The Awakening, and Selected Sh
About The Awakening, and Selected Sh
Chopin wrote The Awakening in 1899 about Edna and her struggles with social attitudes toward women. It is also about how she perceives herself and who she actually is. In Louisana a wife was legal property of the husband. The story tells the struggle and desires of a woman with a want of free spirit, unrestrained life vs what was normal social behaviors expected in New Orleans of the perfect Mother, Wife and Social Hostess.
Edna loves the fresh feeling music, painting, living independently of her family, and the passion of another gives her. As she finds this self expression she is self absorbed and the consequences? she loses the support around her. In the end her detachment from her young boys and that responsiblitiy of motherhood are too overwhelming.