Moral Ambiguity in Kate Chopins The Awakening essays

Moral Ambiguity in Kate Chopin's The Awakening essays Morality lies in the eyes of the beholder. The concept of good and evil can vary with one person to the next. Certainly, a married woman loving a man other than her husband could be viewed as a sinner evil. Yet, someone may ask if her husband treated her poorly, or if she was seduced and it might be acceptable. Edna Pontellier was that woman, though neither excuse applies, so is she evil? This moral ambiguity shrouds Ednas character throughout Kate Chopins novel, The Awakening, emphasizing the theme of being true to ones self above all else, even societys views of morality. The imagery accompanying Edna, specifically her physical features, and the color yellow confuse the reader further of Ednas moral stance. Ednas physical appearance was always quite unconventional, not the typical society pleasing woman. She was not the embodiment of every womanly grace and charm as was Adele Ratignolle, but rather handsome than beautiful. A man is usually described as handsome; this depicts Edna as being somewhat androgynous, a mixture of man and woman, of good and evil. Once Edna was awakened to her self and accepted this unique characteristic she had all the men in New Orleans at her feet. Edna never completely devoted her self to any of these men either, underlining the point that she did not need anyone elses approval; she did not need a man to complete her, and she was never going to sacrifice her self for anyone. This could all be viewed as selfish in ones eyes or progressive in anothers, thus keeping Ednas character in the gray. Or yellow...Yellow was a major color surrounding Ednas appearance at her grand affair celebrating her independence. The tablecloth, a cover of pale yellow satin under strips of lacework, the candles burning softly under yellow silk shades, the yellow roses that ...