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Rahman, Meahzabin
Honors American Literature
Period 3
12/5/16

19th Century Independent Reading Project

The Ambitious Awakening by Kate Chopin

In The Awakening, Kate Chopin asserts that one, namely Edna Pontellier in this book,
can revive when he or she goes through transformations and increasing consciousness as well as
strength when they have experiences that change their lives for the worse or the better. Chopin
displays this fact by showcasing the sudden incidents, such as an extramarital affair, which can
distance one from his or her family, cause them to have different insights about life, and have the
desire to change their life overall. She reveals these factors in order to inform the readers that
although one may not feel satisfied with the events occurring in his or her life, there is a possibly
better and another way to make life easier and happier. Chopin seemingly addresses depressed or
unhappy people, especially women in this book because she constantly refers to Mrs. Pontelliers
dissatisfactions about her marriage, children, jobs among many others.
The author of this book provides multiple significant issues and ideas about how
discontent can lead to dangerous acts by an individual, which can destroy life and relationships.
One issue discussed in chapter 3 is marital problems in which Edna, the protagonist, is miserable
about her marriage life with her husband due to their different personalities. Chopin writes, He
thought is very discouraging that his wife, who was the sole object of his existence, evinced so
little interest in things which concerned him, and valued so little his conversation (12). This
explains that although Mr. Pontellier was dedicated toward his wife and would give Edna his life,
she was never attentive towards his true love. Next, the author shows that the main character was
never an ideal mother towards her twin son, Raoul and Etienne. In chapter 3, it states, He
approached his wife with her inattention, her habitual neglect of the children. If it was not a
mothers place to look after children, whose on earth was it (13)? This explicates that Mrs.
Pontellier was a careless and selfish mother who thought her children were a harsh responsibility,
and focused on her own ambitions. Furthermore, another important idea was that Edna felt she
was never actually human due to her isolation from specific people, such as her husband, twin
sons, father, and sister. In chapter 6, Kate Chopin states, In short, Mrs. Pontellier was beginning
to realize her position in the universe as a human being to recognize her relations as an
individual to the world within and about her (25). She felt as if she were trapped in a box, so she
went to the beach to discover her inner real and true self. The fourth idea that is discussed in The
Awakening was the meaning of true love for Edna Pontellier, who believes that her marriage
with Leonce Pontellier wasnt meant to be. In chapter 7, it is shown, Her marriage to Leonce
Pontellier was purely an accident He fell in love, as men are in the habit of doing He
pleased her; his absolute devotion flattered her. She fancied there was a sympathy of thought
and taste between them, in which fancy she was mistaken. And to this violent opposition of her
father and her sister Margaret to her marriage with a Catholic (32). This reveals that Edna
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and Leonce began to distance from each other naturally and their marriage failed. This also
symbolizes that parents know best for the children because Ednas father had the intuition that
the marriage between his daughter and son-in-law wouldnt last long since it was young love.
In addition, the climax is aspiration about an experience one wants to feel for the first time to
observe the benefit it has on them, which is one of the main topics of this book. In chapter 10, it
affirms, but intoxicated with her newly conquered power, she swam out alone (48). This
situation was helpful for Edna because it was another way she was able to find her true self and
become brave at the same time without ever experiencing an incident which can cause death.
One of the last and most important idea discussed in The Awakening is feminism, because Edna
doesnt want to be an ideal woman; instead, she prefers to explore what is around her and
somewhat make a change. In chapter 22, Kate Chopin asserts, Woman is a very peculiar and
delicate organism- a sensitive and highly organized woman (110). This quote clearly shows
that women are being derailed and thought of as a lower ranking gender due to their emotions
and physical strength. However, Mrs. Pontellier wants to display that women have power and
can take part in public affairs. The conclusion and significant issue is death due to unhappiness in
life. In chapter 39, it sadly discloses, She went on and on she swam out far, and recalled the
terror that seized her at the fear of being unable to regain the shore. She did not look back now,
but went on and on (189-190). These few statements symbolize that Edna ended her life,
which makes her selfish again because she doesnt pay attention to the impact of what it will
have on Leonce, her sons, and Robert, her true love.

In The Awakening, there were multiple issues the author examines, but the issue that
struck the most was family problems and disunity among them. In the article, A troubled
teenager, a tragic end, by Tess Wrobleski considers that family conflicts and no communication
between parents was one of the reasons why Collette Boures life ended although it wasnt
suicide. The article states, Looking back, several family members said a lack of communication
and consistency between the households took a toll on Boure. This explains that when parents
are separated or deceased, it may cause trauma or mental health conflicts which can lead to
dangerous actions. This relates to the book because Edna doesnt clearly communicate with her
husband which strains their relationship and affects their sons who arent close to her. For
example, in chapter 4, Chopin writes, If one of the little Pontellier boys took a tumble whilst at
play, he was not apt to rush crying to his mothers arm for comfort (16). This explicates that
when there are conflicts arising in families, they slowly start to disunite and tend to choose one
parent. Another similar issue is that children arent sometimes the main focus of their parents
lives, so they choose to leave them alone. In the article, Wrobleski writes, She never had a
place anywhere, between all the homes, Rob Lary said. His advice for parents, particularly
those in blended families, is put your kids first, he said. You brought them into this world.
This proves that children who are ignored in families are usually the ones are at the greatest risk
of suffering physical problems. Finally, this is similar to The Awakening because for Edna, her
kids arent her first priority; instead, it is her ambitions. In chapter 4, it states, In short, Mrs.
Pontellier was not a mother-woman (16). Overall, this explains that not taking care of children
properly and miscommunication among parents can cause serious consequences and drift a
family apart.

Kate Chopin believes that America is a country where progressiveness first occurs due to

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due to changes radical people want to make for the better of the country. The main comment she
is attempting to make is that there is such thing as feminism where women will be controlling the
world along with men. Chopin wanted to make changes based on gender equality although she
was progressive before that time started. She believed that woman could do both roles of being a
wife and a worker in public affairs. In the book, it states, It was easy to know them fluttering
about with extended, protecting wings when any harm, real imaginary, threatened their precious
brood. They were women who idolized their children, worshipped their husbands, and esteemed
it a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels
(16). This proves that women were required to be an ideal person who only cares for the family
and does housework. The author tries to prove that women are more than just weak and
emotional people when she explains Ednas character. In chapter 4, she declares, It would have
been a difficult matter for Mr. Pontellier to define his own satisfaction or any one elses wherein
his wife failed in her duty toward their children (16). This explicates that women dont only
have to be committed to their families all their life, but they should focus aspect of life at once, if
possible. The main character, Edna, represents the feminist woman who wants to explore other
opportunities while her husband portrays an ordinary man who doesnt want his wife to do
anything other than concentrating on his family. Overall, the main message of this book inspired
many women in America to take action and fight for equal rights for women who want to
succeed out of their households, and be free.
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Works Cited

Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. NY, NY: Avon , a Division of the Hearst Corporation, n.d. Print.

Wrobleski, Tess. A Troubled Teenager, a Tragic End. Sun Journal. N.p., 3 Dec. 2016. Web. 01
Dec. 2016.