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Feminism

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The Awakening by Kate Chopin

The Awakening is basically about the story of Edna Pontellier and the transformations that she experienced and occurred in her life because of a summer romance . At the beginning , she is the typical mother of two a devoted wife to her wealthy New Orleans businessman husband . When the family was on a vacation during one summer at a seaside resort , Edna accidentally met Robert Lebrun - a young lad who showers her with

br special attention . The two shared moonlit walks and cherished conversations . And because of such , it rekindled old feelings that Edna almost has forgotten . When the vacation was finally over and they have already returned to the city , Edna turned her back to her old life - she threw away her commitment for her family , her consideration to the expectations from society and her conformation to age-old traditions - all these to discover a new life , love and sexual fulfillment ADDIN EN .CITE ChopinKate ChopinThe Awakening1161993Courier Dover Publications (Chopin

When this book was originally published , it made an enormous commotion because many critics condemned Chopin because they said that she was unable to denounce Edna 's actions and for the decision that she made at the end of the story . As time went by and an uprising of modern critics occurred , they eventually praised Chopin 's talent and artistry . She used psychological realism , symbolic metaphors and many sensual ideas to play with her characters and convey her message to her readers . And so , when the feminist movement stood up , they applauded her representation of Edna and the hindrances that convention tags on women . Indeed , this particular book is very much to the fore of its time

On a microscopic level and proper dissection of the book , one will find many examples of varying angles of a feminine attitude . There are many symbolic themes in the story that Chopin utilized to capture that essence of a woman . There is a particular scene in the story when Leonce , Edna 's husband looked at her as if she was a hot piece of broken property . This particular part displays male chauvinism at its peak . For him , since he is her husband and is bounded to traditions and her duties , she is not allowed to independence and self-fulfillment . She therefore must only live for him . Moreover , on another hindsight , when Edna began showing signs of independence , her husband got so angry and frustrated because he believes that she is not fulfilling her womanly functions and is being an irresponsible mother . Again , with the tradition that is highly etched on his mind , he thinks and believes that women must only tend to their children and serve their husbands Meanwhile , another character - Adele Ratignolle - is the epitome of any woman should be in the last century - beautiful and a devoted wife . She mostly depends on her family and not on herself . These characteristics that Adele embodies are very dissimilar...

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