... that she had lost herself and drowned her own desires to fulfill his wishes. Yielding to Leonce's desires has become a way of life. Before her awakening, Edna would have done whatever Leonce asked "unthinkingly, as we walk, move, sit, [and] stand."" But with her newfound wisdom and courage, ... which we assume like a garment with which to appear to the world." The contrast between Edna and Adele grows as Edna progresses in her awakening and drifts farther and farther from the ideal "mother-woman- which is embodied by Adele. Edna becomes increasingly preoccupied with the idea of abandonin...

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

... in cities of the Midwest and western states. It was not until the 1890's that women in the southern states joined the bandwagon. The Awakening by Kate Chopin, set in the coastal region of Louisiana, was written and published during this time. Industrialization, urbanization and changing social norms in ... possessions that were cared for and displayed. They were expected to preside over their husband's household and be subordinate to his every wish. In The Awakening, this was avidly portrayed in the personage of Adele Ratignolle. She was described as "the sensuous Madonna", the "embodimen...

• Word Count: 3206
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... , but he had his brokerage business to think about and brokers deal in stocks, not hearts. (Deyo 112) As Edna progresses further into her "awakening,"" Leonce sees it instead as mental illness. Leonce is advised by the doctor to let Edna do what she wants. Once Edna moves out into her ... leaving her daughter alone in life and it makes one think if she ever loved her daughter at all. Mademoiselle Reisz is a friend to Edna in The Awakening. They do not really like each other, but they have a deep understanding of each other's passions and desires. "Mademoiselle Reisz is a pianist of marvel...

• Word Count: 3600
• Approx Pages: 14
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace."" This quote can be considered Edna's awakening. It occurs by the ocean, which is personified as having a seductive voice and an enveloping embrace. Water often has a symbolic meaning in literature. Edna undergoes ... an enhanced perspective that will leave her changed forever. However, since the ocean is also described in such sensuous terms, we can expect that Edna's awakening will not be purely intellectual, but also sexual. The ocean is seducing her into new knowledge that she will...

• Word Count: 3098
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School

... characters with deep symbolism to tell the story of a troubled woman and what drives her to suicide. Because of its complexity, it is difficult to classify The Awakening into a literary category. On the surface, it could be considered a good example of Realism. Edna Pontellier, a married woman, finds herself infatuated with another man ... have led them to a false self. The beauty and wonder of nature is an inspiration to return to the innocence of the true self. In The Awakening, Chopin introduces the beautiful Grand Isle, an island getaway in the Gulf of Mexico. It is a tropical paradi...

• Word Count: 4173
• Approx Pages: 17
• Grade Level: High School

... a way to gain her own independence. Her struggle to set the woman in the wallpaper free symbolized her fight for independence. Kate Chopin's The Awakening (1899) carried ou the same theme of struggling women in a dominant/submissive relationship. However, Kate Chopin was different from Gilman because sxhe never joined ... situation and was the first writer in her country "to accept passion as a legitimate subject for serious, outspoken fiction" (Per Seyerted 198). The Awakening tells the story of a middle class woman, Edna Pontelliar who lives in New Orleans. She is married to a man she n...

• Word Count: 2531
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School