Essay on Oppression of Women in The Awakening - 768 Words

Kate Chopins novel The Awakening in the opening chapter provides the argument for womens entrapment in roles that society has forced upon them. Chopin was not just trying to write an entertaining story but trying to convey arguments against these social injustices. Women are like these birds trapped in these cages unable to free themselves from these imposed roles by society. Chopin opens her novel with the a parrot in a cage repeating the same phrase over and over. The parrot is pretty to look at, but when the bird speaks it is very annoying. This is the way women were potrayed in the late 19th century restricted to very limited space in society, --- hung in a cage outside the door pretty to look at, but annoying because†¦show more content†¦He walks away from the main house toward his own cottage since he could not concentrate on reading because of the noise --- The parrot and the mocking bird --- had the privilege of --- [making] all the noise they wished (516). The typical male attitude that women were entertaining to look at and possess, but were irritating creatures because they chattered incessantly. That Mr. Pontellier like most males --- had the privilege of quitting their society when [birds or women] ceased to be entertaining (516). Mr. Pontellier goes back to the same boring task --- once more [applying] himself to the task of reading the newspaper (516). That men were able to apply themselves to the same menial and meaningless task over and over. Men were self-absorbed, concerned only with work, and obtaining possession not maintaining relationships with their families. He was already acquainted with [most of the paper] and he glanced restlessly over the editorials --- which he had not had time to read before [leaving] New Orleans the day before (516). Here is reading the paper when he hasnt seen his family all week. Also, he is restless ready to get back away from the pretty, incessantly chattering birds that he owns that irritate and annoy him. The passage goes on to describe the surrounding scenery, Madame Lebrun, and theShow MoreRelated`` Night Women `` By Edwidge Danticat And The Story Called The Awakening921 Words   |  4 PagesThe story called â€Å"Night Women† by Edwidge Danticat and the story called â€Å"The Awakening† by Crystal Wilkinson portray womanhood in different ways. However, both stories are very interesting and convey powerful ideas to the readers. Although the portrayal of womanhood is different, they share some similarities. 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