by reading Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening”
Kate Chopin’s The Awakening was initially published in 1899 by Herbert S. Stone & Company. The book was written around “Women’s Independence” and “Women’s sexual exploration. ” It challenged gender expectations at the time.
During this period, women in the United States had far fewer rights than men. It wasn’t until 1920, when the 19th Amendment was ratified that women gained the right to vote (National Archives, n.d.). In the decades leading up to this, only about 15% of women worked outside the home, primarily due to the opportunities presented by the Industrial Revolution, which led factory owners to hire women and children at lower wages.
Despite these advances, women were still expected to marry, bear children, and manage their households. The struggle for property rights, which women in the U.S. won slightly earlier than their English counterparts, was just one facet of the broader fight for equality.
Chopin’s portrayal of Edna Pontellier’s journey in The Awakening delves deeply into the struggles and desires that accompany the pursuit of personal freedom, especially within the constraints of a society that has rigid expectations for women. The novel invites readers to explore the emotional and psychological complexities faced by women who dared to seek independence in a world that often demanded their subservience.
Through Edna’s experiences, Chopin offers a nuanced critique of the societal norms that stifle individuality and the frequently painful consequences of defying these norms. This intricate exploration of a woman’s quest for self-realization is a powerful narrative that still resonates with readers today. Today, in this blog, I want to focus on its symbolism and how it is not only built around the theme of this book, “Women’s Independence and Freedom,” but also tied to Edna’s internal journey. Finally, I want to discuss what I have learned from this novel.
The Plot Summary
Edna Pontellier, the protagonist, is the wife of Leonce Potenllier, who owns French Louisiana Cresole. They have twin boys. They went to Grand Isle for summer vacation, managed by Madame Leburn and her sons Robert and Victor. Robert Leburn is a charming young man who seeks Edna’s attention. Unlike her husband, Leonce, Robert pays great attention to Edna. He also taught Edna how to swim, as Edna was born and raised in Kentucky and never learned to swim. Their relationship started innocently. When they fell in love, Robert fled to Mexico for business.
After returning home to New Orleans after their vacation, Edna actively sought her happiness. She isolated herself from society in New Orleans. She started withdrawing from caring for her kids or traditional duties at home. She began to paint and try to earn money. Leounce worried about her, but his medical doctor, also a friend, advised him to let her be until things got normal.
While Leonce was in New York for his business, she moved out of their home and rented a house nearby. Edna started to have an affair with Alcee Arobin, a womanizer. It was a sexual relationship, but an awkward relationship. Eventually, Robert returned from Mexico and confessed to Edna that he loved her. Edna’s friend, Adele, had a problematic childbirth for her 4th child and called Edna. She told her that she needed to think about her children. When she returns from Adele, Edna realizes that Robert has left her for good because he loves her so much that he cannot endure a relationship with a married woman.
Edna was shocked and betrayed. She returned to Grand Isle, where she first met Robert, and went into the ocean to seek eternal freedom.
The Theme and Symbolize of the book
The book is written around the theme of “Women’s Independence.” What I found intriguing was the progression in the symbolism of the sea, which is tightly related to Edna’s internal journey from fear to freedom and, ultimately, her tragic resolution.
Beginning (Serpents/Fear): Edna’s fear of the ocean is reflected in the initial depiction of the sea, with the serpent representing fear, danger, and seduction. Likewise, women’s freedom and independence were perceived as fear, risk, and unknown.
Conquering Swimming (Expanse of Water): As Edna learns to swim, the sea is now described as an expanse that could be perceived as a limitless space merging with the sky. The shift signifies her newfound confidence and realization of her potential for independence. The Sea now also embodies the boundless possibilities that freedom potentially offers to Edna. This is when Edna started to embrace her independence and desires.
After Breaking up with Robert (Serpent again): When Edna’s relationship with Robert ends, the sea is once again described as Serpent, a more menacing form. This return of the serpent suggests the resurgence of her fears and doubts as her emotional support crumbles, and she faces the harsh realities of her choices.
End (Sensual Embrace): Finally, the description of the sea at the end of the novel—sensuous and embracing—indicates Edna’s ultimate surrender to the idea of freedom, but now in a more permanent and absolute form.
The author used this trick to emphasize water’s freedom to be shaped into unlimited forms. I don’t recall any books changing the symbolism to change forms. It’s brilliant!
The Important Lessons I Learned from This Book
Independence and freedom come with consequences, so you need to be strong to withstand social rejection. When you start something completely new, you still need support from society. I understand that being independent can be challenging. I left Japan when I was 18 years old. Women are expected to stay local and get married. I am from a small city in Japan, and my actions can be considered peculiar. Most of my friend’s mother stayed home. My mother, who never stopped working after her two childbirths, influenced me a lot. I wanted to work, but it was impossible due to our bad economy. Back then, women had difficulties getting a permanent job. So, I saw the potential outside of Japan, so I left. It was hard, but I still had some support, ultimately making me who I am today. Remember, I still had some support. While Edna had almost no support at all. Chopin’s book highlights that true independence is not all about rejecting social norms; it also requires a robust support system and the ability to withstand the consequences.
Her book The Awakening was initially published. Some critics praised Chopin’s courage in challenging the norm of gender expectations at the time. Still, many gave negative criticism, claiming the book was too provocative to the point of being controversial. I found a fascinating picture of Kate Chopin’s letter to Herbert Stone in 1899. She asked her publisher, Herbert Stone, “What are the prospects for the book?” in the letter as her professional reputation as an author. Despite her efforts, her book, “A Vocation and a Voice,” was denied for publishing the following year. Her book was forgotten after she died in 1904 until the 1960s when it was picked as a landmark in feminist fiction.
I don’t think Edna’s choice was something I will embrace. I still see the great literature values in the book. I found the words in this novel to be beautiful. Most importantly, this progressive book was written in the late 19th century in the United States.
References
19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Women’s Right to Vote (1920). (2021, September 21). National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/19th-amendment
Making Modernism: Kate Chopin to Herbert Stone, 1899. (n.d.). Making Modernism. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://digital.newberry.org/scalar/making-modernism/kate-chopin-to-herbert-stone-1899
Yellen, J. L. (2020, May). The history of women’s work and wages and how it has created success for us all. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-history-of-womens-work-and-wages-and-how-it-has-created-success-for-us-all/