The first chapter of Ecclesiastes, a book of the Bible, ends with these words: “For in much wisdom there is much sorrow, and the increase of knowledge is the increase of sadness. » This quote explains that the more you understand and learn about the world, the more discouraged you will become. In The Awakening, Kate Chopin shows that knowledge can cause grief, while knowledge can also cause empowerment and personal growth. In The Awakening, Kate Chopin demonstrates that increasing an individual's knowledge can also increase their grief and unhappiness. Edna Pontellier spends most of her summer on Grande Isle with Robert. Robert awakens the “symptoms of infatuation” that she had when she was a young woman. Edna says her husband was "like someone she married without love as an excuse." The quote demonstrates that Edna recognizes that she does not love her husband and has realized that their relationship is completely devoid of passion. With her marriage, Edna dreams of being with Robert. The realization of her love for Robert causes Edna much grief as she understands that she will never be able to act on her feelings for Robert because of her marriage to Léonce. its role in society. Society expects Edna to act as a loving mother and devoted wife. The typical “mother-wife” was expected to “idolize her children and revere her husband.” Edna was not a typical “mother-wife.” When her children fell while playing, they did not come to her like most “child mothers”. They would simply get up, wipe the sand from their mouths and continue playing. Society also expects Edna to devote all her time to her children. Edna states that... middle of paper .... Although both sides present valid arguments, the fact that knowledge causes grief offers the more compelling argument. Although knowledge leads Edna to empower herself in life, the empowerment quickly fades. and her role as a mother overshadow Edna's attempt to fulfill her life. Edna's suicide at the end of the novel offers the most compelling piece of evidence. Edna sees no choice but to commit suicide to escape the grief and frustration. his life. In The Awakening, Kate Chopin shows that knowledge can cause grief as well as empowerment. However, the most compelling case supports the fact that wisdom and knowledge cause sorrow and sorrow. The fact that Edna saw no other option than to kill herself. clearly shows that "an increase in knowledge is an increase in sorrow ».”