... her own identity and develops inner strength and courage to break through societal conventions in order to acknowledge and act upon her own passions and desires. Edna comes to realize that nothing, not her children nor her husband, is worth giving up her own self. Eventually, Edna conquers convention by committing suicide as a sign of integrity and independence. The novel begins with Edna, her husband Leonce, and her children ... on a summer vacation at the resort of Grand Isle. When they arrive at Grand Isle, Edna is in a sort of semi-conscious state. She is unaware of her own feelings ...

• Word Count: 2850
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

... good mother and still live her life the way she wants, she makes the only choice that will free her children and her husband. Also, Edna learns that Robert will not always be there, and she will eventually be alone, so by choosing death she frees herself of continuing a miserable existence. While lastly Edna's suicide was an act of liberation and courage, as she drowns Robert, her hopes, and dreams, ... in an attempt to free her from the lies her life consisted of. ... good mother and still live her life the way she wants, so makes the only choice that will free her children and her h...

• Word Count: 1008
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... composed of pure selfishness. She leaves no consideration for her husband or children. She fails miserably in performing the duties of the mother. However, this does not necessarily mean that Edna is feeble or cowardly. It shows her inherent strength. In her conversation with Madame Ratignolle, Edna shows that she cares for both her children and husband. Only her immense courage allows her to break away from these beloved people. On ... the other hand, Edna's actions constantly seem rash and whimsical. Perhaps these actions can show ... ...

• Word Count: 455
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... a whole new world in which she had the courage and the independence to venture outside her structured world, much to the chagrin of her husband. As she became more and more enthralled in finding her identity, she neglects her duties of a mother and a wife. Edna expresses her own sensuality in her painting. For Edna, painting represents a fulfillment of her own desires. The images and emotions she feels flow naturally from heart to hand ... one summer before. As she enters the sea it caresses her ankles and she swims out farther to realize her own satisfaction. Edna freely surrenders her...

• Word Count: 2488
• Approx Pages: 10

... at the time, women merely went to such gambling place. And she became more independent. And she was enjoying her independence and freedom. Moreover, she moved to the new house called the pigeon house and sent her children to her mother in law. While she was enjoying her freedom and independence, she knew she was alone. In chapter XXXV, Edna reaches her full "awakening" by hopelessness for several nights waiting for Robert ... , by committing suicide, she believes she can be free from the world which imprisoned her. Edna's seeking for her identity, her independence, and her freedom caused...

• Word Count: 1070
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... desires, but she acts upon them. This shows her strength, courage and ability to be one with the human society. Through her actions she portrays the "outsider" in society with her growing independence, acts of rebellion and need to satisfy herself rather than others. Edna begins to see things differently and completely disregards the ideas and customs of how a woman, mother, and wife should be portrayed, thinking nothing of such ... lost in a world of fantasy rather than reality. Edna's search for independence soon becomes a finding of selfishness. She does not love her children and thi...

• Word Count: 745
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... of marriage to Leonce, Edna felt an ever-growing void in her life. She gave up all of her responsibilities such as taking care of her children when they were sick and she never spent time playing with them. This shows a contrast between her inner self which was "awakening- and her outer self as a mother and a wife. At first, her character is portrayed as accepting of the "outer role- in which ... these being either to live her whole life in misery and hide her spirit and soul, or to sacrifice herself, that is her outer being and keep her dignity and essence. Edna chose the latter as she...

• Word Count: 833
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... of marriage to Leonce, Edna felt an ever-growing void in her life. She gave up all of her responsibilities such as taking care of her children when they were sick and she never spent time playing with them. This shows a contrast between her inner self which was "awakening- and her outer self as a mother and a wife. At first, her character is portrayed as accepting of the "outer role- in which ... these being either to live her whole life in misery and hide her spirit and soul, or to sacrifice herself, that is her outer being and keep her dignity and essence. Edna chose the latter as she...

• Word Count: 838
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... There, conversations with Adele prompted Edna to realize the oppression caused onto her by her husband. Robert Lebrun's flirtations caused her to desire much more freedom from her husband, and Edna swam for the first time in the sea, showing her personal strength and courage to begin a new chapter in her life, one of self-discovery and fulfillment. When reading The Awakening, I found no true climax, but ... the time, Edna still feels trapped within her life because Leonce does not understand her in the slightest, or her need for independence. Robert Lebrun is what people now refer to as ...

• Word Count: 1694
• Approx Pages: 7