Themes

Character vs. Society

Character vs. Society is the most prevalent theme and conflict in The Awakening, and it directly relates to the theme of Feminism and the Rejection of Gender Roles. Throughout the story, Edna Pontellier challenged societal norms by removing herself from family obligation and exploring her own passions and desires. Given the societal view on gender roles and adultery, Edna received an immoral reputation and was ostracized, but that did not stop her from pursuing independence to be her own person and liberation from obligation and societal norms.

Feminism and the Rejection of Gender Roles

Directly related to the Character vs. Society conflict and theme of The Awakening, feminism and the rejection of gender roles were central themes in the novel. The Awakening was published in 1899, still two decades before the 19th Amendment was ratified and women gained the right to vote. Given the historical context, The Awakening was a revolutionary novel due to its strong female characters and the themes that focused on equality and freedom for women and a rejection of the societal views that placed women as possessions of their husbands, meant only to tend to the needs of the family.