The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, is a novel which introduced new and unacceptable ideas to the readers of its time. The novel describes a woman's struggle to defy the rules of her society and follow her heart. The novel has many significant characters, as well as objects- one being the sea.
The sea is mentioned rather frequently throughout the novel. The sea seems to represent Edna Pontellier's sexuality. For example, the words used to describe the sea are not ones which are commonly used to describe a sea, rather, the author describes the sea as, "The voice of the sea is seductive the voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace." (Pg. 25).
Edna Pontellier is also the type of woman who seems to have regretted being a mother at times, and wishes to seek freedom from the duties of motherhood. "She was fond of her children in an uneven, impulsive way. She would sometimes gather them passionately to her heart; she would sometimes forget them . Their absence was a sort of relief .It seemed to free her of a responsibility which she blindly assumed- (Pg. 33) By accepting motherhood and her "wifely" duties as every other woman in the Creole society, Edna would not have been able to express her desires or sexuality. She would be free to discuss them, but not act upon them- that being the unspoken rule of the Creole society.
When the author describes the sea, it seems as though Edna gets a sense of freedom- she is relaxed and calm. Since sexuality was not an issue which was popular among women during that particular time period, a woman would keep her desires unfulfilled. For Edna Pontellier, she was the type of character which felt that she did not have to follow the rules of society, but follow her heart. This defiance was noticeable to other characters in the book. For instance, Mademoiselle Reisz says, "You are the only one worth playing for.
