The Transformation of Edna Pontellier in The Awakening Essay

â€Å"She wanted something to happen- something, anything: she did not know what† (Chopin). In Kate Chopin’s novel, The Awakening, the reader is introduced to Edna Pontellier, a passionate, rebellious woman. Throughout the novel, it becomes apparent how unsettled Edna feels about her life. The reader can identify this by her thoughts, desires, and actions, which are highly inappropriate for an affluent woman of the time. In the novel, Edna has an awakening and finds the courage to make the changes she sees necessary. Kate Chopin is able to make quality connections in order to symbolize her innermost desires. Chopin does this by providing references to the sea, and the birds, and then using them to foreshadow Edna’s end of life decision.†¦show more content†¦In The Awakening, Edna finds herself yearning for this type of freedom and independence. She desperately wants to be relinquished from her stagnant life of wife and motherhood. Kate Chopin chooses to represent Edna’s desires through these symbolic birds. These solid references are scattered throughout the novel. They are first seen in chapter one, when Mr. Pontellier enters Madame Lebrun’s: â€Å"A green and yellow parrot, which hung in a cage outside the door† (Chopin) and, â€Å"†¦the mockingbird that hung on the other side of the door, whistling his fluty notes out upon the breeze with maddening persistence† (Chopin). These are, arguably, the two most significant pieces of symbolism in relationship to birds. This is because the parrot and mockingbird are in cages, representing the idea that Edna feels trapped by her current life. Also, the birds are squawking at Mr. Pontellier, representing the voice Edna is unable to express for herself early on in the novel (Shmoop Editorial Team). The next reference to birds appears when Mademoiselle Reisz says to Edna: â€Å"The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings† (Chopin). This is understood to mean that if Edna truly needs her freedom and independence to be happy, then she must be courageous enough to go against the norms of society (Shmoop Editorial Team).Show MoreRelatedLindsey Allison. Mrs. Schroder. Ap Literature And Composition.1217 Words   |  5 PagesComposition 3 January 2016 Awakening Essay: 1987 Awakening, takes place in 1899, a period in history where traditional gender roles were especially prevalent. Traditionally, women were destined to be housewives. The life of a woman was centered around caring for her children and husband. The success of a woman was not determined by her occupation nor accomplishments, but instead was determined by the livelihood of her family. 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