Motifs In The Awakening

When the novel The Awakening was published there was much controversy of the issues addressed throughout the novel. Chopin uses Edna as the main character to break the stereotype of women being bound to their husbands in the 1900’s. However, Edna both progresses and regresses throughout the course of her life. There are many motifs throughout this novel, the symbol of birds is one of many and is used to foreshadow the resolution. This adds a layer of the novel that would be nonexistent if the motifs were absent. Edna and her husband Leonce, begin to have problems at the beginning of the novel. Their issues are created with the lack of communication that is used in their household. Edna withholds information from Leonce when she feels that her voice isn’t being heard. She has yet to realise that she is not happy in her marriage. Later in the plot Leonce starts to question how strong their relationship is. Instead of talking to Edna, he talks to the doctor to ask if there is something wrong with her. The doctor is very vague in his response and tells Leonce that he should give her space for the time being. This furthers their communication issues by creating

All of the attention that she was getting now does not have a source. She then finds Arobin and uses him as a replacement for Robert. She goes physically farther with the relationship with Arobin than with Robert. Soon after they meet, they share a kiss. Edna is intrigued and confused about this event in addition to not knowing what it means. However, they still take the relationship to a further extent. Arobin is used as a replacement for Robert when he is gone. Soon after, Robert returns and Edna immediately turns her attention back towards him, leaving Arobin without a response. These events show the dependence Edna has on men. Even though she wants to get out of her marriage, she proves that she still needs a man to take care of