Exploring the essence of “THE AWAKENING” sample essay

by Kate Chopin



Edna Pontellier’s suicide at the end of the novel is a critical manifestation of desperate awakening from the horrible environment in which she found herself. Her husband, her lover, her father, her children, - literally everyone around her expected her to be a different person, to play a role of wife and mother, which seemed unattainable for her after the vocation.

One way to interpret her suicide is to try to understand the following concept. Although she had overcome so much, and showed her strong will, she still was not ready to play the role people encompassing her expected her to play. In other words, she felt that her real self was inconsistent with the position in society.

Dr. Mandelet’s through the entire novel served as a source through which Edna thought she could attain peace and understanding. However, Edna until the very last moment felt that the doctor had not understood her fully. During their last walk, the doctor offered Edna his help. From a naturalistic point of view this proposal was immoral, bacause the doctor knew in which situation Edna had been then. He knew her current relationship with her husband, knew how she loved Robert, and still he made this proposal. Maybe some more profound implications conceals under his offer?Order custom essay now!