Character Analysis: The Awakening By Kate Chopin

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The author, Kate Chopin, wrote a novel titled The Awakening, which took place in New Orleans, Louisiana around 1899. In the story, the main character, Edna was a woman that seemed as if she wished to be self reliant, but wasn’t strong enough to venture out in the world alone. Throughout the novel, Chopin portrays Edna as a woman that doesn’t fit the views of society. Edna is influenced by others around her and she eventually tries to fly in her rugged world with wings that aren't strong enough to withstand the wind and falls to the hands of society. The distinguished author, Kate Chopin, chose to end Edna's life because she could no longer face the demands of society.
During the time this novel was written, women had specific duties to complete. …show more content…
(Chapter 6, pg. 15) She desires to reach new heights and do things that no other woman has done before. In the mist of this, a certain light was beginning to dawn dimly within her, showing the way, forbids it. Edna was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being. (Chapter 6, pg. 15) Along with Edna's realization came actions that justified her as a woman that is changing. As the text states, "..and taking off her wedding ring, flung it upon the carpet," clearly exemplifies a portion of Edna's state of change. Edna is now making choices that will drastically affect her life, based on what is right for her. Once Edna moved into her pigeon-house, "Edna seated herself with every appearance of discomfort." (Chapter 31, pg. 101) Consequently, she descended in the social scale, but moved forward in relieving herself from obligations. Edna says, "Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one's life." This reveals that joy and understanding that accompanies Edna's suffering is worth more to Edna than a lifetime of semi-conscious submission that once defined her. (Chapter 38, pg.
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