The Awakening Women
Following the Civil War, a reconstruction era began, devoted to gain equal rights for African Americans. Multiple amendments were ratified to give African American unheard of rights in the United States, such as citizenship and voting power. However, while the great advancement of African American rights occurred, women were left behind, powerless and with no real purpose. Author Kate Chopin moved from the Saint Louis, where she lived a simple life with her many children, to the south, transferring into the aristocratic community. Consequently her role in society shifted, forcing her to attend plenty of social gatherings, and to become a more domesticated wife after marrying slave owner Oscar Chopin. (#Author of Storm#) says, “In her diary,
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As industrial and technological advancements encroached on the conservative southern lifestyle, many attempted to block it. (#Name OF Author for AC#), who writes for Literary Themes for Students, states that, “A strict moral code was thought to be part of the solution, one which clearly defined gender roles and expectations” (122). The new enforcement of social norms forced women to question their roles in society, and is the main obstacle in the path of Chopin’s female protagonists. One of these protagonists, Edna from The Awakening, feels the pressure of the overbearing Victorian society. As (#Author of AC#) states, “Cultural norms indicated that a woman’s place was in the home, and woman who resisted that role was subject to discrimination and ridicule” (114). Edna, who shares similarities with many of Chopin’s female protagonist, longs for individual freedom, but also shares the fear of judgment from society. Ultimately she abandons her role, turning to adultery and other rebellious acts, in order to fight back against the South’s oppression of women. Similarly, in Odaline Misses Mass, female protagonist Odaline skips mass in order to spend time with a fragile African American lady. The importance of mass in the story symbolizes the South’s strict way of life where structure and class dominate. Odaline breaks both these ideals by missing mass to spend time with an African American lady while Odaline herself is white. On page four of the story, Odaline says, “Don’ fret, Aunt Pinky - I’m goin’ - to stay with - you” (Chopin). This line illustrates the feminine will to stay with their
As industrial and technological advancements encroached on the conservative southern lifestyle, many attempted to block it. (#Name OF Author for AC#), who writes for Literary Themes for Students, states that, “A strict moral code was thought to be part of the solution, one which clearly defined gender roles and expectations” (122). The new enforcement of social norms forced women to question their roles in society, and is the main obstacle in the path of Chopin’s female protagonists. One of these protagonists, Edna from The Awakening, feels the pressure of the overbearing Victorian society. As (#Author of AC#) states, “Cultural norms indicated that a woman’s place was in the home, and woman who resisted that role was subject to discrimination and ridicule” (114). Edna, who shares similarities with many of Chopin’s female protagonist, longs for individual freedom, but also shares the fear of judgment from society. Ultimately she abandons her role, turning to adultery and other rebellious acts, in order to fight back against the South’s oppression of women. Similarly, in Odaline Misses Mass, female protagonist Odaline skips mass in order to spend time with a fragile African American lady. The importance of mass in the story symbolizes the South’s strict way of life where structure and class dominate. Odaline breaks both these ideals by missing mass to spend time with an African American lady while Odaline herself is white. On page four of the story, Odaline says, “Don’ fret, Aunt Pinky - I’m goin’ - to stay with - you” (Chopin). This line illustrates the feminine will to stay with their