Homosexuality is socially not accepted in today’s society. Even though it is much better than it used to be there are still many American citizens that oppose of such behaviors. I do not believe it to be publically appropriate but will not speak out and oppose of it. Even though I don’t think anyone should go through such grief because of the unconscious desire to love. Don’t ask don’t tell was one example on how society did not approve of any such acts. People who are gay or lesbian must go through much pain for an unconscious choice in their life.
I found there to be a connection between the life of Edna in The Awakening and lives of homosexuals. Edna was a female in love with a male but her actions in life and feelings can closely relate to others who are two of the same sex.
If there was a separate story for The Awakening in a different sexuality, it would have a very similar plot. Edna and Robert in love would be like two males or two females in love in another book. Robert fled to Mexico to get away from a relationship that wouldn’t work. That ended Edna’s and Robert’s relationship for a long while. This is like a stop to a gay relationship. The stop could be done by the parents, the partner, society, or any other external forces. Since that type of relationship is not socially accepted it would be easy to stop the relationship just as Robert did by going to Mexico.
While Robert was gone Edna desires to be with him. She isolates herself and lacks her motherly duties. It is human instinct to love. One could have the desire to love someone of the same sex but since that is looked down upon they may shut themselves off from the world. That isolates them just as Edna did to herself. When Edna did this her husband started to worry and consulted a doctor. There are many instances when parents have consulted doctors, medical physicians, or therapists because their child is “not normal.” The children may not be like other kids but that does not mean they are not normal. Normal does not exist everyone is unique. I found a direct connection between what Leonce did and parents of gay children do.
Edna’s next move was moving out to be independent. In today’s world it is not uncommon for kids to move away from their society, parents, or whatever is holding them back from being independent and loving who they wish. For example they may move to a state that allows gay marriages. Again a correlation between the book and the time of the world.
When Robert comes back and says he cannot see Edna anymore. In this instance Robert is representing society separating homosexual love. Edna kills herself by drowning in the Gulf of Mexico. This is very similar, in other context, to the young college student who jumped off the George Washington Bridge after having his personal relations displayed to the public. This is not the only case of suicide. Many gays commit suicide because they can’t bear the humiliation. There is no reason anyone should be so embarrassed to that extent. Even though Edna had a different reason for committing suicide I related the two.
As Kate Chopin said, “She was seeking herself and finding herself in just such sweet, half-darkness which met her moods. But the voices were not soothing that came to her from the darkness and the sky above and the stars. They jeered and sounded mournful notes without promise, devoid even of hope." Today homosexuality seems to be more prevalent than it used to be. There is a lot of controversy about it; like marriage and the army. Homosexuality was parallel to The Awakening in the sense of what happened and what the characters did.
A very thoughtful connection Natalie. Very good!
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