An Analysis of Oppression in Chopin's "The Awakening"

Growing up in the company of strong, loving women, Kate Chopin immediately learned independence and the power of language. Before reaching the age of nine, Chopin entered the St. Louis Academy of the Sacred Heart. Although she was already well read in English and French authors, the Academy reinforced her knowledge of those such as Dante, Goethe, and numerous other English novelists and poets. In her writing career, Chopin wrote three novels, more than one hundred and fifty stories and sketches, and a substantial body of poetry, reviews, and criticism. While Chopin produced numerous works, in relatively short writing career, her major work came in 1899, with The Awakening.

The Awakening tells the story of Edna Pontellier and the change she experiences, while spending the summer on Grand Isle, and then in her home in New Orleans. At first, Edna appears to be in a happy marriage, but as the novel progresses, nothing is farther from the truth. Leonce, Edna's husband, must return home for business, and as a result, Edna spends the majority of her summer with her two friends, Mademoiselle Reisz and Madame Ratignolle, and Robert Lebrun. As the summer progress, Edna spends more time with Robert, and begins to develop feelings for him. Just as Edna really begins to fall in love, Robert leaves for Mexico, and Edna returns to her home in New Orleans.

While in New Orleans, Edna and Leonce's marriage begins to falter, and is worsened when Leonce is forced to travel to New York on business. Upon Leonce's departure, Edna spends her time painting and visiting her friends from the Grand Isle, who also live in New Orleans. Furthering her revolt against Leonce, Edna, against Leonce's wishes, sells their house and moves into a smaller home. Although Edna, still has feelings for Robert she begins to see another gentleman, Alcee Arobin. After spending some time with Alcee, Robert returns to New Orleans, and the two confess their love for one another. Shortly after, a servant comes to inform Edna that Madame Ratignolle is ill and requests to see Edna. Despite requesting Robert to wait for her, upon Edna's return, Robert has left. So upset by his absence, Edna swims into the ocean, until she becomes exhausted and drowns. Although the reader is only able to view a brief glimpse of Edna Pontellier's life, the theme of overcoming the oppression imposed by others is evident. (1594-1596)

From the time Edna Pontellier was a young lady, she began to resist oppression. Edna was a very flirtatious young girl and only married Leonce in a rebellion against her parents. This lack of true love is a prime reason of Edna's awakening on the Grand Isle and in New Orleans. While Edna began to resist Leonce and show her feelings for Robert, on Grand Isle, it is not until back in New Orleans when Leonce realizes:

It sometimes entered Mr. Pontellier's mind to wonder if his wife were not growing a little unbalanced mentally. He could see plainly that she was not herself. That is, he could not see that she was becoming herself and daily casting side that fictitious self which we assume like a garment with which to appear before the world. (Chopin 96)

Leonce, still believing to be the most important aspect of Edna's life, now recognizes a slight change in Edna. Although Leonce is just realizing this change, Edna realized the beginning of a change while on Grand Isle:

A feeling of exultation overtook her, as if some power of significant import had been given her to control the working of her body and her soul. She grew daring and reckless, overestimating her strength. (Chopin 47)

No longer conforming to the exact wishes of Leonce, Edna has begun to express her true feelings, mainly in her artwork. In addition to her artwork, Edna will not longer visit with the wives of her husband's friends; instead, she prefers to visit those from Grand Isle. Edna's final rebellion occurs when she moves into a new house, against her husband's will, and confesses her love for Robert. Because the two do not carry the same views, Edna drowns herself in the ocean, in her final attempt to resist the oppression imposed upon her by others.

Growing up I always had a positive relationship with my parents. Despite this relationship, I always felt like I had to impress them, and in doing so, was never able to fully express myself the way a wanted to. I remained a quite and reserved person in high school, but when I finally reached college I felt I was able to be myself. Before my freshman year, I took summer classes, and similar to Edna, I felt I could act as I wanted:

When Edna was at last alone, she breathed a big, genuine sigh of relief. A feeling that was unfamiliar but very delicious came over her. (Chopin 120)

For the first time in my life I felt that I was alone and had the power to make the decisions that I wanted to make. While I am very grateful for the upbringing my parents provided, I know realized:

The past was nothing to her; offered no lesson which she was willing to heed. The future was a mystery which she never attempted to penetrate. The present alone was significant, was hers, to torture her as it was doing then with the biting which her impassioned, newly awakened being demanded. (Chopin 75-76)

Now in college, my decision making and lifestyle was no longer influenced by my parents. Although I could look upon past experiences to make my decisions, I now decided not to, because I previously altered my behavior to please my parents. I felt as if I had taken on an entirely new life. Awakened by the new opportunity college presented, I was now able to be myself. Being somewhat oppressed by my parents during my childhood, coming to college allowed me to free myself.

Everyone, at some point in their life, faces some type of oppression. While for me, as a youth, it was my parents and for Edna Pontellier, it was her husband. Some allow the oppression to continuously restrain them and others find ways to resist it. Although we all have some chances to resist the oppression, it is only a few who overcome, and experience an awakening.