Choosing between Family and Individuality in Kate...

Choosing between Family and Individuality in Kate Chopins The Awakening Kate Chopins The Awakening focuses on a womans struggle to become an individual while still being a mother and wife. In the process of this journey, the female heroine discovers that establishing her own identity means losing a mothers identity. Edna looks to be the brave soul, a soul that dares and defies (Chopin 61). Ednas society looked down upon females who seek anything other than attending to their children and husbands needs. Therefore, she is seen as an outcast and must turn inward as well as outward towards nature for satisfaction and approval. At the beginning of The Awakening, Mr. Pontellier poses the question, If it†¦show more content†¦Pontellier realizes that life with Mr. Pontellier resembles a masquerade(Chopin 19) more than a marriage. The sea reflects her feelings, becoming almost one with her consciousness. It strives to suit her emotions and it often lulls and calms her. Mrs. Pontellier realizes that she is disillusioned by her family life while sitting with Madame Ratignolle, stating that she is fond of her children in an uneven, impulsive way (Chopin 19) and that their absence was a sort of relief (Chopin 19). While this realization occurs, she looks towards the sea which makes her intoxicated with the sound of her own voice (Chopin 19). Mrs. Pontellier is intrigued by hearing her own voice because she, as both a female, a mother and a wife, has had to listen and be a subordinate person instead of speaking her own ideas. As if it recognized Ednas need to be freed from the grasps of her children and of her husband, the ocean puts a spell on her. It influences her to strive for freedom from the oppression of family life. Once the ocean makes her discover the importance of her own voice, she stops submitting herself to her husbands will and lets her own will be just as important as his: She perceived that her will had blazed up, stubborn, and resistant (Chopin 31). This new found sense of self helps wake her out of a dream - a grotesque, impossible dream better known as motherhood (Edwards 283). Ednas new identity leads to indulgence; sheShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Significance of Art in Chopins The Awakening873 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"bore no resemblance† to its subject. After her awakening experience in Grand Isle, Edna begins to view her art as an occupation (Dyer 85). She tells Mademoiselle Reisz that she is â€Å"becoming an artist† (Chopin 584). Women traditionally viewed art as a hobby, but to Edna, it was much more important than that. Painting symbolizes Edna’s independence; through art, she breaks free from her society’s mold. One form of art which is predominant in The Awakening is piano playing. Piano playing symbolizes a