Term Paper on "Naturalism in Kate Chopin's "The Awakeing"

Term Paper 3 pages (1102 words) Sources: 15

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Naturalism in Kate Chopin's "The Awakeing"

When Kate Chopin wrote the Awakening, several themes were popular in the literature. One of these was naturalism, or the belief that natural forces, such as heredity, environment and physical and emotional drives motivate people to act as they do. This book includes numerous examples on how naturalism impacts Edna Pontellier's values, thoughts and actions. More importantly, it shows what happens when one's natural inclinations conflict with an awakening of unconventional and "unnatural" desires. Although Edna can rationally negate the Victorian society's standard of the mother and wife role, she is unable to counter the instinctive hold that her role as caregiver has on her.

In Victorian times, women were primarily recognized as mothers and wives or, as in the Awakening, even possessions of their husband. In several instances, the book's characters confirm this role. For example, in an early scene, Mr. Pontellier criticizes Edna for not attending her sick child and worries that she is not a proper mother. Although these demands on women are part of the patriarchal society, they are based on the belief that women bear the children in the human species and have, or should have, an innate need to nurture and protective their children.

Edna is a complex character who has many sides to her nature. Part of her recognizes the need, in fact is inwardly driven, to be a good mother. She loves her children very much and tries to honor and love her husband for his goodness. For instance, even when she "awakens" and leaves her prison of a home behind, she does not similarly leave her connection as a mother and ever stop thinking of her children. When she visits them for a week in February, "How glad she was to see the children! She wept for very pleasure when she felt their little arms clasping her; their hard, ruddy cheeks pressed against her own glowing cheeks. She looked into their faces with hungry eyes that could not be satisfied with looking. And what stories they had to tell their mother!" (93). "It was with a wrench and a pang that Edna left her children. She carried away with her the sound of their voices and the touch of their cheeks. All along the journey homeward their presence lingered with her like the memory of a delicious song."

As a woman, Edna also has the natural instinct to be a nurse, a helper to other women. When Edna and Robert once again meet when he returns from Mexico, she declares both her love and personal guarantee that she now has the fortitude and freedom to be his lover. "Now you are here we shall love each other, my Robert," she states. "We shall be everything to each other. Nothing else in the world is of any consequence" (107). Yet, at that moment, Edna is called away to aid Adele. Once again, she has a decision: to go and fulfill her womanly mission of being a caretaker or stay away from her natural responsibility in life. She says, "I must go to my friend; but you will wait for me? No matter how late; you will wait for me, Robert?" "Don't go; don't go! Oh! Edna, stay with me," he pleaded. "Why should you go? Stay with… READ MORE

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