The Awakening By Kate Chopin - 1730 Words

The impalpability of passion is something that causes a person to act on sentiment often times rather than perhaps, more conceptually proper ideals. In many instances, an act of passion is committed to achieve a sense of satisfaction within one’s self. This concept lends itself to the perception that societal influence does not always subjugate that of personal inclination. The feeling that generates this emotion primarily ensues actions that, due to their anomalism, can seem selfish or at times even pathetic. The word pathetic, although often having iniquitous connotation, compatible with synonyms such as worthless or shameful, takes a different turn in the novel The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Protagonist and main character Edna†¦show more content†¦Edna Pontillier however, had very different feelings about this ordeal and through her series of awakenings throughout the novel, embarks on a journey that, for once, allowed her to put her own thoughts and feelings first without considering that of others. The disconnect between Edna and her husband Leonce Pontillier lays an adumbrate backdrop for the events to come from the beginning of the novel. It is evident that Mr. Pontillier is a man quite consumed with appearances and considers Edna, in a term more referenced to the present century, a trophy wife. Neither thoroughly amative nor ardent to her, he appreciates and is proud of the appearance that Edna offers, describing on page 5 how he looked upon Edna as one would look at â€Å"a valuable piece of personal property that has suffered some damage.† One can question however, is Leonce lost in vanity, or simply a man of his time? Mrs. Pontillier, described as being more handsome than beautiful links itself to the masculinity within her; representing the strong ill feelings she dared to feel while being a woman of the late 1800’s. â€Å"In short† says the novel â€Å"Mrs. Pontillier was not a mother-woman† (p.8) On a summer family vacation to the Grand Isle, Edna Pontiller is introduced to a dashing young man by the name of Robert Lebrun. The relationship begins as a simple camaraderie