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Kate Chopin And Jane Austin Feminism

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Since the first real forms of feminist expression came about, it has and will remain a topic of serious discussion and debate. However, thanks to women like Kate Chopin and Jane Austin feminism was able to reach a much larger crowd and project its message on to more than just its few basic closet followers. Throughout the Victorian era, many women began to question their place in this world. Self-expression became a more common thing among women and thus works of literature and art such as The Awakening and Emma came to be. These two novels especially started a foundation for many other feminist artists and writers to build their platforms on and follow in the footsteps of the women and equal rights activists before them. Kate Chopin, …show more content…

Edna took it upon herself to become a symbol of empowerment, no matter the consequences. Edna wasn’t sure of what exactly she wanted, but she did know what she didn’t want and made sure to get as far away from that as possible. Part of her journey to accepting herself was overcoming the monetary things of life. In chapter thirty nine, Edna frees herself of one of the most basic human things, clothing. “Edna had found her old bathing suit still hanging, faded, upon its accustomed peg. She put it on, leaving her clothing in the bath-house. But when she was there beside the sea, absolutely alone, she cast the unpleasant, pricking garments from her, and for the first time in her life she stood naked in the open air, at the mercy of the sun, the breeze that beat upon her, and the waves that invited her. How strange and awful it seemed to stand naked under the sky! How delicious! She felt like some new-born creature, opening its eyes in a familiar world that it had never known.” This was her first step towards freedom This is why the symbol of the bird is so important throughout the novel. Birds have the capability to go wherever they want, whenever they please, yet they often don’t use these benefits. This is because moving on to something new or experiencing a new challenge is not always easy and although it might not be what is best for a person it is often easiest to just stay in the same spot and accept the cards that have been dealt. “A bird with a broken wing

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