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Morally Ambiguous Characters In The Awakening

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Morally ambiguous characters are in most works of literature. The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, is no exception. Edna is an exceptional example of this, because her actions negatively affects other characters in the awakening. Although her actions are negative in nature, her thoughts and feelings aren’t. In the awakening the narrator truly centers the stage around Edna. Focusing the 3rd person omniscient narration on Edna allows for the reader to delve into her mind, her thoughts and feeling, which enables the readers to fully understand that, Edna, has no malicious intent, rather she wants to be free from society, regardless of her actions.
The narrator allows the reader to see that Edna isn’t necessarily a bad person, for example; she still cares about her family. Edna is a morally ambiguous character because of the action she takes, she’s not evil, just unhappy. The actions she commits throughout the book define her character as such. Whilst reading, the observer understands that Edna leaves her family because she goes through a spiritual awakening. She believes that she is not suited to be a mother or for that matter a wife. Edna falls in love with a young man and has an affair with him behind her husband’s back. Although these actions are certainly negative, it’s shown that she still …show more content…
Believing that she is not made for societies norms, she moves away, leaving her family and business. Edna can’t stand the stress of society and wishes to obtain freedom from it. An example of this is shown when she finds friendship in Mademoiselle [25], who rebels against society herself and seeking art as a way of expressing herself. Leonce is the embodiment of societal norms and pressure, she leaves him to seek happiness and freedom. She is torn, she cares about her family and even visits her children, [94] but cannot give herself to them, or submit to

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