Part one of term paper
In Kate Chopin's The Awakening Edna Pontellier "awakens" to the realization that she is a person and not the possession of her husband. When she awakens she realizes she is in an oppressive society and that she is no longer one of the mindless member of the majority but an individual who's passion conflicts the responsibility that society fee ...

Part two of term paper
... the water, she begins to distance herself from both her husband and children. "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." (pg.47) Her unwillingness to sacrifice herself for her children and her husband demonstrates that she does not want to give herself away in order to make others happy. Edna can give her children superficial items, yet because of her new found "awakening" she can no longer truly serve to provide for th ...