Feminism in Kate Chopin: Research Proposal Sample

Introduction: Feminism in Kate Chopin

Feminism in Kate Chopin and her works explores the complexities of women’s experiences and challenges societal norms through nuanced character portrayals and thematic explorations of autonomy and self-discovery. Amidst the suppressed milieu of women, influenced by her experiences living among various fiercely independent female relations and inspired to empower her characters with freedom akin to Edna in “The Awakening,” Louise Mallard in “The Story of an Hour,” or Calixta in “The Storm,” Kate Chopin portrays her female characters with a desire to attain independence and recognition of their identities. As a staunch feminist, Chopin’s exploration of feminine identity and the search for meaning in life aligns with postmodern feminist theory, as elucidated by Judith Butler. According to Alison Assiter (2005), Chopin sees the pursuit of meaning in life as a normative ideal (11). Indeed, all her characters, whether it be Edna striving to break free from male domination and cease idolizing her husband while worshiping her children (Chopin 24), Louise, who glimpses freedom and exclaims “free, free, at last” (3), or Calixta, pursuing the satisfaction of her bodily desires in freedom, embody Chopin’s portrayal of women’s consciousness of sexual identity. They reject dualistic views of gender identity and challenge the validity of socio-economic constructs in shaping identity.

Conjugal Relations and Feminism in Kate Chopin

The desire for liberation from the confines of stifling marital relationships is a recurring theme among Kate Chopin’s heroines, as noted by Sema Zafar Sumer, who observes that “many of her heroines are preoccupied with the desire to escape the confines of a stifling marriage” (192). This sentiment is evident in the characters of Edna, Louise, and Calixta, as well as in other female protagonists across Chopin’s short stories. These women are acutely aware of their sexual identities and strive to break free from the constraints of oppressive marital life, where rigid gender roles prevail (Ratcliff 1018). However, their efforts are often hindered by the patriarchal society they inhabit, which imposes various socio-economic constraints that limit their autonomy. To further explore this theme, additional analysis of Chopin’s other short stories such as “Desiree’s Baby,” “Beyond the Bayou,” and “The Kiss” is warranted.

Methodology of Exploring Feminism in Kate Chopin

The methodology employed involves the utilization of both primary and secondary sources within the framework of postmodern feminist theory, as articulated by Alison Assiter and other scholars. Through secondary sources, an evaluation is conducted to determine whether Kate Chopin’s female characters exhibit awareness of their sexual identities, gender disparities, and socio-economic constraints, thereby realizing their full potential as individuals. Several secondary critical studies, particularly those pertaining to feminism and postmodern feminism, are examined in this context. Additionally, insights from scholars such as Judith Butler (1990), Harold Bloom (2007), and Xuemei Wan (2009) are considered to delve into the perception of gender differences by characters like Edna, Louise, and Calixta, thus enriching the analysis of Chopin’s work.

Parts in Project on Feminism in Kate Chopin

The project is structured into three distinct parts, each aligned with the specified criteria of postmodern feminist trends evident in Kate Chopin’s work.

The first part will delve into the fundamental tenets of feminism, postmodern feminism, and Kate Chopin’s unique contributions as a trailblazing feminist writer. This section aims to elucidate the distinguishing features of Chopin’s feminist perspective compared to her contemporaries, highlighting her progressive stance.

The second part will focus on an in-depth analysis of Chopin’s characters, examining their awareness of their sexual identities, the agency they derive from it, and the power dynamics associated with it. Furthermore, this section will explore the gender differences depicted in Chopin’s narratives and the role of female characters in navigating and adapting to patriarchal societal norms.

The third part will scrutinize the socio-economic constraints that impede women’s autonomy and opportunities, as portrayed in Chopin’s works. This section aims to shed light on the ways in which socio-economic factors limit or restrict women’s agency and their impact on their immediate surroundings, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-economic constructs prevalent in Chopin’s narratives.

Conclusion: Feminism in Kate Chopin

The overarching aim of this research and critical evaluation is to establish that the ideas central to postmodern feminism—namely, those concerning sexual identity, power dynamics, the rejection of dualistic views of gender identity prevalent in Kate Chopin’s era, and the influence of socio-economic constructs on the recognition of feminine identity—were initiated by Kate Chopin herself, albeit not explicitly articulated as postmodern feminist theory during her time. While theorists and critics have taken time to formulate and interpret these ideas within the framework of postmodern feminism and socio-cultural criticism, this study seeks to demonstrate that Chopin’s fiction served as a pioneering force that laid the groundwork for subsequent interpretations and discussions. Through a comprehensive evaluation of critical studies, this research endeavors to illuminate the ways in which Chopin’s works foreshadowed and informed the emergence of postmodern feminist discourse, thereby affirming her status as a trailblazer in feminist literature and theory.

Works Cited: Feminism in Kate Chopin

1. Abbasi, P. “The Masculine Sea and the Impossibility of Awakening in Chopin’s the Awakening.” K@ta, 14.1 (2012): 37-41.
2. Al-Shalabi, Nazmi. “Kate Chopin’s The Awakening: A Postmodernist Study.” Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 6. 5: (Sep. 2015). 276-282.
3. Artese, Brian. “Teaching Feminist Theory Via Philosophy: Political Implications Of An Ontological Inquiry In Judith Butler’s “Gender Trouble..” (1995): ERIC. Web. 28 Aug. 2016.
4. Assiter, Alison. Enlightened Women: Modernist Feminism in a Postmodern Age. New York. Routledge, 2005.
5. Bate Holmberg, Elizabet, Helena Granlund, Margaret Omberg, and Institutionen för kultur och kommunikation Linköpings universitet. In Search of Eros and Freedom: Four Portraits of Women by Kate Chopin. n.p.: 2009.
6. Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. New York. Routledge. 1990.
7. Baloom, Harlod. Kate Chopin: Updated Edition. New York. Infobase Publishing. 2007.
8. Castro, Amanda. “Storm Warnings: The Eternally Recurring Apocalypse in Kate Chopin’s the Awakening.” Southern Literary Journal, 47.1 (2014): 68-80,134.
9. Chopin, Kate ; Seyersted, Per. Complete Works of Kate Chopin. n.p.: 1969.
10. Davis, William A. “Female Self-Sacrifice in Kate Chopin’s: Conflict and Context.” Notes and Queries, 58.4 (2011): 563-567.
11. Holz, Martin. The Function of Adultery, Contract and Female Identity in Kate Chopin’s ‘The Awakening’. n.p.: 2008.
12. Kearns, Katherine. “The Nullification of Edna Pontellier.” American Literature, 63.1 (1991): 62.
13. Krauss, Kerstin. Kate Chopin – ‘The Storm of the Storm’. n.p.: 2009.
14. McConnell, Mikaela. “A Lost Sense of Self by Ignoring Other in the AWAKENING by Kate Chopin.” The Explicator, 72.1 (2014): 41-44.
15. Rafcliff, Clancy. “Postmodern Feminism.” University of Minnesota, (2006). Web. 29 Aug. 2016.
16. Rennemo, Louise. Exploring the Female Self in the Works of Kate Chopin: A Study in Nineteenth Century Literature, Science and Ideology. n.p.: 2015.
17. Sumer, Sema Zafer. “The Birth Of A New “Self” And A New “Identity” In Kate Chopin’s Short Stories.” Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi 28 (2012): 192-196.
18. Tewelde-Negassi, Sara. “The Denotation of Room and Its Impact on the Construction of Female Identity in Kate Chopin’s the Awakening.” Gender Forum, 45 (2013): N_A.
19. Wan, Xuemei. “Kate Chopin’s View On Death And Freedom In “The Story Of An Hour.” English Language Teaching 2.4 (2009): 167-170. ERIC. Web. 28 Aug. 2016.

Relevant Questions about Feminism in Kate Chopin

1. How does “Feminism in Kate Chopin” challenge traditional gender roles and expectations in her works, and what techniques does she employ to portray female characters as agents of their own lives?
2. In what ways does “Feminism in Kate Chopin” contribute to feminist discourse through her exploration of marriage and motherhood, and how do her narratives critique societal norms surrounding these institutions?
3. How does “Feminism in Kate Chopin” navigate themes of female sexuality and desire in her writings, and what broader feminist insights can be gleaned from her portrayal of women’s agency in expressing their sexual selves?