Creole Men of The Awakening by Kate Chopin Essay - 1981 Words

In Kate Chopin’s novel, The Awakening, the Creole men are as diverse and different as Edna. Kate Chopin’s story centers around a woman, unsatisfied with her life in a man dominated society. The three main male characters resemble typical men of that era. Chopin shows the diversity of each of those three characters- Roberts awakening, and the struggle to do the right thing, Alcee and his carefree and unconcerned attitude towards societys expectations, and Mr. Pontiller, a business man, with little time left for wife and family. In exploring these three men in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, there are certain aspects of each that are the same. All live in the 1800’s were morale reputation was considered to be the utmost importance to the†¦show more content†¦Leonce is so caught up in his own ideals that he fails to see the reaction of his wife, and children. He is caught in turmoil between society and typically uses the Kliens hotel as a way out. †Å"Then Mr. Pontellier got up, saying he had half a mind to go over to Kliens hotel and play a game of billiards. (Chopin, 174)† Leonce does not spend time with his family while at the summer cottage, and never cultivated intimacy with his children and wife. Leonce would rather be with the boys, leaving all the everyday responsibilities to his wife, or hired help. While at home Leonce expects his wife to be attentive to his every word, treating him more like a prospective business partner than her husband. Leonce does not accept Edna’s lack of attention, and gets at her the only way he can, through her children. Leonce has a chance to vent his discouragement toward his wife. â€Å"He thought it very discouraging that his wife, the sole object of his existence, envinviced so little interest in things which concerned him and valued so little his conversation. (177)† â€Å"He reproached his wife with inattentions (178)† It is obvious that Edna’s inatten tions were of Leonce and not the children. Leonce wanted to get at his wife from her lack of interest in his time at Kliens. â€Å"After he reproaches Edna he goes outside and smokes a cigar like it was the most natural thing in the world to do. (178)† The real event is that Leonce has gotten even with his wife, for her inattention to him. The nextShow MoreRelatedThe Awakening : Reflective Statement Essay1719 Words   |  7 PagesTHE AWAKENING: REFLECTIVE STATEMENT During our interactive orals one of the most prevailing points we noticed is the connection between the protagonist, Edna Pontellier, and the author of the book, Kate Chopin. The book and Kate’s life revolve greatly on the culture and context they exist in which is a Creole culture (Spanish-French Americans) who live in Louisiana and spent their summers in Grand Isle. 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