In The Awakening by Kate Chopin, Chopin details the inner conflict of the protagonist Edna to unveil the inherent struggles individuals face when their own ambitions and views contrast with those expected within the confines of society. Deprived of freedom and individuality, Edna struggles to reconcile the outward semblance of conformity that society demands of her, with her own internal questioning of her desire to remain entrapped in society’s imposed roles upon women. Throughout the novel, the tension that arises from outward conformity and inward questioning possesses over Edna’s consciousness, revealing her inability to fully relinquish the social norms that the Creole society expects from her. Through the tracing of Edna’s character to
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When Edna lounges herself in a sea bath with Robert, a man who is not her husband, she attempts to disregard societal conventions. Yet, once on the shore, she returns from the limitless ocean to her husband, indicating her compliant return to the sphere of oppression and grip of society. In addition, once on the shore, Edna’s husband notes Edna as a “personal piece of property” that has suffered damage due to the intensity of the sun, further emphasizing Edna’s lack of individuality and independence. Instead of voicing her discomfort in the way her husband addressed her as a piece of valuable possession, Edna willingly slips on her ring, an act of conformity and unhesitant devotion to societal expectations of her as married woman. Furthermore, even though Edna’s husband regularly condemns Edna on her lack of attention to their children, she nevertheless checks on the children when she is told to do so, revealing her meek and outward conforming behavior. Likewise, her association with Madame Ratignolle, a motherly character who encompasses and embraces the traits of a standard Creole woman, further exemplifies Edna’s initial inability to gain independence and overthrow societal restrictions. During the beginning phases of Edna’s development, those who surround her clearly refuse to challenge the oppressive nature of their society; Edna’s close association with them and routine participation in high-class activities leads to her narrow perspective and thus, outwardly conforming
When Edna lounges herself in a sea bath with Robert, a man who is not her husband, she attempts to disregard societal conventions. Yet, once on the shore, she returns from the limitless ocean to her husband, indicating her compliant return to the sphere of oppression and grip of society. In addition, once on the shore, Edna’s husband notes Edna as a “personal piece of property” that has suffered damage due to the intensity of the sun, further emphasizing Edna’s lack of individuality and independence. Instead of voicing her discomfort in the way her husband addressed her as a piece of valuable possession, Edna willingly slips on her ring, an act of conformity and unhesitant devotion to societal expectations of her as married woman. Furthermore, even though Edna’s husband regularly condemns Edna on her lack of attention to their children, she nevertheless checks on the children when she is told to do so, revealing her meek and outward conforming behavior. Likewise, her association with Madame Ratignolle, a motherly character who encompasses and embraces the traits of a standard Creole woman, further exemplifies Edna’s initial inability to gain independence and overthrow societal restrictions. During the beginning phases of Edna’s development, those who surround her clearly refuse to challenge the oppressive nature of their society; Edna’s close association with them and routine participation in high-class activities leads to her narrow perspective and thus, outwardly conforming