The mental health issues raised in “The Awakening”, written by Kate Chopin, could be understood from social perspectives, historical understanding, gender-based differences, and cultural influence on women. The main issue was that the women of the 19th century were facing mental illness due to a number of issues. The considered female population had severe mental illness problems, which resulted in the opposing behaviour of the male doctors and their husbands. The main aim is to understand the mental health issues raised in the book by the author related to anxiety and depression.
The novel mainly discusses the perceived mental illness resulting from depression and anxiety in women because of the rejection of marriage and motherhood by men. The considered character was Edna, who had opposing behaviour towards Léonce and her doctor, Mandelet. The most common and highlighted issue was that the women desired their selfhood and scrutiny, which they faced when they were observed looking for autonomy. In the novel, Edna has a problem facing mental instability, which results in the desire for selfhood. Eden is highly frustrated because of Robert’s inability to escape from the ties of society.
There was a discussion of love between Edna and Robert, which was known to Mademoiselle Reisz. Edna was unable to admit it and was fallen into highly stressed conditions. The conservative conditions of society encapsulated her completely because of her being a female and opposing the regular course of society.
References
Wolff, C. G. (1973). Thanatos and Eros: Kate Chopin’s The Awakening. American Quarterly, 25(4), 449-471.
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