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Justification For Suicide In Kate Chopin's The Awakening

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Ellie Schwartz Intro to Lit. B4 While there is arguably no justification for suicide, in the novel The Awakening by Kate Chopin, it is Edna’s act of freedom. The time period in which it happens, and the events that lead up to it only give a clear explanation that all she wants is freedom. Edna can be viewed as selfish in this situation but with the circumstances she was under and the thought process she thoroughly dissected, it is very clear Edna’s rebellion toward her life in society was not selfish at all, however done in an act of freedom. In the society that Edna is living in, she continuously searches for freedom. She feels as if being independent is not an option, especially in a society that does not accept women. Edna searches for freedom anywhere she can grasp it because no one understands her, “He did not know; he did not understand” (116). Robert was the “he” in her pre-suicidal self talk. Robert never understands her just like everybody else in her family. As she kills herself she feels that she is escaping the world that does not understand her or accept her and thus gaining freedom. …show more content…

She clearly thinks about every possible impact that her death may have on a person and is very careful about her way of killing herself, therefore not acting selfishly because she took time to think of everyone, “She thought of Leonce and the children. They were a part of her life. But they need not have thought that they could possess her, body and soul” (116). Edna would not have any satisfaction going back to her children and Leonce because she would feel as if she restricts her own freedom by choice. Her whole thought process involves making her suicide looking like an accident so that there is no faulty feeling by anyone in the family. Her suicide allows her freedom in an unselfishly manner because of her thoroughly planned out attack that set her

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Kate Chopin's The Awakening details the story of Edna Pontellier, a woman who was expected to do what men wanted them to do. Women like Edna were expected to be naturally good and to follow their husband’s ideas right after marriage. However, as she grows as both a person and a woman, she begins to feel signs of change that she feels is necessary. Edna realizes that she must leave the life she is currently living to fulfill her desires and personal needs. Soon, she feels the hopelessness of her cause; society doesn't accept her independence and must find another way to live her life.

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Kate Chopin'sThe Awakening ends with Edna Pontellier's suicide after a long period of self-realization. This self-realization leads her to the conclusion that the  life she knew does not fit her mindset any more.  Edna also realizes that society's expectations of her does not fit her new mindset. Rather than spending the rest of her life in a loveless marriage, and sacrificing herself  for motherhood, she takes the time to explore her true emotions, but the only way for her to  figure out her true emotions is by  leaving  behind her duties as a mother and a wife; by having  a love affair, and by removing herself physically and mentally from the picture. Edna had said over and over to herself: “To-day it is Arobin; to-morrow it will be some one else.

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