The Masculine Sea and the Impossibility of Awakening in Chopin's the Awakening

Abstract

.DWH &KRSLQ KDV D ILUP SODFH LQ $PHULFDQ ZRPHQ¶V ZULWLQJ $ SHUVLVWHQW WKHPH LQ KHU ZRUNV LV VDLG WR EH ZRPHQ¶V emotional liberation. The Awakening DV D IHPLQLVW QRYHO LV QR H[FHSWLRQ ,Q WKH QRYHO (GQD¶V LQQHU YRLFH DQG GHVLUH for escape from a male-GRPLQDWHG VRFLHW\ DZDNHQ LQ KHU (GQD¶V VXLFLGH KDV EHHQ LQWHUSUHWHG DV KHU YLFWRU\ RYHU WKH VRFLHW\ however, this study argues that the idea of female defeat has been ignored to a great extent the main reason for which is the ignorance or a misreading of sea imagery. The sea of the novel that dissolves Edna is a signifier of male society and language VLJQLI\LQJ (GQD¶V IDLOXUH WR ILQG D SODFH ZLWKin the male dialogue of the society. Extra-marital relationships with Alcee or Robert are not promising, for the climax of such relationships is no more than the old requirement of becoming the good wife and mother that the society prescribes to women. By her ultimate suicidal choice, Edna determines to find a voice and be seen but is totally perished instead to prove that women cannot speak. This study intends to argue and conclude that Chopin had this Kristevaesque belief that the male socio-cultural formation does not let women experience freedom. A new interpretation RI WKH VHD DV D SDWULDUFKDO HOHPHQW LV RIIHUHG ZKLFK PDNHV (GQD¶V GURZQLQJ D WRWDO GHIHDW UDWKHU WKDQ YLFWRU\ DV VXJJHVWHG E\ many critics.