How Does Adle Ratignolle's Portrayal Of Women In Society

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During the time period that The Awakening was written, men were known to portray dominance over women and always have more say than women were to ever have. However, in this novel the women portrayed broke out of the social norm, something that was not ideal and a shock to most to most women of the 19th century. Because of the language and characteristics used in the novel, a new way of life emerges for women. In Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, Adele Ratignolle’s stereotypical family lifestyle and Mademoiselle Reisz’s private yet driven life help Edna reflect on her goals and the type of lifestyle she wants to pursue.
Adele Ratignolle, a women of pure beauty and perfection, depicts someone that every man at the time wants to marry. Within the …show more content…

Her individualistic lifestyle convinces Edna to pursue a life just like Mademoiselle Reisz’s. Mademoiselle Reisz is described as a woman “with a small weazened face and body and eyes that [glow]. She had absolutely no taste in dress, and wore a batch of rusty black lace with a bunch of artificial violets…” (Chopin 28). Unlike Adele, Mademoiselle Reisz has no interest in beauty and looking perfect. She does not see the purpose in impressing others and instead chooses to just live her own private life. After playing a piano piece for Edna, Mademoiselle Reisz asks Edna what she thought of it, Edna “was unable to answer. Mademoiselle Reisz perceived her agitation and even her tears. She patted her again on the shoulder as she said: You are the only one worth playing for” (Chopin 31). The music speaks to Edna as she becomes emotionally attached to the music not able to control her tears. Reisz is the only one that understands the way Edna is feeling and shows sympathy to Edna through her musical talent. Edna goes to visit Mademoiselle Reisz later on to Edna’s love, Robert, and her interest in becoming an artist. Mademoiselle Reisz tells Edna that “the artist must possess the courageous soul. The soul that dares and defies” (Chopin 74). The teachings that Reisz has been teaching Edna, inspire

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