Thesis Statement

[Hannah2112]

I have exams tomorrow and we got the prompt for our essay early so we can write an outline. I am terrible at coming up with thesis statements. The prompt is 'Choose a literary work in which a character (from The Awakening) confronts the demands of a private passion that conflicts with his or her responsibilities'. I also have to make sure to put 'because' in the thesis statement. If any of you have read this novel do you have any ideas? I am a terrible writer!

Thank you

[LoveKiss]

I lopved that story. Kate Chopin is one of my favorite authors. But I haven't read it with a critical eye since my sophmore year of college. Sorry.

[Honeybee]

Originally Posted by Hannah2112 I have exams tomorrow and we got the prompt for our essay early so we can write an outline. I am terrible at coming up with thesis statements. The prompt is 'Choose a literary work in which a character (from The Awakening) confronts the demands of a private passion that conflicts with his or her responsibilities'. If any of you have read this novel do you have any ideas? I am a terrible writer! Thank you

Ahem!!! Allow me to begin!!! (Distracting me from my own homework )

Edna Pontellier, a woman in the late 1800s, has very few opportunities for individual expression, and no independence. She is expected to perform her domestic duties and care for the health of her family. As for most Victorian women, Edna is prevented from seeking the satisfaction of her own wants and needs. During Edna's "awakening", she discoveres her own identity and her own emotional and sexual desires, which do not conform with her role as a Victorian woman.

When Edna begins to speak her feelings of independence, she is met with resistance from her husband. When she makes the decision to abandon her fomer lifestyle, Edna realizes that she cannot have both her indepenence and remain sociallly acceptable. Although she knows what she wants, she cannot have it due to her desire to "belong" in the social norm of Victorian society. Her private passions conflict with her responsibilities.

The note Robert leaves for Edna makes it clear to her that she is ultimately alone in her awakening. Once Robert refuses to cross the boundaries of society, Edna acknowledges the profundity of her solitude.

[Hope.]

I think Edna confronted everything head on when she walked into the water deeper and deeper never to return. She realized her affair had been an attempt to stimulate her dull life of numbness but even it wasn't enough to fully awaken her. The only thing to set her free from her own indignant prison of solitude was to let the waves hit her feet. Slowly, she began to feel "something" a release with every wave crashing over her foot. She wanted more so she continued to walk with no intentions of ever coming out because for the first time in a long time...she felt alive.

Such great symbolism!!! I LOVE that book. I have it on my shelf right now.

[Hannah2112]

Thank you!! That really helped

[Daydreamer]

ahem, I am obviously thinking of a DIFFERENT "The Awakening"

*steps out of thread*

[Hope.]

Good luck!