By examining “Kate Chopin and the American Realists,” it becomes clear that Kate Chopin held distinct views about women in the late 1800s compared to authors like Crane, Garland, Norris, and Dreiser. American literature has portrayed women from various perspectives. While many authors believed that women primarily desired wealth and power through a man, Chopin’s ideas diverged. She advocated for women’s independence and rejected the notion that money and sex equate to power.
Furthermore, according to Per Seyersted, Kate Chopin focuses on the biological aspects of a woman’s situation, while other writers are more concerned with the socioeconomic forces that shape her life. When comparing The Awakening to Sister Carrie, Maggie, Rose, and McTeague, readers can observe that women in those novels tend to indulge in wealth, men, and materialistic goods. In contrast, Edna in The Awakening avoids wealth and lives in a humble pigeon house. Per Seyersted’s analysis highlights the uniqueness of Kate Chopin’s writing compared to other authors.
Chopin’s writing was deeply influenced by her personal experiences, having six children and losing her spouse. This is evident in her works, as she focused on themes of independence and the importance of children rather than wealth and men. Chopin’s writing serves as a testament to the fact that women can lead exceptional lives without relying on material possessions or heroic figures. Unlike many other authors, Chopin did not use animalistic language to depict scenarios in her stories. In contrast, for instance, Norris employs animalistic imagery in his work “McTeague,” portraying his female character as an evil beast who pounces like a panther and kisses the heroine Trina in a repulsive manner. Additionally, he derives pleasure from biting his wife and himself.
Although Chopin believed that brute selfishness ruled the world, she did not often depict men as warring animals or associate physical passion with brutality. Unlike other authors, who portray men as animalistic and beastly, Chopin argues that a man does not have to be the sole source of fulfillment in a woman’s life. However, she still acknowledges typical actions in romantic relationships.
When comparing all the books, it is surprising to see that Dreiser, who typically includes elaborate details and wants readers to believe that Carrie is strongly attracted to men, and Norris, who focuses on sex as the main theme in his unfinished Vandover and the Brute, both deviate from their usual styles. Garland, however, takes a slightly bolder approach by allowing Rose to experience desire and mentioning her “splendid curve of bust,” but ultimately only allows her a kiss on the hand.
The content of The Awakening is filled with sexual themes, as evidenced by Alcee’s ability to arouse Edna and her subsequent passionate kiss with Robert. Through this comparison, readers can observe elements of realism and naturalism. Chopin possessed a realistic perspective, which differed greatly from many people’s opinions and resulted in hate towards her novel The Awakening. Chopin’s realistic mindset prioritized women’s concerns and their everyday challenges, rather than portraying them as solely driven by instinctual desires for food, sex, and love (a belief held by naturalists). Chopin’s forward-thinking ideas were ahead of her time by at least a decade. Her realistic approach allowed readers to see the true nature of love, including its triumphs and tribulations, rather than presenting it through conventional fairy tale narratives. Chopin presents love as it truly is, without adding excessive emotional or dramatic elements. Much like Hester in The Scarlet Letter, Chopin’s work is considered to have paved the way for women’s rights and independence. It is worth noting that thirteen years after The Awakening’s publication, the Nineteenth Amendment granted women the right to vote in America.
When reading Kate Chopin and the American Realists, it becomes apparent that Chopin’s realistic perspective reveals her sensitivity, intelligence, and understanding of the various basic needs of women. The sincerity of her portrayal is highlighted by Per Seyersted, who believes that Chopin offered a more convincing depiction than any other serious American novelist. Throughout her works, Chopin emphasizes that both weak and strong individuals, whether they are nest makers or soaring birds, possess their own individuality and independence.
