Epiphany In The Awakening

In 1899, society bestowed a norm on women that includes solely maintaining their household and maintaining an honorable name. However, The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, characterizes women in a way they had never been written before, taking the standard role of woman away and giving them their own voice and needs. Chopin utilizes two women on opposite ends of the spectrum of society to compare Edna, the protagonist, to as she beings her journey through her transformation of morals and beliefs. During the late 1800s, creole women carry the responsibility of being beautiful mothers, who devote their lives to their families indefinitely. A Woman is considered the property of her husband, making sure that he is cared for and content at all times,

Ratignolle and starts associating with Mademoiselle Reisz. As Edna and Mademoiselle Reisz’s relationship grows, so does Edna’s need for change and her admiration of Robert increases. Mademoiselle Reisz does not condone Edna’s love for Robert, yet, she does not attempt to talk Edna out of it. The only response Mademoiselle Reisz expresses to Edna’s feelings for Robert is, “Why do you love him when you ought not to? (Chopin 78)” This does not effect the way Edna feels though, and eventually concludes with an affair with Robert. These affairs Edna becomes intertwined with is her greatest disregard for her husband, as well as, her attempt to become happy with who she is. Edna eventually realizes that she is her own person and is not the property of any man in society. She reacts to this by buying a different house with money she inherited from her mother, earned from her art, as well as, gambling on horse races. In actuality all the money belongs to her husband, because woman can not own property. She views this money as her own, that she earned and can do whatever she pleases with it. Edna does not realize the significants of this when she acts, but by the end recognizes her own self-worth, she expresses this to