Choosing between family and individuality in The Awakening of Kate ChopinThe Awakening of Kate Chopin focuses on a woman's struggle to become an individual while also being a mother and marry. During this journey, the female heroine discovers that establishing her own identity means losing the identity of a mother. Edna appears as the “courageous soul,” a “soul that dares and challenges” (Chopin 61). Edna's society looked down on women who seek anything other than caring for their children and their husband's needs. Therefore, she is considered an outcast and must look to nature both inwardly and outwardly for satisfaction and approval. At the beginning of L'Éveil, Mr. Pontellier asks the question: "If it was not a mother's role to take care of her children, whose role was it?" (Chopin 7). He reflects the general belief of his time that women should be mothers who devote themselves to the most important needs of their children He believes that women should be self-sacrificing beings, who never take and always give. just like other men at that time, that she should be the “angel of the house,” tending to his every need. Mr. Pontellier wants her to be one of the “serving angels” (Chopin 9). ) who “idolized their children” (Chopin 9) and “adored their husbands” (Chopin 9) Mrs. Pontellier shows little interest in caring for her husband and children, implying that she is looking for more than one. life lived for others She begins to “recognize her relationships as an individual with the world within and around her” (Chopin 14), which inevitably becomes a curse in disguise. This creates a complicated inner conflict. Ms. Pontellier wonders if she should be defined as a mother and ...... middle of paper ...... nature for acceptance and her childhood memories soothing for a forgotten innocence. Works cited and consulted Chopin, Kate. “Awakening”. 1899. The Complete Works of Kate Chopin. Ed. By Seyersted. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State UP, 1989. Culley, Margo, ed. A Norton critical edition: Kate Chopin: The Awakening. New York: WW Norton, 1994. Edwards, Lee. “Sexuality, motherhood and personal identity”. A Norton critical edition: Kate Chopin: The Awakening. Ed. Margo Culley. New York: WW Norton, 1994. 282-285. Walker, Nancy. “Feminist or naturalist.” A Norton critical edition: Kate Chopin: The Awakening. Ed. Margo Culley. New York: WW Norton, 1994. 252-257. Wolff, Cynthia. “Thanatos and Eros.” A Norton critical edition: Kate Chopin: The Awakening. Ed. Margo Culley. New York: W. W. Norton, 1994. 231-241.