Individuality and Convention in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening: A Hegelian Dialectic Approach

Abstract

This research paper studies the themes of individuality and convention in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening from a Hegelian dialectic perspective. The significance of the study lies in the fact that it fills a gap in knowledge that has not been fully addressed in relation to the theme of individuality and convention using Hegel’s dialectics. It examines the work to discover the vacillations of the heroine between rebellion and conformity and evaluate the outcome. Hegel’s framework of thesis, antithesis and synthesis is applicable to the analysis of the opposing themes. The study has managed to answer its key research questions. First, convention in the novel is represented by stringent social norms, patriarchy, matrimony, and women’s conformity with them. Second, individualism is mainly represented by Edna who struggles to put her inner self first, her misogamy, and her extra-marital romances. Third, interaction between individuality and convention tips the balance in favor of convention for the following main reasons: Edna’s compliance and ambivalence and Robert’s wavering and estrangement. Ultimately, the thesis comes into interaction with the antithesis to allow convention to prevail, leveraging and isolating Edna before she commits suicide.