The Awakening Group

Question:

alexandraquinn
alexandraquinn
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What societal customs and beliefs in "The Awakening" are significant to Edna Pontellier's psychological development?

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Posted by alexandraquinn on Monday December 8, 2008 at 1:45 PM and tagged with characterization, edna pontellier, plot, psychological development, the awakening, theme.

Answers:

  1. morrol
    morrol Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    One social standard that is significant to Edna's personal awakening is the place of women. Her husband comments that she should be home with her children. That is what society expects from her. Part of Edna's psychological revelation is that spending time working on herself might be more important that spending time with her children. Women are also supposed to be practical and pragmatic. Edna's tendency toward art and painting also lead to her psychological development.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/awakening/characters
    http://www.enotes.com/awakening/themes

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    Posted by morrol on Monday December 8, 2008 at 2:20 PM