The Awakening by Kate Chopin

Emma

Honors American Literature

Period 3

December 9, 2013

Rhetorical Précis Writing

The Awakening

        In “The Awakening” (1899), Kate Chopin asserts that escape from jurisdiction by others transcends the value of safety.  She supports this claim by having her main character (Edna) convey her sexuality and to awaken from her tedious life and finally begin to enjoy it for the first time ever. Chopin’s purpose is to demonstrate identity of one’s self in order to gain independence that is difficult to come by for Victorian women at the time. Kate Chopin outwardly addresses women, and active feminists in this book because it supports their rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.

        In “The Awakening,” Chopin provides socially acceptable “roles” that Edna could alter towards. It portrays stereotypes while criticizing cultural attachment to those stereotypes. Edna’s husband, Mr. Pontellier, creates room for Edna to become less mother-like and give up her morals “if one of the little Pontellier boys took a tumble, ... he was not to rush crying to his mother’s arm for comfort; he would pick himself up … and go on” (Chopin 16). Throughout the story Edna declares that she is not a possession, and that she alone has the power to give herself to someone other than Mr. Pontellier “I am not longer one of Mr. Pontellier’s possessions to dispose of or not. I give myself where I choose” (Chopin 178). When published in 1899, “The Awakening” immediately created a controversy. Society at the time, were shocked by Chopin’s study; creating a woman with active sexual desires, who dares to leave her family behind and have an affair.

        The purpose of my presentation is to introduce the conflict and plot as to how some women of that particular time felt trapped to the appropriate audience. I will exploit the points of interest that exist in “The Awakening” through my presentation by addressing common themes found in the book, then symbolism of Victorian women and its era. The audience will comprehend the Victorian era, and experience its harsh stereotypes through display.

        Throughout the story, several birds are seen as Edna walks past them. Mademoiselle Reisz’s says to Edna “the bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings.” Mademoiselle Reisz pep-talks Edna into giving her courage to disobey society. “The Awakening” represents what we, as a nation, have become today. Edna may be portrayed as selfish because she acts out her rebellion of convention. Edna represents revolution and disobedience because she refuses to sacrifice her integrity by putting her life in the hands of controlling powers, such as Victorian men of that era. We are introduced to realism, a movement in the early 19th century that focused on reporting aspects of “common” life.  “The Awakening” is a bold piece of writing, which upset many nineteenth century expectations for women and their supposed roles, but it stands as one of the most influential pieces for America.