by B.W. Harold

Created on: August 02, 2011   Last Updated: May 21, 2012

For generations young women have been sitting in classrooms reading Kate Chopin's ground breaking works. Though most praise her for her innovative feminist ideals, some argue that her work was disrespectful to the institution of marriage. These opinions may have had some merit in the time period they were written (late 1800's.) But in modern society, Ms. Chopin's work is cherished as one of the cultural catalysts for women's rights.

But what about Ms. Chopin's view on marriage? Is she really a raging feminist crusading again the “good for nothing men” in her stories? Perhaps if we look at some of Ms. Chopin's most popular works, we might see a surprising balance in the end. Let's begin with the classic, “The Awakening.”

• “The Awakening”

Probably the one work that critics use to bash Ms. Chopin's family values the most. Edna is a woman who married a man who adored her, but she did not return his affection. She thought it best to be in a marriage where her husband worshiped her and she could be the perfect wife worthy of that admiration. As opposed to waiting for that elusive vapor called love. At the beginning of the novel, the reader is fully aware that “the bloom is off the rose,” and Edna is constantly criticized by her husband Leonce for not being the ideal wife and mother.

Young Robert is an object of affection for Edna. He never forces Edna to be anything, but herself. Some would argue that Edna falls in love with Robert, but the truth is more likely, Edna loves “the idea” of Robert.

What starts out as a slight crush warps into a full out rebellion on Edna's part.

• Marriage in “The Awakening”

It is clear in Ms. Chopin's novel that Edna and Leonce have a standard status marriage. Leonce goes out to the club every night and leaves the social and domestic duties to Edna and the servants. He is baffled by Edna's lack of warmth that was expected of mothers and wives of the time.

When Edna returns home with her husband from vacation, she begins neglecting the things that Leonce considers vital to her role as a wife. Such as taking visitors on set days of the week, and making visits to people he considers important to their status and business. She leaves the children to the nanny and spends her days painting.

Leonce is advised to let Edna do what she pleases. He does so which leads to Edna's spiral down into... well modern society would call it depression.

The relationships

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