkening does not showcase a woman’s independance.
- Compares the awakening's portrayal of a woman who is independant,hardworking, and shows her value to be equal to the man. adele ratignolle is the perfect wife and mother.
- Analyzes how adele begs robert to accompany her to the house, implying that women are weak and constantly depend on men to assist them.
- Analyzes how edna's life revolves around being with a man. she relies on men for her emotional and financial needs.
- Analyzes how kate chopin's the awakening: a critical recpetion states "critics invariably agreed that the actions of edna were iniquitous."
- Explains that edna is not an indepeandant woman therefore the awakening isn't a feminist novel. she wrongfully believed that independance was the product of abandoning her resposibilities and using those around her.
568 wordsRead More - What It Means To Be A Woman in The Awakening by Kate Chopinanalytical essayWomen determine their success through a variety of factors, such as their kids, their friends, their career, and their state of living. Many women want to be independent and self-sufficient, while others want to be a homemaker and stay at home with their family. In the novel, The Awakening, the women, who are treated as inferior creatures and as the property of men, focus on their personal and social lives, rather than their professional lives. However, Edna wants to break the societal ideals that determine what a woman does, and she desires to be free to do what she wants, rather than what society wants of her. First, she must break free of her barriers such as the society and her husband.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how women determine their success through a variety of factors, such as their kids, friends, career, and their state of living. in the awakening, the women are treated as inferior creatures and as the property of men.
- Analyzes how léonce, along with the other men in the creole society, think of edna, his wife, as a piece of property rather than his significant other.
- Analyzes how madame ratignolle was the ideal woman in the creole society, as she embraced the role society had given her.
- Explains that while edna is comfortable in her life as wife to léonce and mother to raoul and etienne, she feels that she is not happy with the life she leads.
- Analyzes how edna's rebellion in this role occurs in her care for the children.
- Analyzes how edna's pigeon house symbolizes her freedom to do what she desires, rather than being under her husband’s eye when he is home.
1252 wordsRead More - Emotional Expectations For Women In Kate Chopin's The Awakeninganalytical essayKate Chopin’s The Awakening is a story about a well to do young woman, Edna Pontellier, who lives with her family in Louisiana during the late 1890’s. Set in a variety of scenes, it follows Edna as she engages on a personal journey of increasing autonomy, continually seeking both greater happiness and greater personal independence in the hope of leading a more meaningful and fulfilling life. In so doing, the novel portrays societal expectations for women in the post-war South during the late 1800’s, and shows the difficulties they faced if they refused to conform. The place of women in society can be seen in the way that the women in the novel act and speak, particularly in regards to their husbands and children, but also to others in general.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin's the awakening portrays societal expectations for women in the post-war south during the late 1800’s.
- Analyzes how edna's refusal to marry her sister janet causes her to quarrel with her father, who reproaches her for her lack of filial kindness and respect. she violates the unwritten but widely understood ethos of postbellum, southern womanhood
- Analyzes how the novel portrays women as being under a duty to be active in social life and all of its attendant functions.
- Analyzes how edna tells mademoiselle ratignolle that she would not sacrifice herself for her children, sparking a heated argument.
- Opines that the most significant duty of women in the novel is the requirement to be loyal, obedient wives who obey their husbands and prioritize their happiness.
- Narrates how edna pontellier's sudden disregard for her duties as a wife shocked him and angered him.
- Analyzes how edna's lack of tacit submissiveness bewilders, shocks, and angers him, causing him to upbraid her for failure to act as expected. sarah bommarito commented on the role of women at the time.
- Analyzes how edna responds to this by engaging in willful rebellion, asserting her own desires over and against the expectations that others – both individually (i.e., léonce) and collectively (society as a whole) have for her.
- Analyzes how edna's response begins after hearing mademoiselle reisz play the piano, and then intensifies as she learns to swim, which causes her to undergo an emotional awakening — hence the title.
- Analyzes edna's desire for greater personal autonomy and emotional gratification as the novel progresses.
- Analyzes how edna's relationship with robert lebrun serves as the underlying force in her experience, both at the beginning and throughout.
1994 wordsRead More - A Woman's Fight for Independence in The Awakening Right from the beginning the plot is almost conveniently evident. You find a woman, Edna Pontellier, tired of living her life as a pampered and "owned" wife and mother. She is searching for much more in her life, some sort of meaning for her whole existence. She searches for a long time but in the end, the inevitability of her life's pattern and direction wraps around her, suffocating her. She is overcome with wonder, confusion, and guilt for what she believes and what she does to express her beliefs.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how edna pontellier is tired of living her life as a pampered and "owned" wife and mother. she is overcome with wonder, confusion, and guilt for what she believes.
- Analyzes how edna is fighting against the unwritten rule that a woman should marry, have children, and be happy and content with that as their life.
- Analyzes how edna has an independent, self-centered nature about her. her need for an uncontrolled lifestyle leaves her feeling "owned" and wanting to break that label. she cancels her tuesday socials and helps around the house doing little chores.
- Analyzes how edna pontellier's love for robert lebrun was her biggest obstacle to overcome. she wanted to be with him and love him without giving up her independence.
- Analyzes how edna is an admirable character who fought for independence against a social world that showed no mercy. her struggle and fight in the plot is inspirational and makes one realize just lucky they are to be able to speak their minds.
835 wordsRead More - Implications Of Sexism In Kate Chopin's The Awakeninganalytical essayEdna Pontellier’s character in The Awakening has been the source of the novel’s controversial assessment by critics since it’s publication in 1899. The author, Kate Chopin, officially began writing in 1885 and composed novels that challenged the many conflicting social standards in that time period. The late 1800s, predominantly known for the Industrial Revolution, served as a beacon of opportunity for women during this era. Chopin wrote The Awakening to be used as an instrument to eradicate the accepted impression of gender roles in society: women are more than submissive tools to their oppressive counterparts in this masculine dominated world. Chopin’s ideology originated from the lessons and wisdom of her great-grandmother who encouraged her to read unconventional concepts: women were capable of obtaining and maintaining a successful career as well as a thriving family and social life. Although The Awakening was widely banned and condemned in national presses, critics cannot deny the underlying theme of sexism and its effect on gender roles. Some critics even suggest there is a distinct correlation between Edna’s character and Chopin herself. According to critics, Kate Chopin encumbers The Awakening with incidents of a single woman's hunger for personal and sexual identity as a mechanism to display Edna Pontellier’s deviations from societal standards.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin wrote the awakening to eradicate the accepted impression of gender roles in society.
- Analyzes how chopin accounts the love between the women in the novel which has been suppressed throughout history as "lesbian" encounters in order to uphold male power and privilege.
- Analyzes how chopin's gentle, sarcastic tone when describing the "mother-women" anticipates the defining characteristics of "woman."
- Analyzes how chopin's descriptions of edna’s character, person, and physical presence suggest a desire to portray the character as one that is transcending traditional gender descriptions.
- Analyzes how the symbol of resistance to patriarchy, gender specificity, and enforced heterosexuality transcends expect gender roles in the awakening.
- Analyzes how chopin provided insight for the future generations through the evidence of the effect of gender roles and the process of finding one's self through their individual "awakening"
1090 wordsRead More - Female Roles In Kate Chopin's The Awakeninganalytical essay“The Awakening” is a courageous piece of literature work that demonstrates how civilization forced tremendously elevated expectancies for females and their hypothetical roles. Kate Chopin uses this novel to bring those “expected roles” to light. Edith Wharton also shows how this epidemic has restricted and impaired two of the protagonist in her story “Roman Fever”. During the time period that this book was written, in the early nineteenth century, this epidemic of forcing roles on women was widespread, and this altered the lives of these women in an abysmal way incessantly.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin's "the awakening" demonstrates how civilization forced tremendously elevated expectancies for females and their hypothetical roles. edith wharton shows how this epidemic has restricted and impaired two of the protagonists in "roman fever".
- Explains that edna pontellier lived in a society that imposed strict roles and had high expectations on women. the "women sphere" refers to palpable objects that we associate with conventional and domestic standards.
- Explains that edna was expected by her husband to perform an uncountable number of roles, including being the faultless communal entertainer, prodigious wife and affectionate mother all at once. after refusing to follow the "rules", she moved to her own house.
- Analyzes how edith wharton's "roman fever" was based in rome, but the characters are from old new york' s muffled victorian society. grace ansley and alida slade were raised in manhattan.
- Compares alida and grace, who are inordinate friends, but have abundant personality traits that set them apart.
- Analyzes how wharton chose rome as a perfect habitation for this location. as these girls are belligerent over their generational differences, roman gladiators did the same thing many years ago.
- Analyzes how edith wharton and kate chopin brought social roles that were forced upon women to light. both "the awakening" and "roman fever" ended with one of the foremost protagonists dying due to the communal rules and expectations.
545 wordsRead More - A Paper From Ourselvesanalytical essayThe world of both of these women was not easy, as rules, regulations and ‘harmless’ advice from friends, family and strangers were always imposed upon their lives. During the entirety of the 19th century, social norms for women were exceptionally strict; to a point where a woman was chastised for simply walking along the street without a male companion to guard her chastity. The sole job of women was to raise ‘virtuous sons’ for the good of society, while completely abandoning their appetite for the simple pleasures of life. In The Awakening, Adele’s continuous pregnancies rapidly establish her among society as the ‘perfect woman,’ not because of her personality or virtues, but rather because she devotes her body and soul to attending and creating children. In various ways, Adele proves to be a monotonous character whose continuous attendance to her children leave no time for her personal desires, something which Edna is very conscious of. Edna in contrast...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin's the awakening and zora neale hurston’s their eyes were watching god illustrate the joy, sorrow, and innate desires of women.
- Analyzes how adele's constant pregnancies establish her among society as the perfect woman, not because of her personality or virtues, but because she devotes her body and soul to attending and creating children.
- Analyzes how edna's husband wished to fulfill his needs, while others saw it as a brutal display of power. men flirting at women was flattering and socially acceptable; advances from women towards men were demeaning and inappropriate.
- Compares edna and janie's awakenings, stating that it is never a sin to place your needs and desires above those around you.
- Analyzes how edna and janie's decisions and actions impact the outcome of the novels.
882 wordsRead More - The Role Of Women In The Awakening By Kate Chopinanalytical essayIn The Awakening by Kate Chopin, we are able to see a different view of society in the 1890’s.The book relates to the romantic era of the time, which in the book is shown through Edna Pontellier. The role of the women is questioned because of the action of Edna Pontellier and her worldview is different than the average women in the 1890’s. Kate Chopin compares to a sense, Edna and her friend Adèle Ratignolle as the ‘average’ women. The main topics of the romantic era, which shape her worldview is shown throughout the book is nature, rebellion and escape as shown in the lecture by Dr. Szabo.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kate chopin's the awakening relates to the romantic era of the time, which is shown through edna pontellier.
- Analyzes how edna pontellier struggles to fit herself into the norm society that she is in, by being a housewife, watching the children, and taking care of her husband.
- Analyzes how edna's new found emotions led her to think more about herself, than anyone else, in the romantic era.
- Analyzes how edna was trying to escape the reality of a woman in the 1980s.
1093 wordsRead More