Motherhood In Kate Chopin's The Awakening

Today, there is a choice between visibility as an individual or conforming to the constraints of society that each person may decide between. However, this was not a choice for many throughout history, especially women. In the past, women were not encouraged to be themselves or strive for greatness (class). Rather, the women’s sphere was thought to be the home and family and they were encouraged to remain within their sphere. More specifically, in the late nineteenth century “Motherhood was viewed … as one of the most important contributions women could make to her family and to the nation” (Dr. Barbara Ewell). Because motherhood was such an important component of women's lives, developing distinct thoughts and actions was very challenging. In The Awakening by Kate Chopin, Edna Pontellier desires to formulate her own identity and questions what she wants to do with her life. Seeking to escape conformity, Edna explores

Barbara Ewell and her team in “The Role of the Wife and Mother”, “In the later nineteenth century things for women began to change.” This change was reflected, and even encouraged, in The Awakening. As women began to question their roles in society during the late nineteenth century, Edna also questions her role in the novel. With questioning also came exploration of other areas of involvement for women in both The Awakening and the world. As Edna searches for her role in society, exploring options, and ultimately pursuing her special interests, emotions, and beliefs, women who read The Awakening were encouraged to do the same. Therefore, the tension Edna faces between outward conformity and inward questioning contributes to the overall encouragement for interior questioning and exploration in order to achieve self-determination and individuality prevalent throughout the book. Without glossing over the more difficult details of gaining individuality, The Awakening also shows that efforts to claim rights may end up in