The Awakening Literary Analysis

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The novel “The Awakening,” by Kate Chopin the viewer is introduced to the obedient, rebel, Edna Pontellier. In the novel, Chopin reveals from the beginning of the book more affection is shown between Robert and Edna than Edna and Leonce. The protagonist, Edna in the story is shown two different kind of love by two men named Leonce, her husband and Robert, a bachelor.
Throughout the book Edna and Leonce express a decent marriage. The love Leonce shows for Edna is more of a possession than a significant other. At the same time he shows his love for her but also expresses his materialism side for her. For instance when Leonce said “you are burnt beyond recognition,”(Chopin 7) he added, looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage. It is quite clear that Leonce sees his wife, Edna as a piece of one of his own beautiful property inside his house instead of seeing her as the love of his life, his wife. This is one of the different ways compared to Robert that Leonce shows his love for Edna. Even though Edna is married to Leonce and does whatever he says Chopin explains Edna’s true feeling about there marriage. Edna knows “Her marriage to Leonce Pontellier was purely an accident, in this respect resembling many other marriages which masquerade as the decrees of Fate. It was in the midst of her secret
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So as the book progress Edna becomes more indifferent and she does what she likes when she likes. Like the situation when Edna is laying in the hammock late at night; Leonce ask her if she was coming to bed and Edna says no. Answering that specifically made Leone say “this is more than folly. I can’t permit you to stay out there all night. You must come in the house instantly” (53). It sounds like he is trying to control Edna, but at the same time he is displaying his love for her by being concerned about her getting