How Does Adle Ratignolle's Portrayal Of Women In Society

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

first few pages of the novel, Adele’s beauty is widely known and “there are no words to describe her. . . there was nothing subtle or hidden about her charms; her beauty [is] all there, flaming, and apparent” (Chopin 11). Adele is portrayed with all the ideals society regards should be the standard for all women to live by. She is a perfect example of what Edna is suppose to act like and model, but shows no interest in doing so. Being her selfish self, Edna begins to argue trying to prove her outlook on raising a family by saying that she "would give up the unessential; would give [her] money, would give [her] life for [her] children; but [she] wouldn't give [herself]” (Chopin 56). Disagreeing with Edna, Adele acts in distress asking her “what [she] would call the essential, or what [she means] by the unessential” (Chopin 56). Edna does not believe that children are more important than herself and does not think that they are worth more than her own self. Adele is puzzled by Edna’s statement and cannot accept the fact that a woman would ever say something so harsh and distressing about children. In utter despair, Adele questions Edna on having a family of her own and her perspective on life in general. Acting on the typical duties of a woman, Adele undertakes the responsibility of a perfect housewife and mother, a complete turnoff for the life Edna plans on living.
Mademoiselle Reisz, another female character in the novel, represents an impertinent and disrespectful woman who at times can act foolish, a type of personality that attracts Edna’s mind.

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

Edna to strive to live a life just like Mademoiselle Reisz. Reisz tells Edna to not be shy of pursuing her dreams and tells her to not listen to what anyone has to say about her desires. However, in order to accomplish all this, Reisz tells Edna that she needs to have the courage and bravery to stand up for herself and not be let down by the comments of others. Mademoiselle Reisz chooses to live a life of her own, focusing on herself as an individual and nobody else around her.
The women of this novel all face moral and social issues that ruin the typical standards women were meant to live by during this era. Women had the choice of living in isolation and making own standards to follow or they could live on what society set the typical ideals for women to follow. Mademoiselle Reisz and Adele illustrate each of these choices and live completely opposite lives. By meeting these women, Edna can come to a consensus on which way she wants to live her life. Through everyday experiences, Edna eventually comes to an understanding of who she is and the life she looks forward to living.