Kate Chopin did a great job of breaking stereotypical female gender roles in her novel "The Awakening." The authors have an important position in the creation of the feminist movement that could bring an influential change in society. So the purpose of this essay is to analyze gender and societal expectations in Kate Chopin's novel “The Awakening.” In the novel Chopin portrayed and lightened the life, role and experiences of the protagonist in her society where the role of a woman is limited to her gender and society's expectations. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayEdna, the female protagonist, breaks free from the limitations of society, has discovered that women should not be limited and controlled by what culture defines her by gender as a woman, begins to find her position in this vast world and among all the beauty that surrounded his life he said: “The voice of the sea is seductive; without ever ceasing, whispering, shouting, murmurs, inviting the soul to wander for a time in the abyss of solitude; get lost in the labyrinths of interior contemplation. The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensual, it envelops the body in its soft and tight embrace. It is an absolute self-discovery and a reminder of the identity that has been stolen from women as women by gender; observe life and break all the limitations of women created by the patriarchal society. Chopin wants women to believe and listen to their feelings, he wants them to free themselves from all obstacles established for her gender; live a life as a free human being. Chopin creates the character of Edna different from the stereotype of the late 19th century mother who is taught to sacrifice her life for the sake of her children and husband, who completely ignores her feelings and needs for freedom and simply follows the mold that society created for her; Chopin brought into his novel a type of deferential mother who finds time for herself and breaks the stereotype of the maternal role and still loves her children; “He loved his children in an erratic and impulsive way. Sometimes he collected them passionately in his heart; sometimes he forgot them. They…. they spend part of the summer with their grandmother Pontellier in Iberville. Their absence was something of a relief, even if she didn't admit it even to herself. Chopin wants to awaken the women of her time who like the material to be owned and possessed by husband, children and role in life. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, I would focus on one of Chopin's significant quotes in this novel: “The past was nothing to her; he offered her no lesson that she was willing to heed. The future was a mystery he never attempted to penetrate. Only the present was significant”, which conveys an important message for every woman on this planet and especially for third word women, who still suffer from the role created and labeled for their gender, every time you find your position of human being alive, you have achieved and realized your freedom at the right time, which is never late, to gather your present and continue to rise towards the prominent future and never look back at the horrible past which left you nothing else what a pain, move forward with your present and break whatever obstacles stand in your way to success.