Free Sample Essays > North American
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The Awakening
Even in her early childhood, Gilman was very independent. As a child she insisted on payment for doing her household chores and as an adult paid her mother room and board while supporting herself as a teacher and commercial artist. Gilman enjoyed participating in physical activity and reading philosophy books and had no interest in cloths and jewelry. At the age of 24 she married Charles Walter Stetsons.
The next year after giving birth to her daughter, Katharine Beecher, Gilman suffered from severe depression. She consulted the renowned neurologist, S. Weir Mitchell, after speaking with her he prescribed his “rest cure” of complete bed rest and limited intellectual activity. Gilman went home and followed those directions for about 3 months and “came so near the borderline of utter mental ruin that I could see over.” She decided to discontinue Mitchell’s “rest cure”. While on a trip to California her health improved. She attributed her emotional problems in part to her marriage. After this discovery her already shaky marriage ended in a controversial divorce.
After divorcing her husband she moved to Pasadena, California, with her daughter and her mother. To support herself Gilman started writing poetry and short stories. Among them “The Yellow Wallpaper” her autobiography. Today Gilman is still writing short stories and giving lectures that educate and inspire people on the women’s rights movement.
In this book Chopin tells the story of a repressed woman, who lives under the oppression of her husband. She finds herself feeling bored and discovers that she wants to do something meaningful with her life. Surrounded by snobbish people, Edna feels alone, despite all the “friends” she has. One summer she is surprised when she realizes she is in love with one of these people. It takes her awhile to accept this, but when she does her life takes on a completely new meaning. When Robert, her new love, discovers her feelings for him he leaves. Edna’s loneliness only increases her desire to change her life. Roberts return could be the event she has been waiting for.
The characters are quite strong and well written. Of course, Edna, is the most complex one, and she faces the same fears as any other human being. The men, perhaps, are a bit silly and confused, they are nevertheless realistic. Robert and Mr. Pontelier, the ones that surround Edna most of the time, are especially interesting. They love her but can’t tell why. For the most part, this is a very interesting novel.