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124 The Awakening Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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The Awakening by Kate Chopin is a novel that has captivated readers for over a century with its powerful portrayal of a woman's journey towards self-discovery and independence. If you are tasked with writing an essay on this classic piece of literature, you may be struggling to come up with a topic that will truly engage your audience. To help you out, we have compiled a list of 124 essay topic ideas and examples that will inspire you to craft a compelling and thought-provoking piece of writing.

• The Role of Women in The Awakening: How does Chopin challenge traditional gender roles in the novel?
• The Symbolism of the Sea in The Awakening: What does the ocean represent for Edna Pontellier?
• Edna's Awakening: Analyze the moment when Edna realizes her true desires and ambitions.
• The Theme of Freedom in The Awakening: How does Edna's quest for independence drive the narrative?
• The Relationship Between Edna and Robert: Explore the dynamics of their complex and forbidden love.
• The Societal Expectations of Women in the 19th Century: How do these expectations impact Edna's journey?
• The Importance of Art in The Awakening: How does Edna's artistic expression symbolize her desire for freedom?
• The Role of Motherhood in The Awakening: How does Edna's role as a mother influence her awakening?
• The Conflict Between Individuality and Society in The Awakening: How does Edna navigate this struggle?
• The Awakening as a Feminist Text: Analyze the novel through a feminist lens.
• The Symbolism of Birds in The Awakening: What do birds represent in the novel?
• The Theme of Isolation in The Awakening: How does Edna's isolation contribute to her awakening?
• The Symbolism of Music in The Awakening: How does music influence Edna's journey?
• The Influence of Creole Culture in The Awakening: How does Edna's surroundings impact her awakening?
• The Role of Religion in The Awakening: How does Edna's rejection of religion reflect her desire for freedom?
• The Symbolism of Clothing in The Awakening: How does Edna's wardrobe change throughout the novel?
• The Theme of Escape in The Awakening: How does Edna attempt to escape the constraints of society?
• The Symbolism of Water in The Awakening: What does water represent in the novel?
• The Theme of Self-Destruction in The Awakening: How does Edna's journey towards independence lead to her downfall?
• The Influence of Realism in The Awakening: How does Chopin's writing style reflect the realism movement?
• The Theme of Class in The Awakening: How does social class impact Edna's awakening?
• The Symbolism of Light and Darkness in The Awakening: What do these contrasting elements represent in the novel?
• The Role of Nature in The Awakening: How does nature influence Edna's awakening?
• The Symbolism of the Parrot in The Awakening: What does the parrot symbolize in the novel?
• The Theme of Identity in The Awakening: How does Edna's search for identity drive the narrative?
• The Influence of Romanticism in The Awakening: How does Chopin incorporate romantic elements into the novel?
• The Theme of Sexuality in The Awakening: How does Edna's sexuality impact her awakening?
• The Symbolism of the Seafood Dinner in The Awakening: What does the dinner scene represent in the novel?
• The Theme of Rebellion in The Awakening: How does Edna rebel against societal norms?
• The Influence of Naturalism in The Awakening: How does Chopin use naturalistic elements in the novel?
• The Role of Women's Rights in The Awakening: How does the novel address issues of women's rights?
• The Symbolism of the Pigeon House in The Awakening: What does the pigeon house symbolize for Edna?
• The Theme of Motherhood vs. Independence in The Awakening: How does Edna balance her role as a mother with her desire for independence?
• The Influence of Impressionism in The Awakening: How does Chopin's writing style reflect impressionistic techniques?
• The Theme of Loneliness in The Awakening: How does Edna's loneliness drive her awakening?
• The Symbolism of the Cigarette in The Awakening: What does the cigarette represent in the novel?
• The Theme of Femininity in The Awakening: How does Edna challenge traditional notions of femininity?
• The Role of Marriage in The Awakening: How does Edna's marriage to Leonce impact her awakening?
• The Symbolism of the Awakening in The Awakening: What does Edna's awakening symbolize for women of the time?
• The Theme of Love in The Awakening: How does Edna's understanding of love evolve throughout the novel?
• The Influence of Symbolism in The Awakening: How does Chopin use symbolism to convey deeper meaning in the novel?
• The Theme of Desire in The Awakening: How does Edna's desires shape her awakening?
• The Role of Artistic Expression in The Awakening: How does Edna's art reflect her innermost desires?
• The Symbolism of the Pontellier House in The Awakening: What does the house represent in the novel?
• The Theme of Transformation in The Awakening: How does Edna transform throughout the course of the novel?
• The Influence of Realism in The Awakening: How does Chopin use realistic elements to depict the lives of women in the 19th century?
• The Theme of Independence in The Awakening: How does Edna's quest for independence drive the narrative?
• The Role of Female Friendship in The Awakening: How do relationships with other women influence Edna's awakening?
• The Symbolism of the Sleeping Woman in The Awakening: What does the sleeping woman represent in the novel?
• The Theme of Self-Discovery in The Awakening: How does Edna discover her true self throughout the novel?
• The Theme of Repression in The Awakening: How does societal repression impact Edna's awakening?
• The Theme of Motherhood vs. Independence in The Awakening: How does Edna balance her role as a mother with her desire for

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The Awakening

By kate chopin, the awakening study guide.

The Awakening was published in 1899, and it immediately created a controversy. Kate Chopin 's contemporaries were shocked by her depiction of a woman with active sexual desires, who dares to leave her husband and have an affair. Instead of condemning her protagonist, Chopin maintains a neutral, non-judgmental tone throughout and appears to even condone her character's unconventional actions. Kate Chopin was socially ostracized after the publication of her novel, which was almost forgotten until the second half of the twentieth century.

The Awakening is often considered in association with one of three distinct movements: the local-color movement, naturalism, and modern-day feminism. The local-color movement was a literary movement popular during the 1890s. Local-color writers focused on a particular region of the United States and tried to recreate its culture, dialect, and customs in minute detail. At this time, the United States was still very fragmented culturally, and local-colorists wanted to convey the "quaintness" of a minority culture to mainstream American society. The Awakening portrays the Creole culture of Louisiana in vivid detail, and other of Chopin's fictional works deal with this area of the country.

Naturalism is another turn-of-the-century literary movement. In naturalist writing, characters' motivations are strongly influenced by their environment, frequently in negative ways. Characters behave in a certain way because their environment has a direct affect on how they view the world, themselves, and other people. Naturalist writers tried to convey the grim reality of life, often with particular attention to crime, poverty, and moral vice. The Awakening is often associated with American naturalist writing because of the profound effect that the ocean has on Edna Pontellier 's interiority.

Finally, The Awakening has been reclaimed by late twentieth-century theorists who see Edna Pontellier as the prototypical feminist. A woman before her time, Edna questions the institution of marriage, has sexual desires of her own, and becomes completely independent of her husband.

The Awakening Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Awakening is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Who returns on page 102

Sorry, my page numbers may not be the same as yours.

The Awakening Chapter 16 Help

I think this is part of the nonconformist theme of the book. Edna embarks on a path of emotional, intellectual, and sexual awakening after spending a very pleasant summer with her young admirer, Robert Lebrun. In trying to gain a sense of herself...

The sea is wild cold and limitless: Edna plunged and swam about with an abandon that thrilled and invigorated her.

Study Guide for The Awakening

The Awakening study guide contains a biography of Kate Chopin, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Awakening
• The Awakening Summary
• Character List
• Chapters 1-3 Summary and Analysis
• Related Links

Essays for The Awakening

The Awakening literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Awakening.

• Morality and Self-sacrifice
• Symbol of Clothing
• The Only Ending for Edna in The Awakening
• Womanhood in The Awakening and The Yellow Wall-Paper
• The Open Sea: The Centrality of Ambiguity in Kate Chopin's The Awakening

Lesson Plan for The Awakening

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Awakening
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• The Awakening Bibliography

E-Text of The Awakening

The Awakening E-Text contains the full text of The Awakening

• Chapters 1-3
• Chapters 4-6
• Chapters 7-9
• Chapters 10-12
• Chapters 13-15

Wikipedia Entries for The Awakening

• Introduction
• Film and television

86 The Awakening Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best the awakening topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 most interesting the awakening topics to write about, 👍 good research topics about the awakening, ❓ the awakening questions.

• Naturalism in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin The author of this novel was more of a naturalist than of a realist, and she was very bold in writing this book because, during her time, it was unthinkable for a woman to be […]
• “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin The Awakening is a novel by Kate Chopin published in 1899. The novel is an earlier work of feminism as it shows a woman’s search for identity by rejecting oppressive social norms.
• Edna’s Suicide in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening” Thesis: Edna’s journey to the end of the sea at the end of the novel can be interpreted in two ways: the simplistic one being that Edna commits suicide and a deeper interpretation being it’s […]
• “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin She is the perfect Victorian example of what Edna is expected to be, but Edna is incapable of keeping up the act, which is all her marriage and family really are to her.
• The Representation of Masculinity in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin The author of this novel, Kate Chopin, was brought up in an intellectual environment and was aware of the marital problems that were experienced during the Victorian period.’The Awakening’ is a novel that is written […]
• Reflection on “The Awakening Novel” by Kate Chopin Edna Pontellier and her family spend their summer in the Isle resort belonging to the father of Robert Lebrun. Edna seems to survive in the relationship because of the society and her two sons “Think […]
• “The Courageous Soul that Dares and Defies”: Naturalism in The Awakening Set in turn of the century New Orleans, The Awakening details the futile attempts of the protagonist, Edna Pontellier, to realize a modicum of personal freedom amid the socially constrictive Victorian era, wherein the roles […]
• Women’s Role in The Yellow Wallpaper, The Awakening, & The Revolt of Mother Sarah then decides to drop the matter because she knows that it is not her place to go against the wishes of her husband.
• Water in The Awakening by Alexandre Koffi Edna begins her awakening or the knowledge that life is more than being a submissive wife and mother when she is at the seashore.
• Instances of Awakening in Chopin’s Novel Although she does not yet fully understand her thoughts, she is deeply aware of a change coming over her, causing her to openly and defiantly resist her husband’s calls to her to come in from […]
• Phrase “Women’s Movement” and Novel “The Awakening” by K. Chopin The novel shows the sea as a metaphor for the seducer and the gulf consciousness. The structure of the story or the plot was intricate and climactic.
• Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening” The husband does not expect such a response from the wife and rebukes Edna for neglecting children, a feat unheard in a perfect patriarchal society, where the woman is supposed to be submissive and attend […]
• Kate Chopin’s Novel The Awakening Kate lost all her siblings and by the time she was 24 she was a single child. Kate was sentimentally exhausted and she needed to turn to composing as a way of squeezing out her […]
• A Comparison Between “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin and “Wild Swans” by Edna St. Vincent Millay On the other hand, the speaker in Millay’s poem puts across feminine feelings of distress and hopelessness, by being cruel towards her heart.
• Feminism and Emotional Liberation in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• Issues of Sexuality in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• The Use of Nature and the Human Soul in Langston Hughes Poems and “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• Comparison of Women in “The Awakening” and “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
• The Role of Mademoiselle Reisz in Discovering the True Character off Edna in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• Understanding Realism in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• The Notion of a Great Journey in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain
• Symbolism for Independence and Freedom in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• Wolff’s View on Feminine Sexuality in Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• The Role of Women in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• Imagery and Symbolism in the First and Final Passages of Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• Edna Pontellier’s Fall From Grace in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• Theme of Isolation in Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”, Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums” and Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• Women’s Issues in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• The Evolution of the Opportunities of Women in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• The Experience of Reading Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening” and Identifying With Edna Pontellier
• The Irresponsibility of Edna Rather Than Suicide as the Cause of Her Death in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• Relationship Between Chopin’s Life and “The Awakening”
• The Struggle of Edna Pontellier With Three Opposing Powers in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• Love in Tennessee Williams’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” and Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• The State of Women in the Victorian Period in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• Selfhood and Motherhood in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• The Comparison Between Flaubert’s “Madame Bovary” and Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• The Symbolic Role of Birds in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• Identity and Gender Reflections in Edith Wharton’s “The House of Mirth” and Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• Use of Imagery in Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• Definition of Life Experience in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• Internal Conflicts in Society in “The Age of Innocence” by Edith Wharton and “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• The Influence of Mademoiselle Reisz in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• Transformation of Edna Pontellier in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• The Oppression of Women in Society in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening” and Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”
• “The Revolt of Mother” by Freeman and “The Awakening” by Chopin
• The Transformation of Edna Pontellier in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• Leblanc’s Analysis of Sexuality in Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• Women’s Limitations in Society in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• Literary Criticism of Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening” Comparing Modern Reception With That of the 1800s
• Women and Sexism in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• Water Appeal in “Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain and “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• Symbols of Oppression in the First and Final Passages of Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• The Ideal of Womanhood in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening”
• The Growing Depression of Edna Pontellier in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
• What Is the Central Message of “The Awakening”?
• What Do the Birds Symbolize in “The Awakening”?
• What Symbolizes Edna in “The Awakening”?
• Did the 1800s Influence “The Awakening”?
• Is “The Awakening” Scary?
• What Are the Symbols in “The Awakening”?
• Why Did Edna Drown Herself in “The Awakening”?
• Why Was “The Awakening” So Controversial?
• Was “The Awakening” Banned?
• What Is the Story of “The Awakening”?
• What Features Make “The Awakening” a Local Color Story?
• How Long Does It Take to Read “The Awakening”?
• When Was “The Awakening” Banned?
• Is “The Awakening” a Good Book?
• How Is “The Awakening” Not a Feminist Novel?
• Is “The Awakening” a Tragedy?
• How Does “The Awakening” End?
• Is “The Awakening” a True Story?
• What Does the Owl Represent in “The Awakening”?
• What Is the Main Idea of “The Awakening”?
• Is “The Awakening” a Feminist Novel?
• What Is the Overall Meaning of “The Awakening”?
• How Were the Yellow Wallpaper and “The Awakening” Influenced?
• What Is the Central Conflict in “The Awakening”?
• Who Does Edna Cheat Within “The Awakening”?
• Is Edna From “The Awakening” a Feminist?
• What Role Does the Sea Play in Chopin’s “The Awakening”?
• What Did Critics Say About “The Awakening”?
• What Is the Climax of “The Awakening”?
• What Was “The Awakening” Inspired By?
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The Awakening

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books — The Awakening

Essays on The Awakening

Prompt examples for "the awakening" essays, edna pontellier's awakening.

Discuss the process of Edna Pontellier's awakening to her own desires and independence in "The Awakening." How does she evolve throughout the novel, and what factors contribute to her transformation?

Gender Roles and Societal Expectations

Analyze the role of gender roles and societal expectations in the novel. How do the constraints of late 19th-century society limit the choices available to women like Edna, and how does she challenge these norms?

Symbolism of the Sea

Examine the symbolism of the sea in "The Awakening." How does the ocean represent freedom, escape, and self-discovery for Edna? Discuss its role as both a liberating and destructive force in her life.

Sexuality and Desire

Discuss the themes of sexuality and desire in the novel. How do Edna's romantic entanglements and affairs reflect her growing awareness of her own desires? Analyze the consequences of her pursuit of passion.

Motherhood and Identity

Explore the theme of motherhood and its impact on Edna's identity. How does her role as a mother, particularly in contrast to her friend Adele Ratignolle, influence her choices and self-perception? Discuss the tension between maternal responsibilities and personal aspirations.

The Ending and Its Interpretations

Analyze the ending of the novel and the various interpretations of Edna's fate. Do you believe her actions at the end of the story represent a triumph of self-discovery or a tragic outcome? Explore the ambiguity of the ending.

Conformity in The Awakening

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A Mother-woman Role in The Awakening by Kate Chopin

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87 The Awakening Essay Topics That Will Get You Thinking

Oct 19, 2022

Oct 19, 2022 | Topics

The Awakening is a classic American novel by Kate Chopin. It was published in 1899, and it’s often considered one of the first feminist works. The story follows Edna Pontellier (the protagonist) as she realizes that women have greater potential than being wives and mothers. She explores her sexuality and spirituality while experiencing life in New Orleans during the late 1800s.

If you’re assigned an essay on The Awakening or want to learn more about this literary masterpiece, check out this list of the Awakening Essay topics below!

Simple The Awakening Essay Topics

• How do you feel about the ending?
• What was your favorite part of the book? Why?
• Is it possible to be a feminist without being a feminist and not knowing it?
• What does this story have to say about gender roles and society in general, and has it changed how you view these things today?
• The awakening of Edna Pontellier
• The symbolism of water in the novel
• Melville’s symbol for the sea and its effect on people
• The role of color in the novel and how it relates to the characters’ personalities
• The role of nature in Hurston’s writing, particularly as a source of power for black women

Easy The Awakening Essay Topics

• How does the character of Edna change in the course of the novel?
• Compare and contrast Edna’s marriage to Leonce with another pair in literature.
• What does it mean for a woman to be “unsexed” at that period?
• What is the role of women in society as depicted by Kate Chopin’s The Awakening?
• Why does Edna Pontellier commit suicide at the end of the novel?
• What is the significance of Madame Ratignolle’s nickname, and how does it relate to her role in the novel?
• How does Edna Pontellier represent various aspects of nature through her character development?
• How does Chopin’s depiction of the human spirit in The Awakening differ from other depictions of American society in the period?
• Why does Chopin use a narrative point of view that distances Edna from her readers?
• How can we see The Awakening as relevant today, more than 100 years after its publication?

Interesting The Awakening Essay Topics

• How does the author use imagery to represent nature in the story?
• What are some examples of symbolism in the story?
• What is Kate Chopin’s use of figurative language and imagery to convey mood, tone, and theme in The Awakening?
• The use of symbolism in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening
• A critical analysis of the characters and their development in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening.
• An analysis of the effects of naturalism on the theme, plot, and characterization in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening.
• Kate Chopin uses setting as a literary device in her novel The Awakening.

Controversial The Awakening Essay Topics

• How different is Edna’s life compared to other women of her era?
• What do we learn about society and gender roles through the development of Edna’s character?
• Is Chopin’s novel a feminist work, and if so, in what way(s)?
• Did Kate Chopin portray women as weak in her story?
• How did Chopin describe time and place in this book?
• What is the significance of water in The Awakening?
• The role of women in the Victorian era and how this affected Kate Chopin’s writing
• Kate Chopin’s background and influences, such as her husband’s death and its effect on her writing.
• How Edna Pontellier symbolizes the oppressed woman and female sexuality in The Awakening.
• A comparison between Edna Pontellier and Madame Bovary, a character from Flaubert’s classic novel, was also an independent woman with a desire for freedom.

The Awakening Essay Topics for Kids

• The reader and Nick’s relationship.
• The use of foreshadowing throughout the book.
• Visions of suicide and infidelity
• The role of women in society and the effect on their lives
• Education, social class, and sexual awakening
• The role of nature in the book
• The theme of confrontation between social norms and emotion
• What do you think will happen next?
• What happens to the two main characters in the story?
• How does Edna feel about her marriage?
• Describe how society treats women at this time in history.
• What do you think happens to Edna after she leaves Robert?

The Awakening Essay Topics for Middle School

• Discuss the role of nature in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening.
• Compare and contrast Edna Pontellier with other characters in The Awakening
• Analyze how the author portrays women in The Awakening by Kate Chopin.
• What do you think of the way Chopin developed her characters?
• What kind of influence did Edna’s mother have over her life?
• In the novel, why do you think that Chopin chose to make Madame Ratignolle so vain and self-centered?
• Compare and contrast Kate Chopin’s The Awakening to other works of literature.
• What are some of the themes in The Awakening?
• How does a text like this change our perception of society?

The Awakening Essay Topics for High School

• Does Edna eventually find what she was searching for through her affair with Robert Lebrun?
• How does the novel explore the role of gender in society?
• Does Chopin believe that women are subjugated to men?
• Why does Chopin portray Edna’s gender struggles in a dream sequence?
• What does Kate Chopin mean when she describes Edna as “a strange woman”?
• Do you agree with Edna’s decision in the end? Give reasons for both sides
• How does Chopin use symbolism in her story about Edna Pontellier’s awakening? Give examples from the text

The Awakening Essay Topics for College

• Analyze Kate Chopin’s style and technique in this novel.
• What role does nature play in The Awakening?
• What effect does religion have on Edna’s life and decisions at this time (and later)?
• The role of nature in The Awakening
• The role of gender roles in The Awakening
• How Chopin’s life influenced her work, and vice-versa
• The influence of other artists on Chopin
• Are other characters in The Awakening echo Edna’s passion for art ?
• What effect does Chopin’s portrayal of social class have on the story?
• Compare and contrast Edna and Marie.
• What are some other themes in the novel?

The Awakening Essay Questions

• How does Chopin use symbols in The Awakening?
• Which character do you identify with most and why?
• What is Edna’s goal at the story’s beginning, and what changes as she progresses through it?
• What are the themes in The Awakening?
• What is the meaning of the title?
• How does Chopin portray Edna’s awakening?
• Why is Edna a tragic heroine, despite her great strength and independence?

In this post, we’ve looked at some of the best awakening essay topics you can choose from. If you want to write your awakening essay but don’t know where to start, consider choosing one of these topics!

With a passion for education and student empowerment, I create blog content that speaks directly to the needs and interests of students. From study hacks and productivity tips to career exploration and personal development

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The Awakening Critical Analysis Essay

Caught in a Wake of Illusions To remain, or not to remain: that is the question. In The Awakening, a novella by Kate Chopin, the main character, Edna, explores the depth of this question as she awakens from her blind submission to society’s demands. Realizing for the first time in her life that she is trapped in a box culturally deemed appropriate for women, she struggles to break free and pursue individuality. In the processes of trying to find herself, she sacrifices society’s approval, her husband’s desires, her home, and her social standing.

Reflecting on her life Edna says, “Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than remain a dupe to illusions all one’s life. ” These lines encompass the overarching moral of the story and emphasize that the self-awareness and wisdom that come with awakening are far more important than any comforts ignorance might provide. Therefore, it is crucial that individuals understand the implications and sacrifices involved in both yielding to and refusing social conformity. Remaining conformed to cultural standards is a sacrifice of independence and uniqueness.

This is most noted when the narrator describes, “In short, [Edna] was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an individual… How few of us ever emerge from such beginning! How many souls perish in its tumult! ” In other words, it is nearly impossible to come back to life as it’s been after having a taste of freedom because it would require sacrificing one’s individuality. Edna is experiencing a new state of understanding as the narrator describes, “She began to look with her own eyes; to see and to apprehend the deeper undercurrents of life.

No longer was she content to ‘feed upon opinion. ” This indicates that before Edna was awoken she did not have her own identity and merely “fed upon opinion. ” She was brainwashed by society and followed its standards without questioning. This need to sacrifice independence to seek culture’s endorsement is a high price to pay. Likewise, pursuing individuality requires sacrificing the approval of others. Once Edna discovers her feelings for Robert and the two of them are on the island she inquires, “How many years have I slept? The whole island seems changed.

A new race of beings must have sprung up, leaving only you and me as past relics. ” This fantasy both reveals Edna’s desire to be alone with Robert and personifies the only circumstance under which the relationship would be possible. Since society would not approve of their love, each of them would have to relinquish their reputation to be with one another. Right before the story ends Edna repeats Robert’s last words which were, “Good-bybecause I love you. ” And she perceives, “[Robert] did not know; he did not understand. He would never understand.

In other words, Robert refuses to be with Edna because he does not realize the importance of sacrifice and is unwilling to give up their society’s conventional traditions. Although the journey toward freedom may stir up desires for that which is unattainable, or even forbidden by society, it does not have to be the moral issue that it was in Edna’s case. Her particular adulterous yearning is simply an example of what could also be a genuine longing to do things unconventionally. Whatever the pursuit may be, going after a sense of eccentricity will elicit forgoing the approval of others.

Furthermore, prioritizing freedom and desiring to break away from authority involves a sacrifice of personal relationships and the risk of alienating loved ones. Edna faces this struggle with her husband, Mr. Pontellier because she feels like he controls her. After her first awakening experience, Edna’s husband demands that she come inside and go to bed and it is noted that, “She wondered if her husband had ever spoken to her like that before, and if she had submitted to his command. Of course she had; she remembered that she had.

But she could not realize why or how she should have yielded, feeling as she then did. This realization that her husband used to control her and Edna’s refusal to continue obeying him demarks the first steps she takes toward taking control of her own life. The second prominent example of blatant disregard for her husband’s wishes is when Edna moves into her own house. No longer wis to live in her husband’s house, she moves to her own as the narrator points out, “The pigeon-house pleased her.

It at once assumed the intimate character of a home, while she herself invested it with a charm… Every step which she took toward relieving herself from obligations added to her strength and expansion as an individual. This validates Edna’s desire to be free from her former life and highlights the fact that she is only able to truly flourish when she is on her own. Sadly, one must be willing to give up relationships in order to fully achieve this sense of independence. At first glance, oblivion’s seductive incentives of peace and tranquility may seem inviting, but upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that living a mundane, robotic existence is artificial and lacks the vivaciousness of life. However, acting upon this realization, or awakening, necessitates giving up society’s approval and separating oneself from loved ones.

Kate Chopin gives an excellent example of these sacrifices in The Awakening, in which Edna must pay the price for removing civilization’s blindfold to establish her own identity. Remaining conformed is a sacrifice of independence, while pursuing individuality and freedom is a sacrifice of relationships and society’s validation. Although Edna must suffer in light of this epiphany, she discovers that the self-cognizance and understanding that accompany an awakening are far more important than the inconsequential luxuries that come from remaining a victim of delusions.

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30+ of the best quotes from "The Awakening"

Blending fantasy and romance, Nora Roberts explores questions of identity and destiny through a young woman's journey. Discover inspiring quotes from "The Awakening."

Released in 2020, The Awakening is the first book in the Dragon Heart Legacy, a captivating trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts . A saga of self-discovery and a contemporary romance graced with elements of fantasy, the novel transports listeners from Philadelphia to the mystical land of Talamh and The Valley of Fey. It revolves around Breen Kelly, a young woman burdened by student loans and a mundane job, who discovers that her mother has been hiding a significant inheritance from her. Liberated by her newfound wealth, Breen travels to Ireland with her best friend, Marco. There, she stumbles on a portal to a magical world. In Talamh, she meets Keegan, the leader of the realm, and learns of her own extraordinary lineage and powers.

In this novel and the next two installments, The Becoming and The Choice , we follow Breen's transformation from a timid woman into a powerful being who embraces her destiny. These 30+ quotes from The Awakening just might inspire you to follow your dreams and unleash your own potential.

The best quotes from The Awakening on self-discovery and identity

"A certain light was beginning to dawn dimly within her—the light which, showing the way, forbids it."

"Whatever came, she had resolved never again to belong to another than herself."

"Even as a child she had lived her own small life within herself. At a very early period she had apprehended instinctively the dual life–that outward existence which conforms, the inward life which questions."

"For the first time, she recognized the symptoms of infatuation which she had felt incipiently as a child, as a girl in her early teens, and later as a young woman."

"He could see plainly that she was not herself. That is, he could not see that she was becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garment with which to appear before the world."

"She's got some sort of notion in her head concerning the eternal rights of women."

"There are some people who leave impressions not so lasting as the imprint of an oar upon the water."

"You have a chance and a choice to be what you are. To build on all that came before, reach for what comes next. To fail, well, greatness rises from first failures."

“Girl, take it from an old queen: be who you are and the hell with the rest.”

The best quotes from The Awakening on life's promises and realities

"It was not despair, but it seemed to her as if life were passing by, leaving its promises broken and unfulfilled."

"She had all her life long been accustomed to harbor thoughts and emotions which never voiced themselves."

"She was moved by a kind of commiseration... a pity for that colorless existence which never uplifted its possessor beyond the region of blind contentment, in which no moment of anguish ever visited her soul, in which she would never have the taste of life's delirium."

"Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one's life."

“You have to look to find. You have to ask to have the answers. You have to awaken to become.”

The best quotes from The Awakening on love and relationships

"No, I only think you cruel, as I said the other day. Maybe not intentionally cruel; but you seem to be forcing me into disclosures which can result in nothing; as if you would have me bare a wound for the pleasure of looking at it, without the intention or power of healing it."

"She was still under the spell of her infatuation. She had tried to forget him, realizing the inutility of remembering."

"'Why?' asked her companion. 'Why do you love him when you ought not to?'"

“Friendship’s the bread of life, isn’t it now?”

"I love you, only you; no one but you. It was you who awoke me last summer out of a life-long, stupid dream."

The best quotes from The Awakening on nature and escape

"But the beginning of things, of a world especially, is necessarily vague, chaotic, and exceedingly disturbing. How few of us ever emerge from such beginning! How many souls perish in its tumult!"

"She turned her face seaward to gather in an impression of space and solitude, which the vast expanse of water, meeting and melting with the moonlit sky, conveyed to her excited fancy."

"The voice of the sea is seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander in abysses of solitude."

"The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace."

"The morning was full of sunlight and hope."

"She reminded him of some beautiful, sleek animal waking up in the sun."

"Sometimes I feel this summer as if I were walking through the green meadow again, idly, aimlessly, unthinking and unguided."

"The flowers were like new acquaintances; she approached them in a familiar spirit, and made herself at home among them."

"It takes a bit of time, but why hurry through the day just to get to the next?"

The best quotes from The Awakening on human emotions

"There was a dull pang of regret because it was not the kiss of love which had inflamed her, because it was not love which had held this cup of life to her lips."

"There were days when she was very happy without knowing why." 

“Nerves aren’t shameful. Not acting because of them is.”

"She was happy to be alive and breathing, when her whole being seemed to be one with the sunlight, the color, the odors, the luxuriant warmth of some perfect Southern day."

The Awakening

Editors Select: June 2024

13 editors, 13 new listens—from fiction to theater to history, check out our most anticipated listens of the month.

30+ of the best quotes from "The Book Thief"

In Markus Zusak's haunting novel, an orphan girl discovers the power of courage, empathy, and words amid Nazi Germany’s horrors. Read 30+ quotes about humanity, grief, and love from "The Book Thief."

Your perfect beach listen, according to your zodiac sign

Astrologer and guest editor Valerie Tejeda recommends the romance audiobook destined to bring you joy this summer.

A reality TV show turns deadly in Ruth Ware’s latest psychological thriller

In “One Perfect Couple,” the body count rises with the twists and turns when 5 couples are trapped at an isolated island resort.

10 noteworthy books for June

A witty essay collection and thrilling historical fiction await you.

Great new reads for June include a lavish thriller set in the international art world, historical fiction in Renaissance Italy and a medical mystery memoir from a young mother.

‘I’ve Tried Being Nice: Essays,’ by Ann Leary

Leary had an epiphany while dealing with a neighbor whose off-leash dogs were wreaking havoc. As she delivered a stern warning — “Look, I’ve tried being nice …” — the inveterate people-pleaser suddenly understood one of the benefits of getting older: the power of indifference. In funny and unpretentious essays on topics that include selling a beloved house, interacting with fans of her famous husband, Dennis, becoming an empty nester and recovering from alcoholism, Leary shares stories from a lifetime of wanting to be liked. (Marysue Rucci, June 4)

‘Malas,’ by Marcela Fuentes

Set in a border town on the Texas side of the Rio Grande, Fuentes’s lively novel explores the intergenerational connection between two strong women. Lulu Muñoz is trying to keep her punk rock band a secret from her substance-abusing father while avoiding thoughts of her garish upcoming quinceañera celebration. When the enigmatic Pilar makes a surprise appearance at a funeral, she and Lulu form a friendship that leads to unexpected discoveries. (Viking, June 4)

‘Hell Gate Bridge: A Memoir of Motherhood, Madness, and Hope,’ by Barrie Miskin

Miskin’s searing memoir about her experience with a mysterious mental illness during and after her pregnancy provides a haunting window into the state of health care in the United States. Having weaned herself from antidepressants as a precaution before pregnancy, Miskin began an alarming descent into delusions and suicidal ideation which continued after her baby was born. A proper diagnosis of a rare and incurable disorder began her journey away from darkness, allowing her to fully experience being a wife, teacher and mother. (Woodhall Press, June 4)

‘Service,’ by Sarah Gilmartin

When Daniel, one of Dublin’s top chefs, faces accusations of sexual assault, Hannah’s mind returns to the summer she spent waitressing at his high-end restaurant — the excitement of the glamorous dining room, the pressures of the kitchen and the wild parties after hours, where something sinister happened that changed her life. Meanwhile, Daniel’s wife, Julie, is hiding from the paparazzi and trying to understand the allegations against the man she loves. In alternating chapters, Gilmartin gives voice to Daniel, Hannah and Julie, perceptively delving into issues of silence, complicity and the aftermath of violence. (Pushkin Press, June 4)

‘The Throne,’ by Franco Bernini, translated by Oonagh Stransky

The first in a planned trilogy, Bernini’s engrossing historical novel follows Machiavelli’s trajectory through the corridors of power in 16th-century Italy. Sent by the Florentine Republic to spy on the plotting Cesare Borgia, Machiavelli shrewdly accepts a proposal to chronicle Borgia’s life story. As the relationship between the biographer and his subject evolves, each man relies on the other to achieve his political ambitions, yet only one will succeed. (Europa, June 11)

‘The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby,’ by Ellery Lloyd

Lloyd’s engaging historical mystery moves swiftly between pre-World War II Parisian art studios, the elite academic corridors of early 1990s Cambridge University and present-day Dubai, where a controversial masterpiece by British heiress and surrealist artist Juliette Willoughby appears on display after it was presumed lost in the fire that claimed her life. Art history scholars had been suspicious about the truth behind the painting’s loss, and the continuing investigation — with possible ties to a murder — uncovers scandalous secrets that someone might go to great lengths to keep quiet. (Harper, June 11)

‘Moonbound,’ by Robin Sloan

The author of “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore” returns with a far-flung sci-fi adventure that begins 11,000 years in the future, when animals can talk and genetic manipulators called wizards rule. After 12-year-old Ariel fails to comply with a wizard’s directive to remove a sword from a stone, he is forced to flee the only place he has ever known in the company of a sentient ancient artifact whose purpose is to contain all the knowledge of human history. Ariel and his companion set out on a quest to save his home from the vindictive wizard, encountering danger and finding new friendships along the way. (MCD, June 11)

‘God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer,’ by Joseph Earl Thomas

Joseph Thomas — not the author but the novel’s similarly-named protagonist — is many things: an Iraq Army veteran; a single father; an emergency room technician at a North Philadelphia hospital; an Ivy-league student of medicine; and a Black man trying to find his place in a country that often judges him unfairly. Struggling to maintain balance between the incessant obligations of work, school and fatherhood, his everyday encounters are a continuous reminder of the difficulties he has faced while trying to build a life for himself. Joseph’s travails, told in a forceful stream of consciousness, expose the daily rhythms, obstacles and joys of one man’s life. (Grand Central, June 18)

‘Hombrecito,’ by Santiago Jose Sanchez

Sanchez’s powerful first novel follows a young boy from Colombia to the United States and back again as he struggles with abandonment issues, acclimating to a new homeland and grappling with his own queer sexual awakening. With a “father-shaped hole” in his heart, he pushes away from his single mother in a raucous attempt to define his own life. But accompanying her back to Colombia as an adult allows him to reconsider the childhood images he had of his parents — and perhaps find grace and acceptance. (Riverhead, June 25)

‘Husbands and Lovers,’ by Beatriz Williams

Single mother Mallory Dunne has just sent her 10-year-old son, Sam, off to summer camp when she gets an alarming call — her son has consumed a poisonous death cap mushroom. With Sam needing a new kidney that she can’t provide, Mallory’s only options are to contact Sam’s father, whom she hasn’t seen in more than a decade, or to locate her mother’s recently discovered birth family. In another timeline, Hannah Ainsworth, a traumatized World War II survivor married to a British diplomat in 1950s Egypt, finds comfort in the arms of the manager of one of the grandest hotels in Cairo, reawakening a part of her she thought was lost. The experiences of these women as mothers in two different times and places link them together in surprising ways. (Ballantine, June 25)

My ex and I had a nesting divorce. We all lived in the house during the week and alternated staying at an apartment on weekends.

• Mitzi Campbell is a 57-year-old mother of three
• She and her ex-husband tried nesting during their divorce for five years, from 2007 until 2012.
• She said nesting had its upsides but didn't lessen the blow for her kids when they split households.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mitzi Campbell . It has been edited for length and clarity.

My ex-husband and I started thinking about getting a divorce in 2007. It was totally amicable — we just knew that our relationship wasn't one that was going to last forever. At the time, we were living in a large house with our three children, the youngest of whom was 6.

There was a major economic crisis going on and we weren't in a position to sell the house and buy two separate properties. We were still in the middle of making the final decision if we were going to officially get a divorce. The term "nesting" — keeping the kids in the same family home while the parents move in and out — wasn't one we had ever heard of, but given finances and our indecision about splitting, it was how we decided to go about our separation.

We decided to try nesting

Since the house was large, we started by taking different bedrooms in the house and splitting our time with the kids. I would do the morning routine with the kids one day, and he would do the next. For a year, this worked.

But when we started meeting with a mediator and lawyer to finalize the divorce, we decided it would be best if we stayed in the house together during the week, but rented a separate, smaller place that each of us would take turns living in on the weekends. We both wanted more than just a bedroom to ourselves, and started to think about pursuing romantic relationships with other people. The "other" house was only 15 minutes away from the family home.

It was exciting — creating this new life for myself as an individual outside of my marriage. I loved having my own space. An unintended positive from this setup was that we both got space to process the divorce, and decide what we wanted our future lives to look like.

Related stories

During the week, when we were both staying in the large house in different bedrooms, we hardly saw each other, but when we did, we were very amicable with one another. Our top priority was co-parenting well for the sake of our kids.

One of us stayed at an apartment each weekend

At first, the kids were sad when one of us would leave for the weekend. They didn't like it, but eventually, it became the normal pattern for them. We were both happy that the kids' lives didn't massively change as we divorced . They got to stay in one place rather than travelling back and forth with a suitcase.

They were a little confused about our set-up, however. Most of their friends either had married parents who lived together, or divorced parents who lived separately.

Although this set-up was healthy for my ex-husband and me to process our divorce and engage in self-care, I often found it lonely and missed my kids and my house when I was away every other weekend.

We lived like this for around two years, but it wasn't a financially sustainable way of living — it was just too expensive to keep paying our mortgage and rent for an apartment we were only using on the weekends, and our finances took a hit.. During those two years, we also both started dating new people, so we decided we'd stop renting the extra house and stay at our partners' places every other weekend instead.

This continued for another two years, before we finally decided to sell the house in 2012. We sold it and moved into two smaller properties, only three miles away from each other.

Throughout our five years of nesting, our kids were happy. They got to stay in their large family home, didn't have to travel back and forth to see their parents , and often saw us together. It was a slow transition for them, and I don't regret doing it.

However, there were some downsides I hadn't expected.

While nesting worked for the most part, there were some challenges

The years we were frequently living under the same roof but not a couple, the kids held on to the hope their dad and I would get back together . At times, it might have been more confusing for them than helpful, especially when my ex-husband and I started dating other people.

I felt like in some ways, we delayed the inevitable grief they'd feel when we completely cut ties with each other. When we did stop nesting and sold the house, they found the lifestyle change hard. Although I still think it served as a good transitional period for the kids, not having their mom and dad living together all of the sudden was really hard for them, even though we felt we had eased them into it.

They also had to move out of this very large home they'd lived in since babies, into two smaller houses. It was something of a rude awakening for them. With our finances split in half , we had to watch our money more carefully.

Divorce is severing, or at least changing, a connection, and you can prolong or try to mitigate the effects of this for your children, but in the long run, you all have to come to terms with a new world in which the parents are no longer sharing a life. If families are going to nest, a long-term plan really needs to be put in place, keeping in mind how that eventual change will impact the kids.

Watch: How a 'hoarder's house' is deep cleaned

• Main content

Interconnected Paths: Insights into Buddhist Traditions

This essay about the interconnected paths within Buddhist traditions explores the diverse avenues towards enlightenment, from Theravada’s contemplative mindfulness to Mahayana’s universal compassion and Vajrayana’s esoteric wisdom. It highlights how each tradition offers unique insights while emphasizing the shared recognition of interconnectedness and the boundless potential for awakening inherent in all beings. Through a rich tapestry of practices and philosophies, the essay illuminates the timeless truths that resonate across the vast expanse of Buddhist wisdom.

How it works

In the vast expanse of Buddhist wisdom, there lies a realm where interconnected paths converge, revealing insights that illuminate the human journey with profound clarity. Within this kaleidoscope of traditions, from the ancient whispers of Theravada to the resounding chants of Vajrayana, each pathway unveils a unique facet of enlightenment while echoing the universal call to awakening.

Like a pilgrim traversing sacred terrain, one embarks on a journey through the annals of Buddhist thought, guided by the flickering light of wisdom passed down through generations.

In the quietude of Theravada’s forest monasteries, the essence of the Buddha’s teachings permeates the air, inviting contemplation on the impermanent nature of all phenomena and the path to liberation through mindfulness and insight.

Venturing further, the landscape shifts, and the Mahayana tradition unfolds its expansive canopy, embracing all sentient beings in its compassionate embrace. Here, the bodhisattva ideal beckons, urging practitioners to transcend self-interest and dedicate themselves to the alleviation of suffering for all. In the Zen gardens of Japan or the chanting halls of Pure Land devotees, the rhythm of practice reverberates, echoing the heartbeat of universal compassion.

Yet, as the journey unfolds, the terrain grows more intricate, and the Vajrayana path reveals itself as a labyrinth of esoteric wisdom and transformative practices. In the highlands of Tibet or the secluded retreats of Himalayan hermits, tantric rituals dance like flames, transmuting desire into the fuel for enlightenment and unveiling the luminous nature of mind.

Amidst this tapestry of traditions, each thread woven with care by countless hands across time, a unifying thread emerges – the recognition of interconnectedness. Whether in the meticulous analysis of phenomena, the boundless compassion of the bodhisattva, or the esoteric rituals of Vajrayana, practitioners awaken to the truth that all beings are inherently interconnected, bound by the universal rhythms of birth, death, and rebirth.

In the embrace of interconnected paths, the journey of awakening unfolds – a journey as unique as the individual yet as timeless as the teachings of the Buddha himself. Through the myriad traditions and practices, practitioners navigate the labyrinth of existence, guided by the flickering light of wisdom and the compassionate heart that beats within us all.

In this tapestry of wisdom, every thread, every path, contributes to the vibrant mosaic of human experience, offering glimpses of the ineffable beauty that lies at the heart of existence. And in the recognition of interconnectedness, amidst the ebb and flow of life’s currents, one discovers the ultimate truth – that in the vast expanse of the universe, all paths lead to the same timeless realization: the boundless potential for awakening that resides within us all.

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If Putin wins, expect the worst genocide since the Holocaust

Sexual violence, ethnic cleansing, and mass executions are all part of the Russian playbook. We must wake up to what its victory would mean

For the next seven days The Telegraph is running a series of exclusive essays from international commentators imagining the consequences if Russia were successful in its war. 

The first, by former Ukrainian MP Aliona Hlivco, considered the devastating impact for the Nato alliance . Then historian Dr Thomas Clausen assessed the fallout on European politics .

Today, Karolina Hird of the Institute of the Study of War in Washington DC considers the price for ordinary Ukrainians.

Over 800 days into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine , it is easy to see the war as merely lines and colour-coding on a map. While the lines and the military movements they represent matter, those abstractions obscure the human realities behind those lines.

To be clear from the start: Russia is actively, undeniably carrying out a genocide to destroy Ukrainian identity and independence. It does this by utilising ethnic cleansing campaigns, sexual violence , and the mass deportation of Ukrainian children as part of a “forced Russification” effort. I have been following this from Washington ever since the war began.

As such, if Russia wins, the worst genocide on European soil since the Holocaust is almost guaranteed.

The Kremlin has loudly proclaimed its intent to destroy Ukraine as a state and a nation. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2021 essay “On the historical unity of Russians and Ukrainians,” called Ukrainians a confused people, unjustly and forcibly torn away from Russia by nefarious external forces. The Kremlin-controlled Russian Orthodox Church frequently espouses the “trinity doctrine,” the idea that Ukrainians (and Belarusians) belong to the Russian “nation” and must be “reunified.” 

Russian politicians and pundits frequently call Ukraine an “artificial concept” and a “fake country” that does not deserve to exist. Russia has adopted a whole-of-government approach to build the narrative that Ukraine and Ukrainians have no right to exist as a sovereign people in a sovereign state.

Given these officially stated aims, are the genocidal actions Russia has taken to pursue them any wonder? The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide defines genocide as acts committed “with intent to destroy, in whole or in part” a specific group. 

The destruction need not be accomplished physically – actions taken to destroy a group’s identity without killing all members of the group also constitute genocide. The Russian genocidal project includes horrific acts of violence, to be sure, including summary executions, sexual assaults, arbitrary detentions, and torture. It includes the forcible deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia, which the Genocide Convention explicitly specifies also constitutes genocide. 

The deportation of Ukrainian children is a key component of Russia’s genocidal project – one that would only be extrapolated if Russia were to win the war and the rest of the country were seized by force. The Ukrainian government has verified the deportation of 19,546 Ukrainian children as of April 29, 2024. The true number is likely much, much higher considering that Ukrainian officials can only verify the deportation of children who have someone to vouch for their identity, leaving orphans and children without guardians unaccounted for. 

The Kremlin has facilitated and celebrated the deportation of children to Russia, claiming it offers children an opportunity to rest and rehabilitate after living in a war zone (which Russia created by invading Ukraine). These children are subject to Kremlin-approved re-education programmes along Kremlin-accepted social, linguistic, and cultural lines and sometimes forced into military training. 

Russian authorities have deported children to “rest” and “relaxation” camps throughout Russia, one of which in Russia’s Primorsky Krai is closer to Alaska than to Ukraine. High-ranking Kremlin officials, including Putin’s Commissioner on Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova , have personally adopted deported Ukrainian children. She now has an arrest warrant, issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Tens of thousands of Ukrainian young people are growing up under Russian military occupation, forcing them to abandon their language, culture, and history as the Kremlin seeks to destroy “in whole or in part” Ukrainian identity. This would become an entire generation were Moscow to subjugate Ukraine. Those already living under Russian occupation suffer daily efforts by Russian occupation authorities to strip them of their Ukrainian identity. 

Russian authorities co-opted the school system in occupied Ukraine under the euphemism of bringing it up to the “Russian standard”: teaching only the Kremlin-approved version of Russian history in which Ukraine has no independent identity and depriving children of access to Ukrainian-language education. Russian occupation authorities also use schools to militarise children, instilling in them Russian “military-patriotic ideals” and establishing a direct pipeline into Russian military–affiliated organisations to facilitate their future recruitment into the Russian military to fight against their compatriots. 

The thread of destruction and eradication runs through daily life in occupied Ukraine. Russian occupation officials have discussed forcibly deporting or summarily executing civilians who display characteristics deemed to be pro-Ukrainian or anti-Russian. Russian administrators use the threat of withholding access to basic goods and services to coerce Ukrainians to give up their Ukrainian passports for Russian ones, permanently changing the Ukrainian spelling of their names to the Russian version. Russian economic “enrichment” and infrastructure “development” projects cripple the ability of occupied areas to exercise economic self-sufficiency, generating devastating dependencies on the Russian federal government and driving a wedge between Kyiv and occupied territories.

Again, this constitutes genocidal behaviour, even when it is not exterminating people. 

That said, Russia’s efforts to destroy Ukraine include ethnically-cleansing occupied Ukraine by replacing Ukrainians with Russian citizens. Russian officials claim that Russia has “accepted” over 4.8 million Ukrainians, including 700,000 children, since the beginning of the war. 

There is no way to verify this number, but it emphasises the scale of movement to Russia from Ukraine since 2022, all of which occurred in the coercive context of Russian military occupation. The Kremlin is repopulating occupied Ukraine with Russian citizens to fundamentally alter its demographics and complicate future reintegration efforts. Based on examples of similar ethnic cleansing in the past, many will have inevitably died as a consequence. And that is before one even considers the blatant executions of innocent civilians by Russian soldiers, or the deliberate targeting of civilian population areas.

International legal procedure is set up to deal with atrocities after they happen. This is why Russian war crimes in Bucha, Izyum, Kherson City, and other liberated settlements have received widespread international attention and condemnation, and deservedly so. This is why the ICC has issued arrest warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova, as their crime of facilitating the deportation of children is visible and evident. 

The international humanitarian community is less effective, however, at addressing what happens daily behind the frontlines. In many cases, Russia’s genocidal project in Ukraine is banal, mundane, and hard to track and prove. But every aspect of Russia’s occupation of Ukraine is deliberate and flows from Putin’s initial justification for the invasion. It is meant to make real the Kremlin lie that Ukraine has no right to exist and that there is no such thing as a Ukrainian people.

Ukraine is fighting a war for the survival of the Ukrainian people. Russia’s genocidal project is the purpose of Russia’s military operations, and Ukraine’s supporters must not separate the two. Should Ukraine fall to Russia on the battlefield, the rest of its people will fall victim to the genocidal project Russia is conducting in the lands it already controls, which “only” constitutes about 20 per cent of the country’s legal territory. Imagine how many millions would be victims of this abhorrent behaviour if it reaches 30 per cent, 40 per cent, or even 100 per cent. 

Indeed, many military experts would argue that Nazi-style tactics would be the only way to quell a population so vehemently opposed to Russia’s control. We would see horrors unfold daily.

We must face this reality squarely and stop blithely talking about offering “territorial” concessions to “stop the fighting” without forcing ourselves to confront the horrors that such concessions will inflict on the people living in those lands. 

Putin’s invasion was never about seizing limited bits of land. It was always about destroying a people. Ukraine’s supporters must therefore recommit themselves to the project of saving this people and showing that they will resist and defeat aggression and genocide on this scale.

Karolina Hird is Russia Deputy Team Lead and Analyst at the Institute for the Study of War in Washington DC.

She has contributed to the Telegraph’s daily podcast ‘Ukraine: The Latest’ , your go-to source for all the latest analysis, live reaction and correspondents reporting on the ground. With over 85 million downloads, it is considered the most trusted daily source of war news on both sides of the Atlantic.

You can listen to one of her extended interviews on Russian war crimes here .

Other essays in the ‘What If Putin Wins?’ series:

• ‘Putin’s plot to destroy Nato is reaching its devastating climax’ by Aliona Hlivco
• ‘Europe’s fascist future awaits’ by Dr Thomas Clausen
• ‘Russia’s next conquests are already in its sights’ by Ivana Stradner
• With Ukraine’s resources, Putin would be invincible by Liliane Bivings
• Vladimir Putin,
• Russia-Ukraine war,
• War crimes,
• International Criminal Court,
• What if Putin wins?
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