Motherhood In Kate Chopin's The Awakening

1459 Words6 Pages
Upon the publication of Kate Chopin’s novel The Awakening it was a pretty provocative piece in the time it was released. Edna who was the protagonist of the novel was also one of the most controversial characters, which are next to Mlle Reisz. One of the primary reoccurring themes in the book is the concept of motherhood. This is one theme that Edna seems to be in a constant struggle with, a primary example of this is when Edna is talking to Adele about being a mother and she says that she would die for her children but she would not give her life for them. This single phrase helps us to see how exactly Edna stands on the concept of motherhood. Throughout the novel Edna is faced with what kind of path she wants to head down as far as motherhood…show more content…
A very talented musician in her own right, however her talent is not a freely demonstrated as that of Adele, Mlle Reisz only demonstrates her talent on very special occasions and for those who she is fond of. Edna finds it a little easier to relate to Mlle Reisz in that she is an aspiring artist herself and is attracted to the fact that Mlle Reisz has put her art before everything else. This is the main reason why Edna can confide in Mlle Reisz about her passion to become a painter, Mlle warns Edna about the lifestyle that comes with being an artist and that she would have to change all she knows to be able to be complete dedicated to her work. However although Mlle Reisz was a very talented artist she greatly lacked in areas, it almost seemed that Mlle Reisz life was completely void of any traces of sexuality and motherhood half of which Edna was in search for while on her path of self-discovery. So although the lifestyle of Mlle Reisz was closer to ideal for Edna it still wasn’t what she was looking for. Throughout their relationship Edna has experience a certain amount of intimacy from her friend Adele; it is this intimacy that leads Edna further into her the sexual exploration of herself. After this point in the novel Edna is now open to the possibility of sexual intimacy, and unlike Mlle Reisz, Edna desires to live a very sexual life and cannot imagine closing herself off from that as does Mlle
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