Citation

Quawas R. Dirasat: Human and Social Sciences 2009; 36(2): 481-495.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In The Awakening, Kate Chopin denounces the culture that infantilizes and degrades women, defies traditional proprieties, challenges patriarchal ideologies of maleness and femaleness, and pioneers new roles for women. Chopin's Edna Pontellier questions the traditional ideologies of female subjugation, confronts the limitations the New Orleans Creole society imposes upon her because of her gender, and commits suicide at the end To have an identity in Creole society, Edna must choose from the operative categories open to her within it- the dependent role of wife mother or the independent role of artist/spinster. Neither role satisfies the sexual and spiritual aspects of her fictional character that make up the core of her identity, which she seeks to establish and preserve at all costs. The traditional role does not mean for Edna the promise of a free, meaningful life but rather negation, chaos, and death Convinced that she cannot coexist with a society that would condemn her transgressions, Edna drowns herself in the waters of the gulf She does not take her life because of or for the sake of others; she does so out of concern for the preservation of her individual and particular interests. Her suicide stands as final proof of her independence, self-determination, and self-preservation. © 2009 DAR Publishers/University of Jordan.

Language: en

Keywords

Suicide; Awakening; Self- presentation; Self-determination; Traditional proprieties; Transgressions