A Study Of Female Subject Consciousness In The Awakening

Kate Chopin was a well-known American feminist writer,whose masterpiece The Awakening depicts the protagonist Edna’s step-by-step awakening. Edna attempted to shake off the shackles of patriarchal society and walked on the road of pursuing self-hood and exploring inner nature. Because of social condemnations and family’s misunderstandings,she finally chose to commit suicide to preserve her liberty and independence. The writer Kate Chopin heartily sympathized with those disadvantaged women and intended to reveal the true face of a patriarchal society, exposing, in particular, its long-time oppressions on female subject consciousness. This thesis focuses on discussing the loss and awakening of Edna’s female subject consciousness in terms of physicality and spirituality. Analysis is also made of a myriad of causes, and of the social and literary implications of the awakening of Edna’s female subject consciousness. In conclusion, women can realize their social values and life pursuits through unremitting efforts. Therefore,the thesis would help eliminate gender discrimination and promote the arrival of a harmonious society.