Moral Ambiguity In The Awakening

Throughout literature, authors have utilized morally ambiguous characters to explore complex themes and add a layer of intrigue to the stories they tell. This is particularly evident in Kate Chopin’s novel The Awakening, where the protagonist Edna Pontellier is a prime example of such a morally ambiguous figure. The Awakening depicts the story of Edna, a woman within a conventional Creole society, and her journey in recognizing and fulfilling her true calling. She struggles with marital status, motherly duties, and personal goals. Arguably the most complex character in the novel, Edna is neither wholly evil nor good, but rather she exists in a space in between the two where her moral ambiguity serves as a vehicle to explore both the larger

The most apparent manner in which Chopin presents Edna’s moral ambiguity is through her actions and how they contradict her image. Particularly, this essence is most evident in moments where Edna achieves a new accomplishment or makes certain meaningful decisions for herself. Throughout The Awakening, Edna is continuously learning about what she is capable of and takes drastic steps towards her ultimate awakening as an individual. One of the first instances Chopin presents is when Edna first swam in the sea: “She wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before…She would not join the groups in their sports and bouts, but intoxicated with her newly conquered power, she swam out alone” (Chopin 30). Chopin is able to capture the barrage of feelings Edna experienced at this very moment. Despite her prior swimming failures, Edna was able to demonstrate to herself that she could swim. A sudden yearning to jump in and swim overcame Edna, and she had the strength to give in to her wishes. With the exception of Edna, everyone else in the Creole society surrounding her could swim with ease, which only served to further isolate her. This is the peak of Edna's development

Edna's struggle to reconcile her desires against traditional expectations provides insight into her moral and ethical dilemmas. Looking closely at her relationships with both of these men, Chopin elucidates Edna's changing understanding of morality and what is truly meaningful in her life. By examining Edna's interaction and feelings for both Leonce and Robert, Chopin provides a glimpse into her inner moral confusion and her eventual decision to choose an unconventional path. As a married woman, Edna frequently interacts with Robert without divulging the truth to Leonce. Though Robert and Edna both recognize the potentially scandalous nature of their relationship, he willingly engages and encourages Edna's feelings for him. In this way, his morals are also murky; he both earnestly expresses his affections and attempts to suppress them. Chopin often depicts Edna as being “under the spell of her infatuation” with Robert (56). Robert serves an essential role in Edna's journey for self-discovery, especially in regard to creating an identity distinct from societal norms. Robert's moral ambiguity is integral to the work as a whole, as it creates space for Edna's exploration of her own ambiguity, autonomy, freedom, and independence. Despite her initial pleasure in this unconventional relationship, Edna decides to abandon