The Awakening
According to literary critic, Michael Gilmore, Edna commits suicide as a way out of the society she was entrapped in. He says, ?She can find no room for her newly awakened self in the present social system?there is no way for the world she inhabits to accommodate the change in her.? The society of Grand Isle places towering expectations on the women to become men?s property devote a majority of their lives to their children. Edna Pontellier is sourouded by what she declares the ?mother-women?, women who ?idolized their children, worshipped their husbands, and esteemed it to a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals.? Every aspect of her life contributes to the portrayal of the image she cannot ensue; Her husband, lovers, children, and friends all directly contribute to Edna?s tragic demise.
Kate Chopin explains that it isn?t that Edna neglects her children, but rather she abandons her mother-woman image. Edna attempts to explain her outlook when she says, ?I would give up the unessential; I would give my money; I would give my life for my children; but I wouldnt give myself. I cant make it more clear; its only something I am beginning to comprehend,
awakening, edna, life, husband, children, mother-woman, society, herself, adele, mademoiselle, give, edna?s, yet, world, wife, two, self, role, reisz, own, novel, end, clear, choice, become, awakened, women, way, very, sense, sees, says, ratignolle, pontellier, living, isle
