In Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, the narrative unfolds during the late 1800s on Grand Isle in Louisiana. The central figure, Edna Pontellier, stands out as a non-Creole individual amidst a cast of notable characters: Adele Ratignolle, Mr. Ratgnolle, Robert Lebrun, and Leonce Pontellier, all of whom belong to the Creole community.
The Creole society is characterized by male dominance, with little acceptance of outsiders and heavy expectations on women to maintain orderly homes and bear many children. Edna and Adele, although friends, differ greatly in their upbringing and treatment of their husbands. Adele is a devoted wife who always obeys her husband’s orders, while Edna is a rebellious woman who refuses to comply with her husband’s commands.
Kate Chopin employs Adele to highlight the contrasts between herself and Edna. Edna Pontellier, being non-Creole, encounters challenges in her marital relationship. In the perception of her spouse, she disappoints both as a wife and as a mother to their children. Enda’s actions consistently deviate from her husband’s expectations.
Late at night, Leonce arrives home and exchanges words with Edna, who is sleeping. He informs her that one of their sons, Raoul, is unwell and urges her to attend to him. Despite lacking a genuine longing for motherhood, Edna opted to have children nonetheless. Unlike a traditional “mother-woman,” she occasionally craved solitude and didn’t believe she should be devoted to her offspring every waking minute.
If one of Edna’s sons fell while playing, he would not immediately run crying to his mother for comfort. Instead, he would likely pick himself up (16). Edna always felt like she didn’t belong in Creole society because their lack of prudery stood out to her the most (19). The Creole people freely discussed topics like childbirth and engaged in flirtation without any real intentions. However, Edna would never think of discussing her childbirth experiences with anyone or flirt unless she meant it. While Creole women dedicated their lives to their husbands, Edna lived carefree and did as she pleased.
She was carefree as she would go to the beach wearing only a sundress and a small hat, despite the need to cover up and prevent sunburn. Leonce was displeased by her sunburned appearance as he didn’t want his possession to look like someone of lower class. Adele, unlike Edna, acted differently towards her children and spouse. Adele, a Creole woman, was devoted to her husband and they had a deep understanding and connection. Their union was possibly the perfect fusion of two individuals becoming one (93).
Adele was a devoted mother, desiring to have children every two years. With three children already and another on the way, her thoughts were consumed by her offspring. If any of her children were injured, they would seek solace in her arms, knowing she could make everything better. Adele constantly dedicated herself to sewing clothes for her beloved children and discussing them with others. Occasionally, she pondered the idea of leaving the children behind to accompany Edna on a journey.
Adele, being a Creole, easily assimilated into society and was not considered prudish. Unlike Edna, she openly discussed topics like childbirth and read books secretly. Although she appeared carefree, Adele constantly worried about her children and promptly carried out her husband’s requests. When she visited the beach, she wore a gauze veil and protective gloves, indicating her fair skin from staying at home with the children and adhering to her husband’s expectations.
Chopin uses Adele to portray the ideal behavior of a Creole wife towards her husband and children, highlighting Edna’s deviation from this standard. Adele, as a member of the Creole society, embodies the characteristics of a “mother-woman” who consistently prioritizes her children’s well-being and remains dedicated to her spouse. In contrast, Edna’s non-Creole status prevents her from fulfilling the expected roles of a mother and wife. She neglects her children and displays disloyalty towards her husband by engaging in extramarital affairs.
In Edna’s life, Chopin employs these significant details to demonstrate her realization that she is unsatisfied with her current situation and desires a transformation. This newfound awareness might result in Edna becoming more self-reliant and distancing herself from her spouse, Leonce.
