The Awakening By Kate Chopin - 1007 Words

In Kate Chopin’s novel, â€Å"The Awakening†, she introduces the reader to the life of Edna Pontellier, a woman with an independent nature, searching for her true identity in a society that expects women to be nothing more than just devoted housewives and nurturing mothers. In Edna’s journey of self-discovery, one must recognize the impact that other characters have had on her as well. Two characters that have had the biggest impact on Edna were Adele Ratignolle and Mademoiselle Reisz. Even though these two women are very different, both of them greatly influence Edna’s decisions about her life. The ideas that both women presented to Edna†¦show more content†¦She tries to get Edna to see how happy this kind of life could be, and to live this kind of life rather than fight it. Adele introduces Edna to female love. Edna was infatuated by Adele, â€Å"She had long wished to try herself on Madame Ratignolle. Never had that lady seemed a more tempting subject than at that moment, seated there like some sensuous Madonna†. Adele is the first woman Edna feels comfortable with. One could say that the motherless Edna seeks a mother surrogate in Adele and looks to her for nurturance. Adele provides maternal encouragement for Edna’s painting and tells her that her â€Å"talent is immense†. It’s rather obvious that Edna does not want the Creole married life, and knows that it cannot make her happy. She is not completely devoted to the happiness of her family, and refuses to give herself up for her children. She cannot understand why this makes Adele happy. However, when Edna’s children are at Iberville, she goes to see them and realize s that she missed them. She loves her children very much but she does not want them in her life all the time. This is one of Edna’s awakenings, realizing that she does not want a family. She wants to be free of Leonce’s authority and does not