Edna Pontellier's Personal Identity In The Awakening

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Mya Galinsky Period 5 1/14/17 The definition of the word awakening is :“a recognition, realization, or coming into awareness of something.”The term self realization means “fulfillment of one’s own potential.” In the novel The Awakening by Kate Chopin, the protagonist Edna Pontellier and her family vacation at the Grand Isle, a resort on an island near New Orleans. While on this trip Mrs. Pontellier experiences an awakening of self realization emotionally, creatively, sexually and intellectually. As the summer advances, Mrs.Pontellier becomes independent as she emerges from her old ways. This novel explores the discovery of one’s personal identity. Throughout Enda’s journey, the sea is her muse and where she finds peace. The sea represents …show more content…

Pontellier is getting some fresh air while she rests on the hammock. It is past 1 AM, however she is not ready to go inside. Mr. Pontellier is unhappy with Edna’s actions and orders her to come inside. Mrs.Pontellier tries to explain to her husband she is not going to follow his directions. Leonce does not agree and attempts again to get her inside. ““Leonce, go to bed” she said, I mean to stay out here. I don’t wish to go in, and I don’t intend to. Don’t speak to me like that again; I shall not answer you.””In stage three of Edna's awakening she is learning to respect herself. The sense of Edna’s higher self begins to grow …show more content…

Although there is no pre-ordained point or purpose to life, in stage five you now understand that the point and purpose of life can be anything that you choose.” I have no doubt in believing Enda completed stage four of awakening. Yet I have trouble believing she reaches stage five. To my understanding Edna’s awakening ends at stage four where she has no purpose to her life. As Edna’s journey to self discovery gives her the ability to express herself, people around her are no longer able to understand her. When Edna feels stuck again, she goes back to the place that is her is her muse and where she finds peace. The sea. “The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace.”(pg.120) I believe when Edna ends her life in the sea, it is the beginning of her re-birth. In conclusion Edna Pontellier discovers her independence through an awakening of self realization. An emotional, creative, sexual and intellectual journey. At the beginning of the novel Edna is in a semi-conscious state, as the summer progresses she explores her freedom. From her first swim to her last swim, the sea has been a reminder of the depth of the universe and of her own place as a human within that depth. The sea is a place where Edna

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