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Library's collection Library's IT development CancelIn The Awakening, Edna Pontellier is portrayed as a woman who dares to
commit adulteries and do some actions which are so contradictory with the male
authority that has dominated the world; the patriarchal system. The Awakening is a
mirror image to feminism, which is women?s awareness and emancipation to the male
authority. Concerning the topic that is brought up in The Awakening that is about
Edna?s rebellion against the patriarchal system, I am curious to know what makes her
rebel against the patriarchal system and how she searches her goals. Therefore for the
purpose, this thesis is conducted to find out those questions. Hence, the discussion
will be on the reason behind the main female character?s rebellion toward the
traditional rules that the society holds and the way Edna faces her oppressive
marriage. In the discussion of the problems, I use a cultural approach focusing on
feminism. Later, in my findings, it is discovered that Edna has been left depressed
with her marriage due to her husband?s superiority that leaves her as an inferior and
worthless creature. Refusing to be treated like one any further, Edna struggles hard to
fight the patriarchal system for the hope of freedom, equality and self-assertion
merely as a woman by changing her own character from a submissive and weak
woman to a one with a strong and independent nature. Her struggles that reflect the
element of feminist proves that she is determinant and persistent with her goals that
she gradually gains something. In conclusion, Edna wants to prove to the society that
a woman does not deserve to be treated unfairly just because of the biological
differences between the two sexes. As a woman, Edna is as equal as man and
therefore can have the equality in all aspects, including in the marriage.