In what ways are male characters important to Kate Chopin?

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Anuraag Agarwal        English A2 Standard        5/9/2007

In what ways are male characters important to Kate Chopin?

Why and how does she use them?

Kate Chopin is an author who examines the position of women in 19th century Louisiana. She describes their plight, living in a society designed by men, one that confines women’s behavior.  It was imperative for Kate Chopin to highlight her male characters, as they ultimately are responsible for her heroines’ actions.  The “Awakening” and “Desiree’s Baby” are two examples that deal with the issues resulting from a male dominant society, though the stories vary in their approach.  Men and marriage are however the common factors that symbolize the obstacles that Kate Chopin’s women face.

In “The Awakening” Edna, the main character enjoys being married at first but later she finds it to be very limiting and oppressive.  A free spirit by nature, she rebels against her husband and the life that he stands for.  She hates the implications that women in her society “belong” to men, and that their place is at home doing domestic chores and raising children.  This impression is reinforced when Kate Chopin lets the reader view the situation through Edna’s eyes, saying that women are regarded “as one looks at a valuable piece of property…” (p.11)  Furthermore, men decide women’s role in life declaring that “if it is not a (woman’s) place to look after children, who on earth was it?” (p.15) This role is so precisely defined, ensuring that women will stay within the walls of the house with their families.

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Marriage was the process by which men gained total control over women. The author indicates that a marriage at that period of time was not always carefully planned but was rather a spontaneous and passionate act. For example, Edna’s “marriage to Leonce Pontellier was purely by accident, in this respect resembling many other marriages which masquerade at the decrees of fate.” (p.31)  Edna married because she was emotionally ready for marriage and not because she loved Pontellier, and Chopin remarks that “It was in the midst of her secret great passion that she met him.” (p.31) Pontellier on the ...

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