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The Awakening by Kate Chopin


She felt moved to read the book in secret and in solitude and concluded that the wonders would never cease."(P9) It is clear that even the slightest exposure to literature was stimulating to her mind and allowed her to be set free from the clutches of ignorance and from being closed minded.
             In addition to reading books, Edna also began to show more interested in artistic ways of expressing one's self as a means to escape the mundane existence she led. Through her actively seeking to develop her skills as a painter, Edna breaks free from the role she is expected to play; the "mother-woman" and the housekeeper. She is able to display her newly discovered sense of independence by actively pursuing a refining of her skills. In addition to this, she finds herself touched by pieces that Madame Reisz plays especially for her. Through listening to the compositions Reisz played, Edna was transported into her ideal world: free of social restraint's and worries. Through Madame Reisz she is able to realize what it truly means to be artistic. Edna is presented with two artists in the novel; both Madame's Reisz and Ratignoille play piano. .
             The two characters are the antithesis of each other. On one hand we have a young, beautiful and popular Madame Ratignoille and on the other we have Madame Reisz an old, disagreeable, unpopular lady who is not fazed by trivial social matters. We see the clear difference between the two with the effect both have on Edna. When Ratignoille plays Edna seems unfazed, when Reisz plays Edna is essentially transported to other worlds. Sent into quivering fits, touched on an emotional state by simply listening to her play; she evokes passion within Edna. Reisz warns Edna on several occasions that "the artist must possess a courageous soul" (P63) encouraging her to toughen up which foreshadows how she might possibly be disliked just as Madame Reisz for pursuing her own individual happiness instead of abiding by society's rules.


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