Q3

In an exploration of a woman's desire to find and live fully within herself. There are
many variables within the story that greatly influence the idea between sex and love, which is
part of the experience in a woman’s Awakening. Chopin’s novella The Awakening features
many profounding pairs of characters with contrasting qualities to differentiate those certain
traits. Edna’s friend, Robert Lebrun, has a romantic image of himself that isn’t supported by his
actions or behavior and serves as an inspiration for Edna to forget her reserve and begin
revealing herself to others. Alcee Arobin, however, enjoys making conquests out of married
women, being able to satisfy Edna’s physical urges and enable her to embrace a sensuality she
had forgotten existed.
Robert’s introduction in the Awakening features him having a history of becoming the
devoted attendant of different women through the summers of Grand Isle, as stated within the
beginning chapters. He is also devoted to showering these women with affection rooted in
admiration but lacking serious intent. While he is ruled by his own passions and impulses, he
never manages to break societal conventions that allow limits and actions. As insubstantial as a
ghost, he lacks the emotional maturity to pursue an actual relationship with an eligible woman;
however, Edna is emotionally swept away by his devotion, seeing in him a promise of love and
excitement that’s been missing in her life since her caged marriage. His tender treatment towards
Edna represents the legitimate love for her that extends even past his superficial adoration that he
is used to when it comes to his other female companions. He is charming and charismatic.
“There was not one but was ready to follow when he led the way” This manner appeals to Edna’s
love for sensuality and desire for imaginative living. When he recognizes this intensity of his
romantic interests, he flees to Mexico motivated by fear of true involvement with her,
representing the fact that he considers his position of love when it comes to involving himself
with a complicated relationship with a married woman. Ultimately, he is overwhelmed by Edna's
declaration that “we shall love each other...nothing else in the world is of any consequence” and
disappears, unable to follow through to face the personal and social consequences should they
continue their path.
Alcée Arobin is a seductive charmer, no doubt about it. This kind of reputation is what
Chopin uses to oppose the turn-of-century-gender norms which stifle women’s sexual desire and
define them solely by their roles as wives and mothers. He is described as “a familiar figure at
the course….looked into them and listened to his good-humored voice.” Unlike Robert
emotionally attracting Edna through their continuous intimacy and complexity, Arobin attracts
Edna in a sexual way. Her current life had bored her, and Arobin’s wicked grin and fashionable
connections, was that refreshing break from what she had been accustomed to. It made her feel
alive, with Chopin writing “He had detected the latent sensuality, which unfolded...torrid
sensitive blossom.” Arobin’s reputation is notorious for his casual inclusion into sexual
relationships with women, or basically a womanizer. He detects a sensuality that is repressed in
these women, which they deny. Unlike Robert, he did not win Edna’s love, he meant little to her.
Even with their passionate affair, he was not able to take authority over Edna and failed to
control her.
Robert and Arobin contrast two very conflicting themes of intimacy within repressed
women of society during this time period. The intimacy of Robert’s advances appeals to the
emotional side of Edna, and Arobin appeals to Edna’s binded sexual desires. These contrasting
qualities of these two men influence Edna’s awakening in different ways. Robert’s love matches
the sincerity and desperation of her own, yet Arobin tries to pull her back to the depths of
conformity to try and take sexual control of her.