The critical essay I read, authored by Hugh J. Dawson, is centered around the thesis that Edna Pontellier is the main reason why a reader is unable to enjoy The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Through my own reading of the novel and the examination of this critical essay, I thoroughly agree with this statement.
Edna Pontellier is stuck in an adolescent mindset for the entirety of her life. A reader can argue that due to her exposure to the way in which her father oppressed her mother for being a woman had a heavy impact on the way in which Edna views herself as needing independence as a woman, but one must also blame Edna for the decisions she has chosen to make with her own mind. Edna is notoriously selfish and extraneous. She supposedly does not care for the extravagant possessions her husband purchases for their household, but she has no qualms with buying her own house or hosting a very expensive dinner party. Her stubbornness is exemplified throughout the entirety of the novel. She decided on her own future before she even left her parents' household. She selected her husband by herself, despite his being a dozen years her senior, an act of rebellion that she did not weigh the consequences of before finalizing the decision. Edna was not forced into an arranged marriage; she chose a man of a different culture and lifestyle because she felt that she did not want to continue the 'Presbyterian' lifestyle, and was adamant to convert to the milder 'Catholic' lifestyle. In turn, Edna feels herself to be too 'unique' to conform to the Creole culture, therefore subject to treatment as an outsider by the more motherly Creole individuals, who have no qualms with living up to the societal expectations.
Edna is definitely a victim to her own insecurity and obsession with vanity. Because of this, she is restricted to living in the persona of a lifelong adolescent, acting in childish manners as a means of trying to feel equal to the other adults. In effect, these end up hurting Edna's reputation even more than if she had relented with acting cordial with her acquaintances. The most frustrating part of Edna for me is her adverseness to being a mother. There is no evidence provided in the novel that she did not want to be a mother when she became pregnant with her sons. Chopin leads us to believe Edna would rather die for herself than live for her children, which I have been conditioned to believe is beyond selfish. To restate the quote, "I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself" (Chopin 113.) This attitude contradicts what others are asking of her; not once are the children or her husband directly asking her to give up her identity for them. They just want her to show that she cares for them. But Edna seems to always want to rid herself of the cares she willfully committed herself to, but decides are no longer of her concern. This, I think, is what instills all of the guilt she has, especially around her infatuation for Robert. Edna goes to absurd lengths to achieve his attention, which enlarges the estimate of the passion between the two. Robert understands that she should be more devoted to her family rather than wanting to engage in infidelity, and I believe that both consciously and subconsciously Edna understands this, too, but cannot bring herself to admit that she is in the wrong.
Dawson is very persuasive with his argument. He provides many parenthetical references which support his thesis. He also uses word choice to stir up the reader's opinion, which helps sway the reader to agree with his thoughts. I personally did not need much persuasion to agree with his standpoint, because despite arguments in favor of Edna Pontellier, I believe she was the cause of her own problems. Due to her obstinacy and overall moody behavior, I felt that I could not thoroughly enjoy reading The Awakening. Other than Edna's character, I felt that the novel was very well written and covered an important issue in society during the time period.
