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AWEJ for Translation & Literary Studies, Volume 7, Number 1. February  2023                                Pp.195-207

Individuality and Convention in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening: A Hegelian Dialectic Approach

1Department of English, College of Science and Humanities in Hawtat bani Tamim,
Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Zip Code: 11942, Saudi Arabia;
English Department, ISEAH, Kef, Jendouba University, Tunisia

Reham Ali Al-Mogheerah2, Nourah Abdullah Al-Sakhabrah2, Manar Abdulaziz Al- Humeid2, Bashayer Abdullah Al-Qahtani2, Hadeel Rashed Al-Bejan2, Haya Mohammed Al -Taleb2, Rahaf Badah Al-Break2

2Department of English, College of Science and Humanities in Hawtat bani Tamim,
Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Zip Code: 11942, Saudi Arabia

Abstract:

This research paper studies the themes of individuality and convention in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening from a Hegelian dialectic perspective. The significance of the study lies in the fact that it fills a gap in knowledge that has not been fully addressed in relation to the theme of individuality and convention using Hegel’s dialectics. It examines the work to discover the vacillations of the heroine between rebellion and conformity and evaluate the outcome. Hegel’s framework of thesis, antithesis and synthesis is applicable to the analysis of the opposing themes. The study has managed to answer its key research questions. First, convention in the novel is represented by stringent social norms, patriarchy, matrimony, and women’s conformity with them. Second, individualism is mainly represented by Edna who struggles to put her inner self first, her misogamy, and her extra-marital romances. Third, interaction between individuality and convention tips the balance in favor of convention for the following main reasons: Edna’s compliance and ambivalence and Robert’s wavering and estrangement. Ultimately, the thesis comes into interaction with the antithesis to allow convention to prevail, leveraging and isolating Edna before she commits suicide.

Cite as:

Saoudi, B., Al-Mogheerah,R.A., Al-Sakhabrah, N. A., Al-Humeid, M.A., Al-Qahtani, B.A., Al-Bejan, H. R., Al-Taleb, H. M., & Al-Break, R .B. (2023). Individuality and Convention in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening: A Hegelian Dialectic Approach. Arab World English Journal for Translation & Literary Studies 7 (1): 195-207.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awejtls/vol7no1.15

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Bechir Saoudi got his Ph.D. in English Literature and Cultural Studies from the University of Manouba, Tunisia. He is currently an Assistant Professor of English literature at the English Department of the College of Science and Humanities, Hawtat bani Tamim, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia. His research interests are in the literary, critical, and cultural studies domain.
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5593-6891

 

The rest of the authors are graduate students of English Language and Literature at the College of Science and Humanities, Hawtat Bani
Tamim, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.

Reham Ali Al-Mogheerah’s ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2302-2707

Nourah Abdullah Al-Sakhabrah’s ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7326-6617

Manar Abdulaziz Al-Humeid’s ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6061-3410

Bashayer Abdullah Al-Qahtani’s ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5994-4220

Hadeel Rashed Al-Bejan’s ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9034-3204

Haya Mohammed Al-Taleb’s ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7542-8912

Rahaf Badah Al-Break’s ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6869-7399