Edna Pontellier: The Difference Between Imprisoned And Misguided

Edna Pontellier: The Difference Between Imprisoned and Misguided

Words, in containing inherent personal connotations, are undoubtedly a subjective field. When combined into an intricate sequence, such as a book, there is infinite possibility in meaning. For instance, in Kate Chopin’s novella, “The Awakening,” the main character Edna Pontellier acts in opposition to social norms to eventually meet her death. However, this sequence of events can be read in numerous different ways, such as a tale of liberation from the confines of society or a cautionary tale about false identities. Such massive separation in understanding depends on how the reader interprets the course of events, in particular the diction and characterization, which in turn serves

as a reflection of personal identity.
Arguably the most widely accepted perception, the text is often seen as a feminist text, groundbreaking for its time.

Edna shatters even simple gender standards for the time: her roles as mother, wife, and woman. Swiftly introduced is her distaste for her children, as Mr. Pontellier confronts Edna about their children, mentioning “her inattention, her habitual neglect of the children,” (Chopin 9). Her lack of care was maintained until the very last section of the book, where she references her children as “little antagonists who...sought to drag her into the soul’s slavery for the rest of her days,” (Chopin 125). Mr. Pontellier’s use of the term “neglect” implies that she had a concrete duty to take care of them, yet her use of the the inherently villainous terms of “antagonists” and “slavery” characterizes a deep resentment for her children. This contrast between the common, societal expectation of a caring mother and her role as a hateful bystander to her children shows a deviation from standards for mothers to be nurturing. She doesn’t act conventionally; in fact, she resides on the complete opposite side of the behavioral spectrum, demonstrating a blatant disobedience of convention in favor of female choice, a cornerstone of feminism. Meanwhile, her relationship with Robert Lebrun is a clear instance of her choosing to defy society. An extramarital affair would be astoundingly taboo, yet Edna spends great lengths of time with Robert, eventually disclosing to Mademoiselle

Reisz that she loved him holistically (Chopin 87). Their relationship, concurrent with her marriage, defies the image of a demure, obedient, and smitten housewife. Edna rebels with Robert, whether through a simple dip in the ocean or divergence of thoughts, exploring herself and denouncing her domestic role, another cause that seems heavily aligned with feminist missions. Finally, even on the most basic level as a woman, Edna recounts “beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being...perhaps more wisdom than the Holy Ghost is usually pleased to vouchsafe to any woman,” (Chopin 17). As Edna faces personal insights, she acknowledges that it’s beyond that which is stereotypically bestowed to the average woman, which is reinforced later in the novel as Madame Ratignolle is admonished by a young man--”it isn’t pleasant to have a woman tell you”--for disclosing knowledge (Chopin 24). By the distaste reflected in the diction of “usually pleased” and “isn’t pleasant”, it is clear that, though passive aggressively, society seems to highly oppose the progression of women beyond objectification, into personhood complete with opinions and knowledge, of which aligns with another common feminist perspective.
However, despite her rejection of social roles in favor of feminism, the anguish Edna underwent throughout the book must not be ignored.

Due to the sheer volume of unpleasantry, it can be seen how Chopin might convey a warning against rebellion after commitment. Edna is characterized as not being a “motherwoman”, her children’s absence serving to “free her of a responsibility which she had blindly assumed and for which Fate had not fitted her,” (Chopin 12, 22). This rejection of her children is cause for much criticism of her, especially by her husband, who frequently chides her to frustration and tears. This unpleasant reaction may serve to display how her unhappiness with her maternal situation is negligible because of her choice to become a mother. Her responsibility was “blindly assumed” only in that she conformed to standards inappropriate for her personally; her actual having of the children wasn’t accidental, and therefore, she faces retribution for refusing to fulfil her obligations in the role she accepted. Additionally, as a wife, Edna discusses how “Her husband seemed to her now like a person whom she had married without love as an excuse,” (Chopin 83), yet Chopin also details how Leonce “fell in love...his absolute devotion flattered her,” while Edna attributes their union to “the decrees of Fate” (Chopin 21). Both aspects represented demonstrates how Edna’s marriage was a choice, a commitment to Leonce Pontellier that she failed to upkeep, and is therefore

punished, whether by the lack of comprehension by her peers or the abandonment of her partners. Though she blames fate, she is still the one receiving penalty, therefore exhibiting the concept that her choices must be honored, the neglect of which will lead to discontent. Even in her role as a woman, something she could not choose herself, she envies the Creole women’s “entire absence of prudery” which “seemed to be inborn and unmistakable,” (Chopin 13). She envies that which is a choice about them, their freedom of expression, yet refuses to make that same choice likely out of unconscious regard for the path she had already chosen, one filled with conservatism. In devoting herself to a falsehood, she damned herself to the prison of identity she rebels against.
The sheer complexity of Edna as a woman discovering herself while already devoted to a life she couldn’t honor allows for numerous readings, all of which depends on the reader’s perception of Edna’s scenario as a soul imprisoned by society or misguided by personal choices. This personalized reading then demonstrates to the reader what their affinities are as far as understanding, bringing greater insight to the audience in general no matter the perception.