The Awakening

The Awakening Response

Through the first 27 chapters of The Awakening, Edna comes across as a defiant character who should be applauded for her new "rebellious" way of thinking and living. Edna's character seems to be very far ahead of her time considering this book was first published in 1899. We as readers from 2007 who believe in equal rights for all individuals, should approve of Edna's quest and hope she can fulfill her dreams.

Edna's thoughts and desires to gain independence at the time could be looked upon as revolutionary. Throughout the first half of this story, Edna constantly disobeys her husband. This first occurs when Edna refuses to come into the house when she is relaxing on the hammock outside. "She could not at that moment have done other than denied and resisted. She wondered if her husband had ever spoken to her like that before, and if she had submitted to his command. Of course she had; she remembered that she had. But she could not realize why or how she should have yielded, feeling as she then did."

The conversation between Leonce and Doctor Mandalet was a great portrayal of how men thought women should be treated. This conversation especially gives us readers a 'bad guy' to root against, as we continue to cheer for Edna to gain her independence in the world. Leonce says "She's got some sort of notion in her head concerning the eternal rights of women..." The doctor answers with "Has she been associating of late with a circle of pseudo-intellectual women?" As readers we hate to see people looking down on other people as less than them. To call a group of women pseudo-intellectuals is about as offensive as you could be.

The Awakening

by Kate Chopin