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The Awakening Title Analysis

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The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Title explanation: The Awakening is a phrase which symbolically describes what happens to the main character, Edna Pontellier, as she becomes an aware and conscious human being in the course of this book.
Setting: Grand Isle and New Orleans During the Late 19th Century
Genre: Literary Fiction, Tragedy. The story, for Edna, does not have a happy ending, for she either drowns from exhaustion or she dies intentionally.For the "literary fiction" component, the entire novel focuses on Edna’s psychological journey rather than relating exciting plot details. Historical Context:
Originally titled The Solitary Soul
Began writing the novel in 1897, finished in January 1898
It was first published in April 1899
Considered …show more content…

Initially, Edna experiences her independence as no more than an emotion. When she swims for the first time, she discovers her own strength, and through her pursuit of her painting she is reminded of the pleasure of individual creation. when she makes the decision to abandon her former lifestyle, Edna realizes that independent ideas cannot always translate into a simultaneously self-sufficient and socially acceptable existence.Once Robert refuses to trespass the boundaries of societal convention, Edna acknowledges the profundity of her solitude.
Symbols:
The Sea - On one hand the sea is a symbol of empowerment in The Awakening. In the sea, Edna learns to swim, and learns that she does in fact have control over her own body. However, on the other hand, it symbolizes her tragedy, for she drowns in the sea.
Cigars - a symbol of masculinity and traditional manhood. Edna's husband has a penchant for stogies, smoking them frequently and even proving his independence by staying behind and smoking when Edna wants him to come in and go to bed. Also, Robert, in the beginning of the novel, smokes cigarettes because they're cheaper. But after he makes his fortune in Mexico, he's suddenly puffing

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Whereas as the beginning of the novel the ocean represented cleansing and excitement, Edna now views the sea as her only escape from her limited form in society. Thus, through an existential lens, the symbolic meaning of the sea changes throughout the story as Edna realizes her inability to overcome contemporary definitions of feminism and is forced to seek closure to her despair by turning to the sea one last

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The most rewarding attributes of this experience for Edna would be the feeling of satisfaction of conquering something in a world where woman are seen as nothing; much like a child’s excitement at their newly gained knowledge. In Chopin’s own word she describes “A feeling of exultation overtook her as if some power of significant import had been given her to control the working of her body and her soul” (page27). Although she is not ashamed of who she is becoming there is still a need to hide which is greatly caused by her surroundings. This can be seen when Edna takes her turn reading a shared book that has been passed around the cottages. Reading this book left her wonderstruck

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The Awakening by Kate Chopin ends with the protagonist reliving old memories and eventually entering the ocean to drown herself. However, this ending does not feel like an ending for this character, instead it feels like a new beginning of awakening. This effect happens through the use of indicative diction, symbolic imagery, and alluring sound. This ending is seen as a new beginning or awakening for the protagonist through indicative diction. The protagonist claims that her children were like “antagonists,” plotting against her and put her in “soul’s slavery.”

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The Awakening In “The Awakening” Edna has mixed feelings for people. Including her husband. After her husband goes away she decides he wants to leave him. “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin was challenged for sexual and suicidal content, as well as its explicit cover; however, many argue against its banning because of the positive themes addressed in the novel.

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The imagery Edna is moved with includes the sounds of the rippling water, the sails flapping in the breeze, the sight of the moon, and the “current of desire” that ran through her body, creating a drive for inspiration (97). As Edna had been acquainted deeply with the sea, a sort of rebirth occurred, similar in idea to a baptism. Her awakening, as it seems, is only the start of Edna’s journey, and the water strengthens Edna both mentally and emotionally. While in the city, Edna frequently takes “refreshing baths” and “washes up in basins” after naps to “start anew” (122, 161). Edna also meets with friends, such as Mademoiselle Reisz, from the beach while back in New Orleans.

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At first, Edna is scared of the water and she is unable to swim. She needs help and assistance from many people to accomplish her goal of swimming in the ocean. Initially, she is scared of the water, which is similar to how she is scared to break free from her role as a wife and a mother. Robert, specifically, is the one to teach her how to swim and, subsequently, helps her take the first step in finding her new freedom. Edna gets empowered by her new romantic interest and the possibility of distancing herself from her husband.

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In Kate Chopin’ s novel, The Awakening, there are three identities inside of the female leading role, Edna Pontellier, being a wife, mother and own self. Edna was born in 19th century at the Vitoria period, a patriarchy society, women have low freedom to achieve personal goal. She married with Léonce Pontellier, a wealthy man with Creole descent. After having a child, her life is still unchangeable and as bored as before. Until she encountered Robert Leburn, Mademoiselle Reisz, and Alcée Arobin, her value of self-cognition has changed.

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We can tell that they are expensive since Robert choses to smoke cigarettes because of the price and when Mr. Pontellier presented him with a cigar, he saved it and chose to smoke a cigarette. The dominant male seems to smoke cigars as Mr. Pontellier repeatedly sits back and smokes a cigar in the book. Woman were not allowed to smoke cigars which also shows how the cigar was a representation of power and dominance. Both Robert and LEonce are shown smoking cigars and in the end both care more about reputation than their love for Edna.

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The title, The Awakening, signifies the self-realization of Edna Pontellier and her own personal awakening. Edna’s character undergoes a dramatic lifestyle and spiritual change. She begins the novel as the typical old fashioned housewife that is expected to look and act a certain way. Edna was a respectable housewife who yearns for a social, spiritual, and sexual awakening

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As Edna becomes more comfortable in the water, she also becomes more in touch with her own emotions. One particular night, Edna is able to swim farther into the ocean than she ever had before - the same night when she realizes her own distaste with her marriage and her role in society. Chopin writes that while Edna was in the water, “a feeling of exultation overtook her, as if some power of significant import had been given her to control the working of her body and her soul (Chopin 27)”. This

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The Awakening is a novel written by Kate Chopin that follows a woman named Edna Pontellier on her journey to self-awareness. Edna lived a comfortable lifestyle with her husband and two children in Louisiana during the 19th century. Despite obtaining all aspects to a perfect life, Edna became dissatisfied after meeting Robert Lebrun in Grand Isle. Robert sparked a desire for unlawful lust as well as a yearning for independence in a society full of conformed standards. Edna was unable to handle the pressures associated with achieving personal freedom which ultimately led to her death.

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Edna Pontillier in Kate Chopin’s novella The Awakening seeks independence and freedom via an unconventional lifestyle that creates her internal conflict. The conflict is sparked by the Apollonian and Dionysian ways of life that surround Edna. The two contrasting forces influence her decisions and the way she interacts with others. Edna’s Dionysian and Apollonian influences effect the way that she treats her children, interacts with her husband, and relates to other women in her town.

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