Strength And Metaphors In Kate Chopin's The Awakening

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Maddie Jenkins American Literature - 3 September 20, 2017 Edna’s Awakening in the Sea In The Awakening, Kate Chopin’s protagonist Edna Pontellier breaks the boundaries of female behavioral norms by using the sea as a metaphor to convey Edna’s strength and empowerment. Edna’s recklessness shows her passion to escape from the restrictive reality of her time. Edna first breaks boundaries when she steps into the water in chapter X, in a “daring and reckless way, overestimating her strength”(Chopin 27). Edna swims out to sea to escape the entrapment of a male dominated society. She does not know how to swim or survive in this male dominated society. Swimming illustrates the alienation Edna feels. She attempts to overcome her fears …show more content…

Edna Pontellier awakens in the sea, the very place in which she drowns herself, demonstrating her efforts to …show more content…

In chapter VI, Edna begins to respond to this voice inside of her, “The voice of the sea is seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander in abysses of solitude ... to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation” (14). The very sight and sound of the sea entices her. The author depicts the sea as an invigorating object that gives Edna life. The sea embodies Edna and gives her the confidence to express her feelings. Even the sight of the sea, empowers Edna. This is the first time where Chopin displays Edna’s amelioration towards society. In previous chapters Edna hesitates from communicating her opinions, “When it came her turn to read it, she did so with profound astonishment...It was openly criticised... Mrs. Pontellier gave over being astonished, and concluded that wonders would never cease.” (11). Women were expected to conform to societal norms and remain subservient but Edna ceased to live her life this way. Chapter VI opens her eyes to the issues of society that prevented women from freely living, "Mrs. Pontellier was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an individual to the world and within around her.”(14). Through listening, smelling and hearing the sea, Edna grasps her craving for a life where she is considered a human being rather than

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