March is Women’s History Month, so it’s a great time to focus on reading literature written by women about women’s stories.
When I was in high school I was tasked with reading “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin and it completely validated all of the feelings I had surrounding motherhood and what it meant to be a woman.
“The Awakening” follows the main character, Edna, in the late nineteenth century as she struggles to achieve sexual and personal liberation from the oppressive societal expectations that surround her as a young, wealthy mother in the south. Edna resents motherhood and the shackles of marriage. She yearns to be an independent woman who is free of her household responsibilities.
As a teenager I knew I didn’t want children, but I was afraid to bring it up with my friends, because of the societal expectation for heterosexual women to get married and happily have children. “The Awakening” showed me that my feelings of not wanting to be a mother were not new or unheard of. It is a normal feeling and I felt validated by Edna’s feelings and her journey.
If you struggle with the feeling of not wanting to have children or how to fit into society as a woman, then you should read “The Awakening”. Edna’s journey is incredibly insightful and can help you grapple with some of your emotions and thoughts. Women’s History Month is the best time to read and celebrate this amazing book!