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A review by rachelksisk
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
5.0
I read this for the first time in high school, and had about the same reaction that many seem to have. I felt that Edna was a selfish, weak monster who had no self control over her emotions or actions. I found her affairs disturbing, and her lack of devotion to her children even more so.
But I recently re-read this, as a 24 year old adult and had a completely different reaction. I found myself identifying strongly with Edna's character and being emotionally caught up her in "awakening."
From reading some of the other reviews, I find that many women have that first reaction I spoke of to Edna. Maybe I am alone in feeling that sometimes I just want to break things, or skirt my responsibilities and wander around town alone, and paint instead of doing house work... but I doubt it. I think her desires are common to women (and probably men to sometimes), and the book is about her following every whim and desire that came to her. The results are disastrous, and I would not suggest anyone do this necessarily, but it was very freeing and delightful for me to read about someone else following her impulses and ignoring all the rules of society.
I, for one, found myself admiring Edna. And for those who say Chopin did not mean for the reader to identify with Edna, I think that is absolutely untrue. I do not think she meant for women to follow in her footsteps necessarily, but I do think she created a female character who is selfish, impulsive, introspective, moody, and real. She is a real woman, feeling the feelings that real women feel deep inside, and I find it very interesting that her character still... 100 years later, is still making people very uncomfortable.
But I recently re-read this, as a 24 year old adult and had a completely different reaction. I found myself identifying strongly with Edna's character and being emotionally caught up her in "awakening."
From reading some of the other reviews, I find that many women have that first reaction I spoke of to Edna. Maybe I am alone in feeling that sometimes I just want to break things, or skirt my responsibilities and wander around town alone, and paint instead of doing house work... but I doubt it. I think her desires are common to women (and probably men to sometimes), and the book is about her following every whim and desire that came to her. The results are disastrous, and I would not suggest anyone do this necessarily, but it was very freeing and delightful for me to read about someone else following her impulses and ignoring all the rules of society.
I, for one, found myself admiring Edna. And for those who say Chopin did not mean for the reader to identify with Edna, I think that is absolutely untrue. I do not think she meant for women to follow in her footsteps necessarily, but I do think she created a female character who is selfish, impulsive, introspective, moody, and real. She is a real woman, feeling the feelings that real women feel deep inside, and I find it very interesting that her character still... 100 years later, is still making people very uncomfortable.