Edna's Role In The Awakening By Kate Chopin

To me, Edna does not fit the conventional role of a woman during the 19th century. She does not epitomize the “Mother-women” character that she is suppose to be and although she loves her children dearly, she would never sacrifice her identity and worth for them, “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). In the beginning of the novella she would some what listen to her husband command, but as her awakening progress, she starts to become more disobedient and at some point flat out abandon her husband request to stay at home and receive callers on Tuesday. She starts to pursue her interest in painting which leads her to neglect her motherly and wifely duties.
By visiting Adele one day, she see how she domesticated and boring Adele life really is. This makes Edna starts to feel pity for her and she makes the sudden realization that this domesticated lifestyle was not for her “It was not a condition of life which fitted her, and she could in it but an appalling and hopeless ennui” (Chopin). Due to this, she further neglect this 19th century conventional role a woman and start becoming even more independent and free. Sadly in the end, Edna realized no one would ever accepted her this way, which ultimately cause her to have a tragic ending.

I believe 21st century conventional gender roles are vastly different then the 19th century. It is more relaxed and it is interchangeable as well. Back then it was expected for the mother to stay at home and take care of the kids, while the husband is out working earning the money. Now it is perfectly acceptable for the dad to stay at home and care for the kids, while the mother works and earn the income.