5-1 Kate Chopin "The Awakening"

Kate Chopin was born into a considerably wealthy family, and was given a really good education.  She was married at the age of nineteen to Oscar Chopin.  He was a wealthy man and when he passed away Kate was left with plenty of money to keep her satisfied.  Even though Kate had six children to keep her busy, she became bored and began writing.  Her writing was unconventional and received a lot of criticism.  She wrote of things that were taboo and in her time no one wanted to hear those things.  If she were a writer in our time she would be praised for her writing, but in the 1800s women were expected not to speak of things like that. 

In Kate Chopin's, "The Awakening" she wrote of passion and infidelity.  This was one is her most criticized works and now one of her most well-known.  The main character is Mrs. Pontellier a wealthy young woman married to a well-liked businessman. They are spending the summer in Grand Isle with their two children.  The women envy Edna, she has the "perfect husband".  He makes enough money to give them a very comfortable life.  He is always concerned about his children, and makes a point to send his wife gifts every time he is out of town.  Edna is simply spoiled in the eyes of the other women, but Edna is unhappy.  She does not enjoy the things that the other women seem to enjoy.  While many of the women are devoted entirely to their husband and children, Edna is distant.  She is concerned with many other things, and is not the mothering type.  Her husband senses these things about her, but pushes his thoughts aside and tries think the best of his wife.

Edna meets Robert while they are staying at Grand Isle.  During her time with Robert Edna begins to change.  Her attention becomes more and more directed towards him.  At first she thinks nothing of it, and soon it develops into much more than a friendship.  She finds herself wanting Robert when he is away.  Everything in her life is seeming to change, and everyone is noticing.  People are asking questions and growing suspicious of what is going on. 

In this story Chopin shows how a woman opens up and discovers herself.  Edna finally felt alive, she finally felt free with Robert.  She was a mother and a wife, but Robert brought out the true Edna.  Her emotions were awakened with this new found passion.  Edna had her own voice, thoughts, and feelings.  It was like she was a child all over again.  This story was captivating because I could see her opening up to herself.  The thought of her betraying her husband and family did bother me, but her new found self made me happy.