A Tortuous Path of Awakening, an Arduous Quest for Liberation

作者:Qu Weiwei*
来源:2nd International Conference on Economics, Management Engineering and Education Technology (ICEMEET), 2016-11-12 to 2016-11-13.

摘要

In her The Awakening, the American feminist writer Kate Chopin characterizes such a woman heroine-Edna, who is not satisfied with the role of being a good mother and nice wife. She gradually feels her life's vitality, experiences the power of her sexuality, and craves for the enjoyment of freedom. However, despite the positive steps proceed with Edna's gradual awakening, powerful social forces are arrayed against her. Unable to find a way to translate her spiritual awareness of her freedom into reality, Edna surrenders and stops struggling, committing suicide in the sea. The ambiguous and tragic ending seems to reflect Chopin's view that the patch to women's liberation in male-centered society is far more difficult and complex. Women's liberation is not only the business women, but also the business of the whole human race.