Summary Of The Social Class In Kate Chopin's The Awakening

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One of the most important parts when using a Marxist perspective to examine a piece of literature is the investigation of the various social classes that exist within the writing. Doing so enables the reader to achieve a more globalized perspective on the story, with factors such as economic advantages and hierarchical relations being taken into consideration. The social classes that are represented in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening are the Bourgeoisie, who control every aspect of society, and the Proletariat, whose oppression supports the lifestyles of the elite.

Being from the perspective of Edna Pontellier, a wealthy Southern woman, the class of people that are represented within the story is restricted. The strong relationships that Edna …show more content…

Edna’s view of the nurse reflected the Bourgeois mindset of superiority. “The quadroon nurse was looked upon as a huge encumbrance, only good to button up waists and panties and to brush and part hair; since it seemed to be a law of society that hair must be parted and brushed” (10). This shows the continuity of racial prejudice throughout the South, even after slavery was abolished. The specific diction of the nurse being “quadroon” (¼ black), creates another layer of social separation. Any traces of black lineage automatically placed a person in a lower social position. The jobs that most African Americans held as slaves were the same as the ones given by the wealthy Southerners after their emancipation. These jobs, such as brushing and parting hair, were central to the lifestyles of these elite, attributing to the desire to continue the tradition of black oppression. Without this institutionalized racism, the structure of Southern society would’ve become much more equal, causing the Bourgeoisie to lose much of their coveted power. The lack of resources of many freed slaves enabled the existing powers to exert their will much more easily. Out of economic necessity, black citizens were forced to take jobs they didn’t necessarily desire, in turn fueling their own …show more content…

“The ice-cream was passed around with cake-gold and silver cake arranged on platters in alternate slices; it had been made and frozen during the afternoon back of the kitchen by two black women, under the supervision of Victor” (32). In this instance, the dessert being served at Edna’s party was created as a result of work done by black servants. However, these servants did not receive any of the admiration (or even recognition) for their work, with Victor being the one claiming the credit. The socially common event of a dinner party was a result of the efforts that the Proletariat put forth, forming the scaffolding upon which wealthy Southern society was built. This work was hidden by the glamorous facade that the elite developed in an effective attempt to brighten the image of their existence. However, no new changes actually took place, and the self-images and egos of the elite were undamaged by any knowledge of the dark underside to their

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