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Mothers In Kate Chopin's The Awakening

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There are different types of mothers in this world. Kate Chopin states that Edna Pontellier is “not a mother-woman”. What does this mean? A mother-woman is one who makes sacrifices and devotes her life to their children and husband. A mother-woman never puts herself before her children. Edna loves her children but she isn’t type of mother who worries excessively or “babies” her children.
Edna’s husband Leonce questioned her devotion to the children. One evening Leonce was concerned that one of the children had a fever. Edna didn’t rush to the child because she was sure he didn’t have a fever. Leonce had to re-approach Edna due to her inattention and neglect of the children (Gilbert & Gubar, p. 1257). Edna doesn’t over react when the children get bumps or …show more content…

Edna isn’t as happy being a wife and mother as the other women. Unlike the other women, she doesn’t let her marriage or children enslave her. She starts to pull away from her responsibilities and has instances of rebellion against the stereotypical housewife and mother. At one-point Madame Ratignolle is sewing winter clothing for her children, while Edna is painting. She isn’t worried about winter; she wants to enjoy her summer.
Throughout the story she has several experiences that stir the emotions inside her. One of those instances was after listening to mademoiselle Reisz play the piano Chopin states “But the very passions themselves were aroused within her soul, swaying it, as the waves daily beat upon her splendid body” (Gilbert & Gubar, p. 1273).
After she and her family return to New Orleans she gets more serious about her painting. She also starts to go to the track. She eventually moves out of the house with money she earned by selling her paintings and her earnings at the track. She thoroughly enjoys her independence. She was urged by her friend Madame Ratignolle to think of the children, but she

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