Chopin- The Awakening

This week's text is The Awakening by Kate Chopin. The novel is the story of Edna, a woman who is unhappily married to the busy Leonce, and her quest for happiness. In her husband's absence she finds herself developing feelings for two other men--Alcee and Robert. The former eventually gets dismissed when Edna realizes the extent of her feelings for Robert. She dreams of venturing off to a distant island with him so that they may be alone together. As her affection for Robert grows, that which she has for Leonce diminishes, as does her obedience to his orders. She begins to loosen the chains that have bound her by demonstrating acts of independence.

One thing Edna does to show her rebellion is to stop attending social gatherings on Tuesdays. This shows her strong desire to be her own person rather than to conform to the person that society wants her to be. She also remains outside on the hammock one night, refusing to go inside when Leonce tells her to. This marks her change from the submissive role she has assumed until this point in the relationship to one in which she has control over herself. Her demonstrations of independence reach a climax when she moves out of the house with all of the things her husband has bought and into one of her own.

The sea symbolizes both freedom and rebirth. It serves as a means by which Edna may escape the life she has grown tired of. Her immersion in the water stands as a sort of baptism--the ocean is boundless and, by surrendering herself to it and becomining one with it, Edna too is free.