... many who read her novel. The Awakening would mark the end of Chopin's career: "The reading public was shocked by such a sympathetic view towards the actions and emotions of the sexually aware and independent female protagonist- (Burris 2). The Awakening is as much a portrait of society's ... life is her existence at Madame Lebrun's summer home in Grand Isle. This setting is filled with those tangible items that we typically associate with family and traditional values. On the literary website "Symbols in The Awakening,"" the setting is described as portraying a "women's sphere-: "Porches...

• Word Count: 2280
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... behind and accepting her fate. Her final swim represents the transcendence of the visionary quest. Readers watch her suicide with ironic detachment because her final swim leaves us with a resonant vast new potential that Edna has tragically discovered that there is no room for her or her ideals in the world. She understands that she can not dictate her life in adherence to ... she must have an enormous amount of strength to succeed in attaining her goal. Inevitably, this trapped creature meets her unfortunate death because she was not able to recognize the symbols surrounding her and he...

• Word Count: 2022
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... the open window brought her a new sense of freedom and provided a clear view into her bright future, which is now unobstructed by the demands of another person. In other words, the open window is providing her with life itself. When Ms. Mallard looks away from the window, she quickly ... – "a comfortable, roomy armchair. Into this she sank" (Chopin 107). The youth of Mrs. Mallard and the roomy armchair are both symbols of relief from living a life of self-sacrifice. In addition to symbolism, Chopin also beautifully writes using imagery. Imagery is a literary tool in which words ... bri...

• Word Count: 1729
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School