Awakening feminism thesis

In the beginning of the novel, she is referred to as Mrs. Pontellier as was the case with a majority of the Victorian-era women. The narrator later labels her, as Edna Pontellier and eventually Edna when she finally cast aside all the responsibilities to become her own self.

In the novel The Awakening, by Kate Chopin the critical approach feminism is a major aspect of the novel. According to dictionary.reference.com the word feminism means, “The doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.”

Chopin’s The Awakening, there are three major female characters that help depict Victorian society from different perspectives. To be a good person in Edna’s society meant being a "mother-woman" who completely surrenders her sense of self in favor of her husband and children.

Because of the way Edna chooses individuality over conformity, sexuality over repression and art over entertaining, he is acting as a feminist; even at the time when this concept is not common. By Edna’s character and various events that occur, she strongly promotes feminist ideas.