The visit to Ms. Reisz that Edna had also used imagery of birds. When Ms. Reisz examined Edna's wing she does literally examine it she is just being figurative when she says that she is checking Edna's shoulder blades for strength. While she does physically examine Edna she is deliberately being symbolic. Ms. Reisz wants Edna to realize her quest for freedom will not be easy. She will need strong wings to out-fly the arrows of conformity. She begins the novel with the image of a caged bird and throughout the story other birds and avian images appear representing freedom, failure, and choices that Edna, the story's main character, must make. Throughout The Awakening Chopin uses flight and descriptions of birds to express the psychological state of mind of her main character, Edna Pontellier. .
Another symbol in The Awakening is art. Art becomes a symbol of both freedom and failure. It is through the process of trying to become an artist that Edna reaches the highest point of her awakening. Edna sees art as a way of self-expression and of self-assertion. Mlle. Reisz sees becoming an artist as a test of individuality. Edna fails because her wings are too weak. In addition to this, musical art is an important symbol in text, both Adele and Mlle. Reisz play the piano. Each woman functions to underscore a different aspect of the narrative. Adele is considered a musician by Leonce, but she does not play for art, instead she does so to keep her husband and children cheerful and to set time for parties. Mlle. Reisz, on the other hand, is disliked by all, but is granted status as a musician by only Robert and Edna. The issue of the piano playing echoes the issue of placement in society. If you follow the rules and norms whatever you accomplish is considered great, if you disobey those rules you are ignored and mocked. Thus, the piano playing becomes a symbol of societal rules and regulations. .
Another symbolism in this story is the clothing.
