The Subversion of The Concepts of "The Angel in The House" and "Mother-Woman" in The Awakening

Although “The Angel in the House” was first introduced as a concept through Coventry Patmore’s poem of the same name, the ideal image of the Victorian woman had already been widely accepted. Even before Patmore’s poem, numerous literary works, including poetry, novels, and artworks, had depicted women in this manner. The cyclical relationship among social discourse, norms, and literature—where each influences and reinforces the other—ensured the persistence of this pattern. As the concept suggests, these “angels” were confined to their own sphere, the domestic realm, further solidifying the conventional image of women during the Victorian era. The belief that a woman belonged solely to the domestic sphere became so ingrained that even female writers of the time internalized it. However, with the emergence of feminist movements, critics such as Virginia Woolf and Elaine Showalter critically examined and sought to dismantle this symbolic figure. Grounded in feminist criticism, this study investigates how the discourse surrounding The Angel in the House extends beyond literature, becoming a reflection of women’s struggle for social freedom and professional agency. The core of this concept—motherhood—was later explored through a different lens by American writer Kate Chopin in her 1899 novel The Awakening. In this work, Chopin engages with The Angel in the House through the idea of the “mother-woman,” a term she introduces to describe the conventional maternal figure. While Adèle Ratignolle embodies this ideal, the novel’s protagonist, Edna Pontellier, subverts it. Within the rigid Creole society and her marriage, Edna rejects the prioritization of her husband and maternal duties, instead embracing her sexuality, individuality, and personal freedom. Through a feminist critical lens, this study examines how Chopin, through the character of Edna in The Awakening, challenges the long-standing traditional female archetype in literature and constructs a new model of womanhood.