The Awakening :: essays research papers

Edna Pontellier&9The Awakening, which was written by Kate Chopin, received a great give out of criticism when it was first published in 1899. Much of the controversy over the novel arose because of the character of Edna Pontellier. Edna was very much unlike the women of her time. In todays terms she would be considered a rebel. Edna opposed the traditional roles of society that kept many restraints on the women of the 1800s. According to traditional society of the 1800s women were assigned the duties of tending the home, caring for their husband, and bearing children. On the other hand, the men of this time were to be considered the authority of the household and were basically in charge of what goes on doneout the household internally and externally as well as mentally and physically. It is Ednas choice to disobey these roles and her need for self-discovery, which cause a shocking end to this adventure to find her true self.&9In her critique, the female artist in Kate Chopins The Awakening Birth and Creativity, Carlene Stone takes the reader through stages of Ednas struggle to become an artist showing direct correlation with her decent and individual and in control of her own self. For example she states how Roberts encouragement while she is painting is very innocent in the beginning but eventually leads to the wake up of her passions of her body and her falling in love with Robert. The fact that Edna falls for Robert goes against those societal roles which where followed by some many women of the 1800s. Robert plays a big role in Ednas self-development through artistry and love by being a huge source of imaginative power. Stone then goes on making references to the scene in which she grows tire during Mass and leaves with Robert who takes her to Madame Antoines home. She states that stories told by Madame Antoine represents the oral tradition of art and that this day is the high point of Ednas imagination and she will return to it in her memory as she paints. other form of art in which Stone refers to is structured art, which is supplied by Mme. Reisz. Mme. Reisz plays her music with great feeling and art, which evokes pictures in Edens mind and her passions of her body, arise once again. These pictures and passions once again contribute greatly to the continuing development of Ednas artistic growth, which continues to lead to her self-discovery.