Feminist Perspective Essay

Feminist Perspective in The waking up In The Awakening, Chopin describes how the perfect man or char should seem check to party. The Awakening was published in 1899 which aroused a storm of dispute for its then unprecedented treat manpowert of female indep oddmentence and sexuality, and for its unromantic en issuement of marriage. (Chopin, 1899, Note) Women were expected to be obedient septwives and a doting m different to their children. The financial account If it was non a womens place to look later children, whos on earth was it? (Chopin, 1899, snap 3) de nones what the charrs responsibilities ar in a marriage. Chopin uses the characters Edna, Leonce, Madame Ratignolle and Robert Lebrun to show how marriage, independence, equal rights and freedom are portrayed in the novel, The Awakening. Leonce Pontellier was a forty year old, slender, medium built man with true brown hair parted to unrivaled side. When Chopin describes, since it seemed to be the law of caller that hair must be parted and brushed (Chopin, 1899, young man 4) it shows how rescript expects a mans appearance to be.Leonce was by on problem often epochs and would send a box full of fruits, bon bons, and juicy syrups in abundance. Mr. Pontellier was often away from berth on business trips. To make up for the time spent away from home he would send these sonsie treats. The women were envious of how much Mr. Pontellier cared for Edna. Chopin top hat describes how other women see Mr. and Mrs. Pontelliers birth when she states selecting with dainty and discriminating fingers and a petite greedily, all declared that Mr. Pontellier was the best husband in the world (Chopin, 1899, fella 3) eon sharing the grapey treats sent.Mr. Pontellier was a really materialistic man and even when he looked at his wife after being in the sun states you are burnt-out beyond recognition, he added, feeling at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of property which has suffered some damage. (Chopin, 1899, bloke 1) shows how men view their wife in that era. Men handled their woman to be flawless and devoted to their family. In to twenty-four hour periodlights confederacy that would be considered a trophy wife. Leonce is great at providing for his family, besides disregards his wifes feelings. One representative of how Mr.Pontellier is inconsiderate of his wifes feelings is when she asked him if he would be coming home for dinner and his response was he halted a moment and shrugged his shoulders. / He did not know perhaps he would return for the early dinner and perhaps he would not. (Chopin, 1899, chap 1) However, when Edna abandon her Tuesdays at home, and did not return the vi positions of those who called upon her. (Chopin, 1899, chap 14) and begins painting, he views her as mentally unbalanced, which he essays advice from a doctor. Mr.Pontellier had been or else courteous husband so languish as he met certain tactic submissiveness in his wife. (Chopin, 1899, chap 14) In other words as long as Edna does what is expected of society he would be happy. In the late 1800s the mans job was to provide for the family and the womans job was to care for the house and children. Mr. Pontellier was your typical man of that era. Edna Pontellier was a young woman of twenty eight, whos eyes were quick and bright they were yellowish brown, rough the color of her hair. / She was rather handsome than beautiful. (Chopin, 1899, chap 2) In the narrative, The Awakening Chopin describes Edna as an American woman with a small infusion of French (Chopin, 1899, chap 2), however it was wooly in dilution. (Chopin, 1899, chap 2) Edna was in an upset marriage with Leonce and throughout the story begins to find her inner self at the sumptuous islet. Chopin uses different symbols throughout the story to help us understand Ednas state of mind. Edna did not fit in with the rest of the Creole women. Chopin describes Edna as not a mother-woman (Chopin, 1899, chap 4) indicating that she is not a dedicated mother like the other Creole women. Mrs. Pontellier, though she had married a creole, was not thoroughly home in society of the Creoles. (Chopin, 1899, chap 4) The Creole women were known for fluttering some with extended, protecting wings when whatsoever harm, real or imaginary, threatened their extraordinary brood. (Chopin, 1899, chap 4) Edna has a quadroon sustain, whom looks after the children who was looked upon as a huge encumbrance (Chopin, 1899, chap 4) leaving one to believe that because of the time period that the quadroon nurse is black.In this era women were dedicated to their children and husband, however Edna defies the norms of society when she doesnt go after these rules. Edna is fascinated by the beauty and mothering portrayed by Madame Ratignolle and forms a marry with her in the summer at bossy Isle. Madame Ratignolle was genuinely fond of Mrs. Pontellier and often she took her sewing and went over t o sit with her in the afternoons. (Chopin, 1899, chap 4) Mrs. Pontellier liked to sit and gaze at her fair companion as she might look upon a faultless Madonna. (Chopin, 1899, chap 5) Madame Ratignolle was the perfect Creole woman and Edna looked to her for guidance. Madame Ratignolle is an example of an acceptable woman in this time period. However Edna realizes she is not like the other Creole women and searches within herself for independence. As a woman in the late 1800s early 1900s life had many challenges, curiously for those who seek independence. It was unlikely for a woman to neither voice her persuasions if she were unhappy in a marriage nor choose who to marry. In The Awakening, Ednas dumbfound pushed her into marriage with Leonce.She describes her marriage as purely an accident (Chopin, 1899, chap 7) and with the unpeaceful opposition of her father and her sister Margaret to her marriage with a Catholic, and we need seek no further for the motives which led her to ac cept Monsier Pontellier for her husband. (Chopin, 1899, chap 7) In this era women had very little equal rights and were unable to stand their grounds on their beliefs in fear of rejection from society. In the summer at Grand Isle Edna begins to develop a negative attitude towards marriage. During the summer at Grand Isle, Edna learns how to swim, which begins her awakening.Edna views the sea as calming and way to escape from reality. level when Edna isnt at the beach she thinks about the sounds of the waves to comfort her. As Edna looks at the sea she thinks about the motionless sails against the blue sky, made a delicious picture I right compulsioned to sit and look at. / The risque wind lacing in my face made me think without any connection that I can trace of a summer day in Kentucky, of a meadow that seemed as big as the nautical to the very little girl walking through the grass, which was higher than her waist. (Chopin, 1899, chap 7) The sea reminds Edna of being a lit tle girl without having to carry the laborious load of society. She tangle freedom through the waves as they hit the shore. after(prenominal) Edna goes for her first swim, she is overjoyed and yells Think of the time I create confounded splashing like a baby (Chopin, 1899, chap 5) This was the beginning of the end for her. This night is the first night that Edna stands up to her husband when he asks her to hump in for the night while she was resting on the hammock. Edna replies No Im pass to stay out here. (Chopin, 1899, chap 6) Mr.Pontellier wasnt used to Edna not doing what is asked. Edna hears Leonce moving about the room every sound indicating impatience and irritation. (Chopin, 1899, chap 6), which signifies Leonce is frustrated that Edna wasnt submissive as usual. Edna had spent some time with her father which stirred up the feelings as to why she didnt want to attend her sisters wedding. Following the advice given to Mr. Pontellier by the Dr. Mandelets declined to i ntervene in her decision. As her father left Mr. Pontellier was not outlying(prenominal) behind and began talking to her father about Ednas behavior.Ednas father told him You are too lenient, too lenient by far, Leonce (Chopin, 1899 chap 29) Authority, irresistible impulse are what is needed. / Put your foot down good and hard the unaccompanied way to manage a wife. / Take my word for it. (Chopin, 1899, chap 29)This statement shows how men view women with little respect and freedom. It had to of pick outn a brood for Edna to stand up to her father and tell him no, when he was such an indorsement to her in life. Ednas newfound freedom has found her venturing out and doing occasions she enjoys. She goes to a horse race with Mrs. Highcamp at Arobins drag.This is where she meets a man named Alcee Arobin. She begins to overlook a lot of time with sharing her interest of horse racing. through and through their constant visits Alcee begins experiencing feelings for Edna. Alcee kis ses her hand as he leaves her house in the evening. after(prenominal) he is gone she looks mechanically at the back of her hand which he had kissed so warmly. (Chopin, 1899, chap 25) As Edna looked at her hand she felt sanely like a woman who in the moment of passion is betrayed into an act of infedility, and realizes the significance of the act without being wholly awaken from its glamour. (Chopin, 1899, chap 25) When Edna is thought this she is not referring to her husband, but of Robert whom she fell in love with at the Grand Isle. During this time period divorce wasnt a choice. Edna continues to fall into the ordnance store of Alcee as they spend time together. Chopin describes the relationship developing into more than just a friendship however Edna love and sexual desires for Robert are being portrayed with Alcee. Affairs were a forbidden and inexcusable act in the eyes of society.After this night Edna cried which was only a phase of the unnumbered emotions which assaile d her. / There was with her an overwhelming feeling of irresponsibility. (Chopin, 1899, chap 28) This signifies that she is feeling remorseful for her demeanour however her feelings for Robert are st light-headed strong. She then makes a big bill and moves out into the pigeon house around the corner. Edna moves out of her home to the pigeon house and begins to give herself through her paintings. This was absurb of a woman moving out of her home away from her husband. When Mr. Pontellier learned of his wifes intention to abandoned her home and take her residence elsewhere, he immediately wrote a letter of unqualified blame and remonstrance. (Chopin, 1899, chap32) He was worried about what people would say. (Chopin, 1899, chap 32), so he put their house under construction to hide the fact that Edna locomote out. For the time being Leonce remains away on business while Edna is documentation in the pigeon house. No agelong was she content to feed upon opinion when her own soul had invited her. (Chopin, 1899, chap32) Edna feels independent and full of life. During this time Robert returns from Mexico and Edna reveals her love to him, I love you, she whispered, only you no one but you. / It was you that awoke me last summer out of a life-long stupid dream. (Chopin, 1899, chap 37) She defies the rules of society by pleasing one other than her husband, whom she was supposed to love and adore forever. However after revealing her love to Robert she leaves the house to attend to her friend who has become ill and asks him to wait for her to return.When Edna returned home there was a note left from Robert stating I love you. Good-by because I love you. (Chopin, 1899, chap 33) Robert did what was the right thing to do in society by leaving because they both would have been shunned for their affair. After reading the letter it appeared as though Edna went into shock. Chopin describes her as she grew die when she read the words. (Chopin, 1899, chap 33) The nex t day she decides to go for a little swim and as she was walking she said to herself over and over again, Today it is Arobin tomorrow it will be someone else. (Chopin, 1899, chap 34) and was also thinking about words shared with Adele Ratignolle, she would give up the unessential, but she would not make herself for her children. (Chopin, 1899, chap 34) She wasnt going to sacrifice her life any longer for anybody. Edna interprets the sea as being, seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander in abysses of solitude. (Chopin, 1899, chap 34) As she continues to walk along the beach doesnt find anything living except for a bird with a broken wing was beating the air above, reeling, fluttering, circling disabled down, down to the water. (Chopin, 1899, chap 34) The bird symbolizes Edna, broken. She strips away her habilitate and walks into the cold ocean naked like a new-born creature, never looking back. In conclusion, it is clear throughout the novel society portrays how men and women should look. The men with their perfect hair and the women doing as they should when directed by their husband are the perfect people in that era. However Edna goes against all the rules of society when she begins going against all of her husbands wishes and gains confidence along with independence.Society was not ready to face the strength of a woman yet. Therefore, Edna felt very alone in the world with nowhere to turn. She took her life in the very place she discovered her soul because it was the only place she truly felt alive and free. Reference Chopin, K. , (2005), The Awakening, (1899), published by Hayes Barton Press, a family of Vital Source Technologies, Inc. , Retrieved from digital library, September 16, 2011 http//digitalbookshelf. southuniversity. edu//books/L-999-70979/pages/17443484