| This thesis examines approximately 114 critical works on Kate Chopin's The Awakening that were published from 1986 to 1996 and groups them into categories of similar interest or approach. Five of the most common subjects are then explored. The first subject of paternalistic society examines the protagonist's conflict between her need for independence and paternalistic society's expectations. The second subject, the protagonist's identity search, focuses on the process of Edna's search for a true identity on a personal, detailed level. Next, the debate on the protagonist's death debates whether Edna's death should be considered a suicide and argues whether her death should be considered a positive or negative event. The fourth subject, elements of style, discusses Chopin's use of imagery and perspective. Finally, art and music themes examine Edna's struggles as a turn-of-the-century female artist and investigate music's sometimes mysterious influence upon Edna. |
