The Role Of Motherhood In The Awakening By Kate Chopin

Motherhood is a lifelong commitment that necessitates responsibility and sacrifice. Edna Pontellier is a young mother of two boys living in Grand Isle. Being in the late 1800’s, she has a woman-mother role in society, which is to care for the husband and idolize the children. Edna, who does not correspond with the natural or societal structures of motherhood, realizes it is impossible for her to accept her imposed role in life, for she feels that she cannot gain her independence from such. In The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, Edna Pontellier is a horrible mother towards her two children due to her irresponsibility and selfishness, and her overall lack of maternal affection.

Because of her lack of responsibility and obligation, as well as her negligence,

Her desire to be alone and to leave the husband with all the maternal responsibilities indicates she is more interested in her

Motherhood requires sacrifice, something Edna is not ready to commit to. Because she is a mother, she feels that she cannot gain freedom or individuality. She begins to unknowingly grow a resentment towards her children, viewing them as a force holding her back from her dream of independence. She views them as adversaries in a vision where she only wants to see Robert.. Edna’s feelings towards her own children are completely and utterly narcissistic, for she values lust over her own kin. She has thought of her consideration for her children, who appear before her like “antagonists who had overcome her; who had overpowered and sought to drag her into the soul’s slavery for the rest of her days” (Chopin 155). Not only is Edna not willing to sacrifice her lust over her own children, but she is also not prepared to sacrifice herself. When speaking to Madame Ratignolle, she explains that while she is willing to give up the unessential for her children, such as money, she is not willing to give up herself. Motherhood requires a commitment to give up certain elements in favor of the children. Edna’s choice to prioritize herself over her own sons represents her selfishness as a mother. Likewise, because of her desire for individuality, she exhibits her selfishness by placing her happiness at the forefront of everything. By doing so, she abandons her