As I read Kate Chopin's novel The Awakening, I couldn't help noticing a few sentences that degraded the novel's protagonist, Mrs. Pontellier. I classify it as 'degrading' because it's limiting the character's free will to do whatever she pleases.
When Mrs. Pontellier's son seemed to have a fever, Mr. Pontellier argued that “if it was not a mother's place to look after children, whose on earth was it?” (Chopin, 21) Personally, I look forward to take care of my children when they get sick, or to provide a safe place for them at home, but I don't judge those who don't. Mrs. Pontellier is being judged, by her husband nonetheless, because she prefers spending time painting or doing something she enjoys, rather that sewing, or taking care of her children or any other labour a mother was expected to realize. Chopin then states that “it would have been a difficult matter for Mr. Pontellier to define to his own satisfaction or any one else's wherein his wife failed in her duty toward their children.” (Chopin, 25) The irony used by the author in words like 'duty' help emphasize the ridiculousness of Mr. Pontellier's beliefs of what a wife should be obligated to do.
When Mrs. Pontellier's son seemed to have a fever, Mr. Pontellier argued that “if it was not a mother's place to look after children, whose on earth was it?” (Chopin, 21) Personally, I look forward to take care of my children when they get sick, or to provide a safe place for them at home, but I don't judge those who don't. Mrs. Pontellier is being judged, by her husband nonetheless, because she prefers spending time painting or doing something she enjoys, rather that sewing, or taking care of her children or any other labour a mother was expected to realize. Chopin then states that “it would have been a difficult matter for Mr. Pontellier to define to his own satisfaction or any one else's wherein his wife failed in her duty toward their children.” (Chopin, 25) The irony used by the author in words like 'duty' help emphasize the ridiculousness of Mr. Pontellier's beliefs of what a wife should be obligated to do.
It is clear that Mrs. Pontellier is unhappy with her life and her husband. There is a constant reminder of this in situations where Mrs. Pontellier socially obligated to defend and praise her husband. “..all declared that Mr. Pontellier was forced to admit that she knew of none better.” (Chopin, 24) Since when does a wife feel forced to feel certain appreciation towards her husband? These examples make me wonder the true reasons behind that marriage, or whether something happened that made Mrs. Pontellier feel differently about her husband. The author let's the reader know that “such experiences as the foregoing were not uncommon in her married life”, so why would Mrs. Pontellier accept this and continue being unhappy?
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