Unhappy Marriages In The Awakening

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Unhappy marriages within the novels are a common and unideal situation yet; because of their social classes they are often unable or unwilling to leave without judgment. This, coupled with a desire to be intimate with someone different or a newfound sexual appetite that is no longer satisfied by their partner, urges them to become unfaithful. In The Awakening, Edna is no longer content in her marriage. She has never loved her husband, marrying him because of her family’s disapproval of him and of the way he doted on her every whim when courting her. Now she wants something he cannot give her: passion. After her summer of romantic tension with Robert in Grand Isle, Edna refuses to continue neglecting her desires. When she meets Alcée Arobin, …show more content…

Edna admits that she does not care for Alceé as a person, but solely tolerates him for the effect he has on her. Not seeking a relationship or a remarriage, the desire he causes her when in his presence and the pleasure he brings are the only uses she has of him. In The Great Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, wife of Tom, has suffered the humiliation of being cheated on repeatedly. Despite this, Daisy is not the victim of the story. In fact, whether out of true love or petty revenge, she begins her own affair with Jay Gatsby and is more reckless and obvious than Tom. As shown in the quote, “As he left the room again she got up and went over to Gatsby and pulled his face down, kissing him on the mouth” (Fitzgerald 116). Daisy exhibits affection towards her lover in the presence of her friends and in the house of her family. She is shameless and immodest. By not waiting an appropriate amount of time to greet Gatsby after Tom leaves the room, it is shown that Daisy does not give much effort into attempting to hide her relationship with

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