Analysis Of Proto-Feminism In The Awakening By Kate Chopin

Proto-Feminism is defined as a philosophical idea in which feminism existed in a time period it was expected to be unknown. Before the 20th century, women’s liberation was not a familiar concept to society, however a great variety of literature from this time period displayed how women defended themselves for the independence and freedom they lacked. Along with the many novels written in this time period, The Awakening written by Kate Chopin in 1899 justifies this philosophy. Edna Pontellier, the protagonist of the story took on the challenge of isolating herself from societal norms and proving her capabilities as a woman in a community of Creoles. Despite the fact that she managed to take control of her own life towards the end of the†¦show more content†¦Edna, who was not very fond of motherhood decided she should not have to give up who she is for her family even though society expected this from her. Along with standing up for herself against family and society, she also stood up for her capabilities as an individual. This was portrayed when she made the goal of swimming out far from shore at Grand Isle. Although this does not seem to be very imposing in modern society, er accomplishment was influential in that time period as women were not expected to have such aspirations or skills. Edna however infringed this expectation, â€Å"A feeling of exultation overtook her, as if some power of significant import had been given her to control the working of her body and her soul. She grew daring and reckless, overestimating her strength. She wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before† (10. 7). This portrays how the novel is a Proto-Feminist novel, as the main character fought against what society anticipates from her as a female individual. As Edna became awakened to more throughout the novel, she began taking even more risks when it came to the choices she made a s an individual, regarding what was acceptable to society. Towards the end of The Awakening, Edna took the choice of no longer allowing her husband to control her, or treat her as a possession, I am no longer one