The Awakening

 Just from the title we can assume many ideas of culture and societal prospects come to the surface around the time this novel was published as well as the novel itself. There are multiple concepts and common themes introduced, displayed, and reflected upon throughout Chopin's writing. A few to focus on specifically would be: the role of genders, social norms and their expectations, as well as the sense of isolation. All three of these directly correlate back to melancholy; the role you have in your gender creates borders and guidelines laying out what you should do whether you agree or not, expectations (with gender and society) dilute personality in way or encourage suppression of identity and freedom, and isolation relates to being kept in a bubble that curates depression because there is no one else around (loneliness also falls into the category). Centrally, The Awakening paints women and wives and mothers as society wants to view them but instead uses a twist of protagonist with confrontation of Edna challenging these roles and stereotypes. Adele is the "perfect" societal mother and wife throughout the novel while Edna continues to push the limits or even fail them in the female role. Socially, there are guidelines each individual should follow during this time. To go more in depth, social class is brought into play of which Edna comes from a wealthy one. Not only is she viewed as extremely fortunate but she is not satisfied with the social norms she is deemed to keep up with and uphold due to her family class. This is showing that just because you are from a class does not mean that standards should necessarily be different. Lastly, isolation is prominent. Going off of the social class concept, Edna feels a disconnect between everyone else because of classes. Social classes cannot combine and there is a gap causing isolation between each. A feeling of this emanates loneliness and depression as well - almost like a snowball effect. To branch off one more time, freedom is diluted with isolation. Edna takes this into consideration and instead of following standards, a discovery within herself is evolving to bridge gaps she feels in her life.

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