The Importance Of Edna's Passage In The Awakening

This passage is essential in The Awakening, because Edna had another awakening experience that gave her control over her entire body, both physically and mentally, while living in a fixed socioeconomic society as a woman. In this particular passage, the narrator expressed Edna’s thoughts as she finally conquered her fear of swimming. Edna believed the sea was powerful in that it could give people control over their senses, yet it could also be dangerous and should be approached with caution. This could metaphorically mean that finding Edna’s true self may result in sacrifices and consequences. The narrator stated that the sea is “inviting the soul to wander… (571)” The sea represents Edna’s potential awakening; however, she has to overcome conformant of societal standards to fully experience her awakening. Edna felt exultation while out in the water by herself. The definition of exultation means extreme happiness or joy, but in this passage exultation meant to elevate in power or character. Edna felt as if she had become a stronger, new

The narrator explained how Edna “overestimated her strength” (583). Most women in the period that Kate Chopin wrote in probably overestimate their strength or capabilities. Women were seen as a possessed jewel of men. Edna had been surrounded by Creoles, who were of the upper class; however, Edna was not a Creole. She was an outsider, forced to fit in with the norms of her new life (568). Even as a child Edna had been shy. With marrying Léonce and moving into a new community of people, the older Edna became the more she lost the connection with her soul and inner self. She learned to assimilate herself with Creoles and outwardly conform to their standards though she did not conform inwardly. Now, having gone out into the water and overcome her fear, Edna felt as if she released herself from the bondage of how women were supposed to act: she saw her full