"The Awakening"

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how the character of Edna, Chopin's novel, "The Awakening", has a painful awakening in that she sees the opportunities that life has to offer but she is unable to reach for them. The paper describes how Chopin uses the setting of Edna's surroundings to bring her to a place of enlightenment and also uses certain characters to open Edna's eyes; her family, her husband, Robert and the doctor. The paper therefore shows how the title of the novel, "The Awakening" epitomizes the theme of the story.

From the Paper:

"Kate Chopin's The Awakening is a novel that emphasizes Edna's realization that she is a woman held back because of societal norms. Chopin utilizes Edna's setting and characters to wake Edna up to certain facts about life. Edna awakens to the reality that life is a prize and that the world is full of options for men and women. She also becomes fully aware that she is living in a time where women are expected to be content living the life of a wife and a mother and not want for anything else. Edna has a painful awakening in that she sees the opportunities that life has to offer yet she is unable to reach for them. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Chopin, Kate. The Awakening and Other Stories. New York: Bantam Books. 1988.

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