Abstract: This essay aims to study Kate Chopin’s feminist views by analyzing Edna Pontellier, the heroine in her work The Awakening. Chopin created new female Edna, which revolutionized the traditional ideology, and this was due to the American feminism in the 19th century. The new female was independent, rebellious and anti-traditional. After a brief introduction of Kate Chopin and The Awakening, the essay begins to explore the similarities between Kate Chopin and Edna in two aspects. By comparing their social and family background as well as personal experience, we can find that Kate Chopin conveys her new feminist view through the heroine. After that, this essay tries to study the awakening of Edna’s feminism in three stages: from wifehood and motherhood to selfhood ，and the related factors. By exploring the heroine Edna’s feminism, we can know more about Chopin’s feminist points of view. The key point of this essay is combining the author and the heroine to study the feminist consciousness, which helps us to get a better understanding of the significance of The Awakening in American feminist movement.  

Key words: new female; feminist points of view; The Awakening

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction.1

1.1Kate Chopin and The Awakening

1.2Introduction to Feminism

2.Kate Chopin’s Feminist Points of View Reflected from Edna Pontellier.4 

2.1Similarities between Kate Chopin and Edna Pontellier

2.1.1 Social Background and Family Background

2.1.2 Personal Experiences

2.2The Awakening of Edna’s Feminism

2.2.1Awakening from Wifehood and Motherhood to Selfhood

2.2.2 Factors Contributing to Her Awakening

2.3Kate Chopin’s feminist points of view

3.Conclusion10

Bibliography.12

Acknowledgements13