Figurative Language In The Awakening

Morbid, vulgar, and disagreeable are just a few descriptors used by critics to describe Kate Chopin’s The Awakening. Chopin is amongst the first feminist writers of the twentieth century writing two novels and about a hundred short stories, most of which the protagonist is a woman. Although Chopin wrote other short stories that were considered controversial none of them received as much criticism as The Awakening. Set in the late nineteenth century the story follows Edna Portellier who has been awakened to her own desires and even though she has a husband and children she decides to pursue those yearnings. This in turn causes her to lose her innocence and morality. Edna is the epitome of a Fallen Woman. By looking closely at the characterizations, figurative language, and symbolism within the story it is easy to see that she is fallen because of the choices she makes.
Chopin’s characterization of Edna as a fallen women slowly progresses during the course of the story. At the beginning Edna is described as a compliant house wife. In her youth she had been a romantic but upon marring Leonce she believed her romantic days were over. She willingly submitted to life with her husband instead of embracing and celebrating their matrimony. Chopin shows that the love and affection Leonce has for Edna outweigh that of hers.

The amount of love and support she received from her friends and family was a bit unrealistic. Even Leone supported her until her death even though she left and cheated on him. While reading this story it could be argued that Leone was just as much a feminist as his wife by allowing her the freedom she desired. If Edna had reached out to him in the end he more than likely would have provided her with a safety net. Leone loved and supported Edna to the end despite the disrespectful treatment he received from her and her moving into her own home that had no room for him or their