American Literature

The Awakening is Kate Chopins novel that becomes controversial because it contains unorthodox views on feminine roles that contradict with the prevailing society at the time of its publication. The story centers on Edna Pontellier, who experiences gradual transformation following her self-discovery. Although many people and events in the novel cause her to discover her self-worth, the two most influential characters in Ednas awakening are Adele Ratignolle and Robert Lebrun.

Life must have been complete and comfortable for Edna, because she has everything, but she feels something is lacking. Her existence is mundane, what with an unexciting husband, who views her as a mere possession whose sole role is to obey his every command. Above all, the passion has long been gone between them. Edna has been a passionate person, even as a young girl, often giggling at the presence of good-looking and chivalric male personalities. Now, her husband can no longer fulfil her fantasies. She finds the realization of her yearning in Grand Isle, which transforms her into a daring and careless individual.  There, she meets in the island the two persons that contribute greatly to her awakening and demise.

Edna is an obedient housewife who is not aware of her sexual potentialities, but when she starts spending time with Adele, she begins to feel changes in herself. Something in her is stirring that wants to get out. She wants freedom from her mundane existence with her boring husband, and she feels this on her frequent interaction with Adele. Along with this, her sexual desire awakens. There may have been influences working in their several ways to induce her to do this but the most obvious was the influence of Adele Ratignolle (Kate Chopin, The Awakening 35).  The feeling is sort of new to Edna, because it has been a many years ago since the last time she felt that way with her husband. Adele, on her part, does not intend to influence Edna. In fact, she knows nothing about the sensation that is building up within her friends soul. She is also unaware that her mere presence and her touch can rouse excitement from Edna. The action was at first a little confusing to Edna, but she soon lent herself readily to the Creoles gentle caress (Ib 43). Perhaps Edna is just misinterpreting the whole thing. She may not see that it is nothing more than a mere adoration for Adeles enchanting beauty. The excessive physical charm of the Creole had first attracted her (Ib 35).  All the same, intentionally or not, Adele has aroused Ednas carnal desire, and this is sustained by Robert.

Compared to Adele, Robert Lebrun has the greatest influence on Edna because he does not only intensify her lust, but he also captures the heart of the woman. The intimacy that develops between them is not planned as it starts from friendly and innocent socialization. However, their constant closeness takes its toll on Edna as she begins to be drawn by Roberts charm. She discovers how her yearning for him can command her to do things that she does not usually do. She had never seemed to want him before. She did not appear conscious that she had done anything unusual in commanding his presence (Ib 83). With Robert, she finds this act normal, without any fear of being reprimanded. The influence of Robert goes deeper, as Edna falls in love with her. In fact, she is intensely in love that she begins to neglect her husband and her children she allows her world to revolve around Robert. Eventually, this proves fatal as Edna is not able to recover when Robert went away, leaving her confused and heartbroken. Despondency had come upon her, and had never lifted. There was no human being whom she wanted near her except Robert (Ib 300).
Adele and Robert are the two characters that influence most Edna in her awakening. Although the self-realization leads her to her death, it reveals her importance as a female human being. More importantly, she finds out that there is more for her than a mere housewife.