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Identity In Chopin's The Awakening

134 Words1 Pages
At the opening of Chopin’s story, the reader is presented with an unremarkable protagonist, whose characteristics — outside of her heart trouble — are left unclear. Instead, the passage focuses on the event surrounding her, her husband’s death. While atypical, this choice is highly symbolic, demonstrating how Mrs. Mallard’s life revolves around her husband — even in death. Correspondingly, it draws attention to the lack of identity of 19th century women, who serve moreso as extensions of their husbands than people in their own right. The protagonist’s bland personality is further highlighted by her stereotypical reaction to her husband’s death, as she devolves into a “storm of grief” (Chopin 3). By drawing attention to her orthodox response,
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