Natalia Cardozo Mrs. Settembrino American Literature Honors 10 May 2024 Women Against The World: The Awakening Throughout the evolution of women’s rights, women have been perceived as a low-ranking class: Why have their needs been rejected? It seems as though when women’s issues are publicly discussed, society strikes to diminish and shut them down. Kate Chopin’s nineteenth-century novel, The Awakening, was highly criticized for exploring topics surrounding individuality among women, societal norms, and sexual desires. The novel follows the journey of Edna Pontellier, a young woman who awakens to her desires and finds herself on a quest to reach independence from societal expectations and traditional gender roles. Although heavily criticized early after its publication, The Awakening transcends initial controversy. It remains an …show more content…
For example, “I always feel so sorry for women who don’t like to walk; they miss so much.many rare little glimpses of life; and we women learn so little of life on the whole” (Chopin 165). This emphasizes the richness and complexity of life and how women who are held back and have little to no experience miss out on feelings of freedom and independence. Though it was initially criticized when first released, Kate Chopin’s novel, The Awakening, has persisted as a significant work in American literature. Its exploration of themes such as individualism and feminism resonates with all women from the nineteenth century to the modern day. Understanding the relevance and controversies of The Awakening illustrates the struggles faced by women in past areas, which serves as a reminder to advocate for gender equality. The novel and the criticism it has received demonstrate how far society has come concerning women’s roles and rights. However, how far have we truly come in addressing societal norms restricting women’s