Art In Kate Chopin's The Awakening

Art: A Concise Way to Allude to Plot and Theme

The year is 1899. Nine years previous, the United States has entered the Progressive Era and the National American Woman Suffrage Association is formed. The woman, however, have a long way to go as suffrage will not be granted for another long twenty-one years. The feminist movement picks up momentum but is still overshadowed by prevailing social norms. In Kate Chopin’s novel, The Awakening, she explores unorthodox ideas of feminism through themes such as identity, freedom, art, culture, and femininity which are portrayed through the female protagonist, Edna Pontellier. The cover illustration by Create Space is insightful to the plot of the story. This illustration includes an image of a shirtless

Impressionistic art was typical of the 19th century and is characterized by thin but visible brush strokes to accurately portray light in its dynamic qualities. Edna enjoys painting as a hobby and would have been likely to use impressionism in her paintings due to its popularity during her time period. Edna learns more about being a true artist from her friend Mademoiselle Reisz. Mademoiselle Reisz tells Edna, “To be an artist includes much; one must possess many gifts—absolute gifts—which have not been acquired by one's own effort. And, moreover, to succeed, the artist must possess the courageous soul” (53). They agree that to be a true artist one must have devotion and courage. Edna’s art transforms from merely a hobby to something that funds her independence as she sells her paintings and buys her own house. Edna’s reflection of her two friends’ different motives for playing music is pivotal in her awakening. Edna admires the way that Mademoiselle Reisz plays with passion just for herself. Edna feels nothing when Adele plays because she is only playing for the purpose of providing pleasant music for her home. Edna wants to be less like Adele and more like Mademoiselle Reisz so she starts to make changes in her devotion to her art. The art on the cover is simple and elegant. The reflections of the water on the woman

The shirtless woman, the way she is facing, the water reflections, and the relevance of the artist’s ability all proved to provide content when looked at critically. Alluding to main concepts without compromising important details is imperative for a quality illustration. Many covers of the awakening have so many details included in them that one can determine the basis of the plot. When too many details are included it can also be aesthetically unpleasant and may even seem like the illustrator is placing all these symbols on the cover in a perfunctory way. The cover alludes at many ideas but is not overwhelming making it an excellent way to