Edna's suicide in Kate Chopins 'The Awakening'

Studienarbeit aus dem Jahr 2004 im Fachbereich Anglistik - Literatur, Note: 1,3, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (Universität), Veranstaltung: Proseminar, Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: Kate Chopin's The Awakening is a masterpiece of feminist philosophy. It tells the story of Edna Pontellier, a wife and mother who realizes that her society does not allow her the possibility to be an autonomous individual human being. The play is set in the late nineteenth century. At that time, women were regarded as the possessions of their husbands and their main function was to give birth to children. In the course of the novel, Edna Pontellier undergoes a series of awakenings: she realizes she is not in love with her husband, discovers a sense of 'self' and begins to 'realize her position in the universe as a human being.'1 She discovers love and her long dormant sexuality and passions reawaken. When she thinks she has finally achieved independence and freed herself of her husband's ownership, she realizes that Robert, whom she loves and who returns her love, will not treat her any different than Léonce. Even Alcée, her roué, who satisfies her sexual desires, treats her as though she belonged to him. Edna begins to understand that there is no possibility for her to lead a life as a complete person in her society as she is obliged to fulfil her role as a mother. Not wanting to sacrifice her soul for her children she commits suicide in the sea. In the following pages I will discuss and analyze the reasons for her suicide and show that it can be seen as a failure on Edna's part: She did not drown herself in the sea simply because she could not be with Robert. On the contrary she was unable to set herself above the limitations furnished by her society and I will illustrate how this, together with her responsibilities as a mother, plays a very important role in her decision to end her life.