A Struggle with Social Constraints

This paper focuses on analysis of the two characters, Edna Pontellier of the novel The Awakening by Kate Chopin and Daisy Miller of Daisy Miller: A study by Henry James. Particularly, their unwillingness to follow the rules and expectations of societies they have been brought to live in and their emancipation from the world ruled mostly by men. Edna's feelings and desires are at constant odds with conventions which require a married woman to subvert her own needs to those of her husband and children. She is ready to fight against all these odds but eventually loses and makes an ultimate sacrifice. Similar could be said about Daisy Miller, who also finds it difficult to cope with unfamiliar environment and when she "needs" help, the main male character, Mr. Winterborne, who basically represents a mirror of society, is unable to recognize it or simply does not know how. She is trapped in a world which does not tolerate her behaviour and unfortunately she dies because of her intractability and stubbornness towards society.

Edna Pontellier is a mother of two and is married to the rich Creole business man called Léonce who treats her like some of his properties. He is barely at home and in his mind, Edna is nothing more than a "mother-woman". The Creole society expects chastity and allows women only a small freedom of expression, not to mention independence. Léonce does not see Edna as an equal and never makes an effort to understand her feelings, nor does he care about her opinion on any matters. Edna only learns about freedom of expression through her relationship with fellow married woman, Adéle. Here, on the vacation on Grand Isle, begins Edna's process of awakening and self-discovery, which constitutes the focus of the book. It is clear upon these lines - "In short, Mrs. Pontellier was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an individual to the world within and about her" (Chopin 17). This process accelerates when she meets Robert, a young man who intentionally flirts with married women and this summer he has chosen her. Their relationship looks innocent while they are lounging and chatting by the shore but as the summer progresses, Edna is starting to realize that she feels free and alive with Robert and explores her own sexuality and independence when she finally encourages herself to swim. She wants to swim "where no woman had swum before" (32). The sea in The Awakening symbolizes freedom and escape from strict society and swimming represents the fulfilment of Edna's desires, but on the other hand the lack of power inside of her too.

The "couple" never openly talk about feelings for each other. Robert never even addresses Edna by her first name but the time they spend together reminds her of dreams and desires she possessed when she was young. She is suddenly struck by the contrast between those feelings and the feelings she has in marriage. Recognizing how intense the relationship between him and Edna has become, Robert leaves the Grand Isle to avoid consummating his forbidden love. The odd farewell between them demonstrates their contrasting attitudes toward upholding the rules assigned by society and tradition. Edna cannot understand why Robert refuses to stay with her and he is able to overlook his feelings for her when etiquette requires.

Back at home in New Orleans, Edna is truly a changed woman. She begins to allow her inner life to emerge while ignoring her social responsibilities and pursuing her passion for painting. Her increasing disobedience and changed attitude alarms Léonce and he seeks the help and wisdom of Doctor Mandelet. Doctor suspects that Edna's transformation is the result of an affair but he hides it from Léonce. Instead, he suggests that he should let her more breathing space in order to pacify her rebellion. Therefore, he goes for a business trip and leaves Edna at home alone. With her husband and also children gone, Edna rejects her former lifestyle and search for freedom from male domination. She moves into new home - "pigeon house" and declares herself independent - the possession of no one and isolated at the same time. Edna believes that by freeing herself from Léonce, she can clear the path for a relationship with Robert. Meanwhile, with her love to Robert still intense, Edna pursues an affair with town seducer, Alcée Arobin, who is able to satisfy her sexual needs. However, she is not emotionally attached to him and maintains her female freedom. She even becomes alienated to her friend Adéle because of her subservience to husband's opinion and inability to trespass the boundaries of societal conventions. Edna simply wants to be treated equally with men and at this point she finds a good companion in Mademoiselle Reisz, an unconventional and self-sufficient pianist, who is the source of inspiration and courage for Edna. They spend quite a lot of time together and this relationship reveals true capacity of Edna's emotions and initiative. She learns to express herself through art but soon realises that she is lonely in her quest for self-discovery.

Reisz