Were Past Centuries so Different?

In the novel The Awakening by Kate Chopin, the readers are introduced to a 19th century setting. The story takes place on an island near New Orleans, where only high-class creole's resided. These people were mostly from French and Spanish decent, that had throughout the years adapted themselves as an elite and powerful society. Of course, such a classy label created a sort of cocky personality to these elite residents, mostly to men. We are after all speaking about the 19th century, times when women were practically powerless over men and had only "motherly" chores. Personally, I do not find women inferior to men, but the fact the novel was written by a woman, precisely in these times, creates an interesting point of view of how women were treated more like "property" than equal beings. Although we are only at the beginning of this sort of sexist, it's quite difficult not to predict how the characters will struggle for independence.

However, not all men shared the creole traditional perspective towards women. Robert Lebrun, who personally makes me uncomfortable, shares a different view towards women. Since his younger days, Robert has set his summer plans into "attending" the wives and mothers on the island. Wait, what? First of all, this man contradicts with the whole 19th century men stereotype by actually letting women be the priority instead of himself. And secondly, how would this act of "kindness" have not provoked one or two husbands into questioning their wives sworn and devoted love? Would it only be the fact that the creole men should not feel jealousy? Or maybe they are so worked up in their business and personal attention that they simply do not mind? So then yes, the answer to my questioning title is found. Times have changed and they are different. In Roberts defense, his actions aren't really clear and he only devotes his time to converse with these women and give them a hand. But we all know that his special attention to Mrs. Pontellier gives us a heads up to whats coming, don't we? Then all we can do for now is wait, and see what innocent little Robert will do next.

Although we see the attitude from the husbands to their wives mostly different then in modern times, the readers also find that the marriage in general different. By different I mean of course the relationship between Edna and Mr. Pontellier, noting the gloomy manner the wife acts. In fact, we see how sometimes it is quite struggling for Mr. Pontellier to understand Edna, and to comfort her. As a result of Mrs. Pontellier exits the bedroom and falls down into tears, not exactly knowing why though. "She could not have told why she was crying" (Chapter III, page 22) the only explanation to this behavior, is that Edna is not content with her marriage. In fact, the only moments when we actually see her happy is when she is with Robert. Perhaps because he listens to her unlike her husband, she finds it more pleasing to hang around with the "attendant". It should be sad for a woman in that century to suffer her marriage, knowing they have almost no voice and no opinion.

The author does anyhow create a contrasting character to Mrs. Pontellier, this is Adele. In modern days she would be called "whipped", but for the 19th century expectations of a woman, she fits perfectly. She isn't the complete opposite from Edna, but in the sense of how much she cares for her children , how much she is pleased with her life, or even how much she accepts that she is and will only be a house wife creates the complete parallel to Edna. I mean, what duties did women have in those days? Perhaps caring for the children and the house and simply accept things the way men wanted them to be like. In return they received a family, a stable marriage, and and a wealthy life. Certainly, Edna finds this style of life exhausting and pointless and replaces her sorrow with spent time with Robert.

All these characters seem different, in the sense they all want something different. Adele accepts her life in is happy, but in the other hand Edna feels that something is missing and defy's her role in the household. Robert doesn't seem to be like other men, and curiously chases married women. This of course will untie some trouble in the next chapters of the book.