Conflicting Directions Of Ambitions in Kate Chopins The Awakening :: essays research papers

Often in novels, a character faces contraveneing directions of ambitions, wants, and influences. In such a novel, like &8220The Awakening, the main character, Edna Pontellier, faces these types of conflicting ideas. In a controversial era for women, Edna faces the conflict of living in oppression solely desiring freedom. The patriarchal time period has influenced women to live only under the economize&8217s thumb but at the same time, break away(p) from such repression. These opposing conflicts clear upd the meaning of &8220social awakening in the novel.In the first direction, the reader witnesses the era when women only existed to make the male happy. The main character Edna finds that she has nonhing to do different than stay in the syndicate bored, since even her children are raised and cared for by servants. Day after day, in all Edna is permitted to do is care for her husband and be there whenever he necessarily help or entertainment. Woman at that time could not vote , could not go out without a male escort, were not allowed to smoke in public, and were not allowed in the work place. These ideals set by the male operate society caused Edna to face her second trend of free will, conflicting with her other direction of oppression.When Edna felt dissatisfied with the conduct she is given, she pursues other ways in which to live more fully. She attempts painting and enters into an affair with another man. As her desire for freedom grows, she moves out of her husband&8217s house and tries to live life as she sees fit. She lives a life reflecting her new philosophies towards life, philosophies that are in conflict with that of society. The oppression by man caused Edna to have a social awakening, informative the meaning of the novel.In &8220The Awakening, the conflicting directions of oppression versus free will illuminate the meanings of social awakening and overcoming tyranny. Awakening from the slumber of patriarchal social convention, Edna must iness rouse herself from the life of dullness she has always lived.