Awakening

The Awakening

In the short story “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin the main character Edna commits suicide as a finale escape from the oppression of the Victorian society she lives in. The reader is prepared for this conclusion to the story because the plot line evolves in only one direction, downward. There are also sufficient clues as to the conclusion woven into the experiences Edna faces. Two of these clues lie in the awakening Edna experiences and the rejection she faces because of this.

The first time the reader gains a glimpse of the horrendous conclusion is when Edna experiences her Awakening in the novella. Edna becomes self-aware of this at the birth of Madame Adиle Ratignolle child. During this scene Edna confesses to the reader that she could never become the mother type. This is in strict contradiction with Victorian societies expectations of a female. Another prime example of Edna’s awakening is the move she undertakes. She is overcome with the feeling that she can no longer stay in a house that her husband paid for and she moves just around the corner. This was simply unheard of in Victorian society and was completely opposite society. Due to this complete and total rejection of the societal norm the reader is able to infer that this story has a twist to it that is abnormal or expected.

The next big clue that the reader receives to the conclusion of this story is the rejection that Edna faces because of her awakening. The first example of this rejection is that fact that her husband will not allow society to know the true meaning for the replanting of the families dwellings. Mr. Pontellier puts an ad in the paper say that the reason for this was that their house was being redesigned. This is basically a big slap in the face to Edna saying that she will not be allowed to do as she wishes and that she has to live according to society. The second and perhaps most demoralizing rejection of Edna’s awakening was Robert’s rejection of her. During the time Robert spends he never writes to her and when he does finally return the states he does not try to contact her. It is only by a chance meeting that they meet. During this meeting they both professes their love for each other but Robert does not stay around for very long