Individualism In Kate Chopin's The Awakening

Individual will is a force that is significant, and yet can be manipulated by a more powerful source. In the Victorian Age setting within The Awakening by Kate Chopin, men have been manipulated by society. They are forced to reflect their norms on women. These norms have been caused repressive and manipulative behavior within men. Edna Pontellier, protagonist of the novel, confronts several men who confront her yearning for individualism. Each male plays a role ordained by society and as a result they develop characteristics that promote specific, yet conflicting images to the reader. Robert Lebrun is often see as a seductive man who plays the women he confronts. “Since the age of fifteen, which was eleven years before, Robert each summer

In the novel, during many instances, intricate intimacies are illustrated. “No multitude of words could have been more significant than those moments of silences, or more pregnant with the first-felt throbbings of desire.” (30) Robert, in pursuit of Edna unlocks her sexual awakening alongside his social awakening. Robert becomes aware that he must step out of the boundaries and evolve as a man. Yet Robert still stumbles in his path. He and Edna have a common bond. They both attempt to defy the norms of society. Robert respects Edna’s yearning for individualism and only seeks to accompany her on that journey by form of marriage. However, he struggles to fight what societal ordainment. He lacks the key to break societies chains. He can’t simply let go of the expectation of marriage within this era. On the contrary his relationship with Edna gives him an optimistic view on his love life. “His search has always hitherto been fruitless, and he has sunk back, disheartened, into the sea. But to-night he found Mrs. Pontelllier.” (29) His passion for Edna, conveys his innocent hope for repressive love between himself and Edna. He and Edna

He enforces his possessions and his role as a Victorian Age husband. He defies and remains blind to feminist action. He even expresses dissatisfaction to his own wife. “He thought it very discouraging that his wife, who was the sole object of his existence, evinced so little interest in things which concerned him, and valued so little his conversation.” (5) Leonce is a man who values the worth of a “perfect husband.” He provides money for Edna, departs on long trips, and on cares for his children. He favors the image of marriage far more the reality of it. He doesn’t deny what others ordain, instead he is just a player of the game. He follows along with the norms of society. In result, he finds absolutely nothing wrong with Edna’s position in society. He could not detect Edna’s urge to escape the society he encourages. For example, he refers to Edna more as an object than an individual. (5) He is blind and oblivious regarding Edna’s actions. He is a figure sought just to manipulate Edna along with the rest of society. Astonishingly, he isn’t obliviousness to the nature of society. “Why my dear, I should think you’d understand by this time that people don’t do such things; we’ve got to observe the conventions if we ever expect to get on and keep up with the procession.” (51) In one word, Leonce is a simpleton who follows under the rules established by society. He is heavily focused on