The role of men and women has supposedly changed over time. But has it really? The cookie cutter molds that everyone is supposed to fit into are still existent and thriving. People like the idea of being their own person and not fitting into the stereotype given to them by others, but when they have the opportunity to do so they seem to not accept the challenge. It has always been that men are the “bread winners” with the job making money, cutting the lawn, taking care of the house, maintaining the cars, and doing yard work. Mean while, women are expected to give birth and care for their children, do the cooking, do all the cleaning, and maintain a “perfect” household for their children to grow up in and always have a hot meal ready for their hardworking husbands. Obviously nobody lives up to every aspect of these stereotypes. Some people strive to mirror these cookie cutter lifestyles, while others do everything in their power to be the opposite of these things.
There has always been a negative slant towards females. They are continuously underestimated and taken for granite, in society today and in literature of the past as well as present. Men seem to think that they are more powerful and therefore are entitled to tell women what they can and cannot do, which is absolutely absurd.
In The Awakening, Edna lived her whole life doing what others expected of her. She married her husband Robert because that is what her father wanted her to do, and then she had children because it was what everyone else had expected her to do. The connection between Edna and her children was pretty much non-existent, but somehow when she left the world for her sake it was the wrong choice in the opinion of everyone else. She was stuck living a life that was created for her by men rather than a life that she created for herself. Ultimately, Edna’s choice to take her life was what was best for her even though she left her children. However, Edna was never that deep rooted in her children’s lives, so the initial shock of their mother’s death would affect them but that feeling would wear off quickly.
Personally, I could not imagine living my life the way that others instruct me to. I feel that I should have my own hobbies, husband, children, career, etc of my choice. I also think that once I do get married to the husband of my choice we will share the responsibilities of cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, cutting the lawn, caring for the children, etc. I do not care what others think of me and I will stay true to what I want and what I feel is best for my family and me. Just because a mother works doesn’t mean she does not love her children or take good care of them. I am not going to be the girl that boys say “make me a sandwich, bitch.” This is the opposite of what Edna was.
:-) Very good Mich.
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