The Awakening

The Awakening

was the story that caused Kate Chopin the most controversy. After getting a lot of bad reviews and comments, this was the last novel Chopin wrote. The book was banned from many places including her hometown. So why did The Awakening cause a lot controversy?

We have to keep in mind that at the time the book was written when women did not have many rights, they were limited to what society allowed them. The Awakening is based on the on Edna Pontellier, an independent woman. Edna was married to a man who gave her a lot of freedom, and she also had two kids. The the marriage life that Edna had with her husband is very similar to Chopin's. Chopin's husband allowed her to do what she wanted and admired her. The story begins with them being on vacation in Grand Isle, this is where she begins to discover herself. At the resort there was a woman named Adele Ratignolle, Edna became friends with her. Ms. Ratignolle herself was singled out for not being married and not believing in society’s expectations. After Edna had a conversation with her, she began to question society. Robert was also of great contribution to her awakening. Edna became real close with Robert and she enjoyed spending time with him. Hanging out with him is what made her realized she was unhappy with her husband. In the time period she lived one would have expected her to forget those thoughts once she returned home; however, it was the complete opposite. When returning home Edna refused to return back to lifestyle she had. She enjoyed the freedom and woman she had discovered in Grand Isle, although at some level she was depress due to Robert leaving. Edna began to rebel, she started out with small things such as not being home on the day people visited their house. She didn’t even bother to send out apologies, she didn’t find it necessary to apologize for something she didn’t feel like doing. Her rebellion kept on reaching higher extremities, while Mr. Pontellier was out of town Edna moved out of her house leaving her children behind. She soon was capable of supporting herself without the need of a man. When Robert returned she would no longer retain herself from expressing her love, she ended up committing adultery. Although she enjoyed it, the happiness didn’t last. She had experience so much freedom and realize that she was not meant to be tied down a one man. Being attached to a man would eventually bored her and end up in the same situation. After realizing that she would never be truly satisfied she went to the ocean and swam away from everyone including her life. Now you can see why The Awakening caused such controversy, because Edna broke more than one of society’s expectations. Edna committed adultery, abandoned her husband and children, and ended up committing suicide. In my opinion this story had a sad ending. Edna had gone through so much to discover herself, for her to end up committing suicide.

Kate Chopin wrote what she did because she was not afraid to express herself. Maybe if all of us were like her we would not have to worry about society judging us for doing what we want instead of living up to their expectations.