Awakening by Kate Chopin In "The Awakening", Chopin portrays a character, Edna Pontellier, who has identity issues with the traditional gender norms that are present in the Victorian society of the time. Edna is described in ways that would not fulfill the traditional feminine stereotype of the period, and that she is not content with the roles that she plays as a wife and mother. The author ascribes to Edna traits that seem more masculine in nature than descriptions of other characters in the story. The societies reliance on various social norms makes this story is relevant in today's contemporary period as gender issues are still a polarizing issue. However, today's issues are on a different scale by comparison, and comparing and contrasting the social norms of these two periods offers interesting insights in regards to how...
In the beginning of the story, Edna is first described as "handsome" and is contrasted with her Adele who is described with more of the feminine norms that are expected of females in the Victorian period in which the story takes place (Chopin, 2012). Although the descriptions of Edna are beginning to set the stage for her issues with her identity early in the story, her character must go through a series of revelations before she comes to terms with her inner longings that are largely gender independent. "In short, Mrs. Pontellier was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an individual to the world within and about her" is used by the author to describe the beginning of this journey.
As she explains to the reader: "I felt no fear of him, and but little shyness. Had he been a handsome heroic-looking young gentleman, I should not have dared to stand thus questioning him against his will, and offering my services unasked. I had hardly ever seen a handsome youth; never in my life spoken to one" (idem, 173). The young woman who was actually full of energy and eager
Gender Female-fronted Irish pop band The Cranberries address issues related to gender and sexuality tacitly in the song "Animal Instinct." The song lyrics do not overtly discuss feminist discourse, although the music video for the song does. Issues related to compulsory heterosexuality, the dual character and double standard for women, and gender roles are all topics addressed in "Animal Instinct" and its music video. The content or theme of the song
The figures that, during the novel, have the greatest role in shaping Edna Pontellier's character, and therefore the figures from whom she must escape, are her husband and children. It is her role as wife and mother that is supposed to define her, as it did for much of recorded history. Women were thought to have very little value outside of the home, especially in the higher classes (when it
As previously mentioned, Crisp is openly homosexual and his exhibitionist impulses and self-destructive behavior motivates the struggle within his life vs. unoriginal heroic desire. Similarly to Dil who lives his life, at times showing self-destruction as she guns down Jude and ties up Fergus, by her own rules, choosing to be a woman amidst a time when being transgendered was severely frowned upon. The journey for both Crisp and Dil
Feminism The canon of Kate Chopin's work consists of stories addressing gender hierarchy, gender relations, and sexuality. Two of Chopin's short stories that particularly exemplify a feminist critique of existing social structures include "The Story of an Hour" and "The Storm." Chopin uses her medium to express political views on the changing roles of women in domestic partnerships; the changing nature of those partnerships; and the impact of gender on personal
As in most other places around the world, the demands of family - caring for children, keeping house, obtaining and preparing food for meals - fall predominantly on women. In the case of Cuba this situation is made worse by the distortions of the communistic economy: People's motivation to work waned as there was little to work for. Money came to have little meaning in the legal economy - but
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