Feminist Perspective Essay

Feminist Perspective in “The Awakening” In The Awakening, Chopin describes how the perfect man or woman should look according to society. The Awakening was published in 1899 which “aroused a storm of controversy for its then unprecedented treatment of female independence and sexuality, and for its unromantic portrayal of marriage.” (Chopin, 1899, Note) Women were expected to be obedient housewives and a doting mother to their children. The statement; “If it was not a women’s place to look after children, who’s on earth was it?” (Chopin, 1899, chap 3) denotes what the woman’s responsibilities are in a marriage. Chopin uses the characters: Edna, Leonce, Madame Ratignolle and Robert Lebrun to show how marriage, independence, equal rights and freedom are portrayed in the novel, The Awakening. Leonce Pontellier was a forty year old, slender, medium built man with straight brown hair parted to one side. When Chopin describes, “since it seemed to be the law of society that hair must be parted and brushed” (Chopin, 1899, chap 4) it shows how society expects a man’s appearance to be. Leonce was away on business often and would send a box full of fruits, bon bons, and delicious syrups in abundance. Mr. Pontellier was often away from home on business trips. To make up for the time spent away from home he would send these luscious treats. The women were envious of how much Mr. Pontellier cared for Edna. Chopin best describes how other women see Mr. and Mrs. Pontellier’s relationship when she states; “selecting with dainty and discriminating fingers and a little greedily, all declared that Mr. Pontellier was the best husband in the world” (Chopin, 1899, chap 3) while sharing the tasty treats sent. Mr. Pontellier was a very materialistic man and even when he looked at his wife after being in the sun states “you are burnt beyond recognition, he added, looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of property which has suffered some damage.” (Chopin, 1899, chap 1) shows