The voice of the sea is seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation. The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace (25).

In the novel, the ocean symbolizes Edna's "awakening" to a life filled with freedom and independence.

On a hot summer evening Robert and Edna go bathing. Although Edna does not wish to go and initially declines his offer, something inside is compelling her to go down to the water. It is there in the seductive ocean that Edna's awakening begins.

A certain light was beginning to dawn dimly within her... [she] was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being and to recognize her relations as an individual to the world within and about her (25).

That warm ocean environment is in direct contrast to the responsibilities and rules of the cold, hard city. And it is there in that rel

The link between Edna's awakening and the ocean becomes even clearer when after several attempts she finally learns to swim. The first time she ventures out into the ocean alone is the first step toward her independence. She panics when she realizes how far she has gone alone and fears drowning. This incident represents Edna gaining control over her body and becoming more aware of her full potential. The ocean helps her recognize that her body is her own and she awakens to her physical, mental, and emotional capabilities. "But that night she was like the little tottering, stumbling, clutching child, who of a sudden realizes its powers, and walks for the first time alone, boldly and with overconfidence." (47). Edna's sudden terror in the middle of the ocean signifies that she may not be able to venture out as far as she wants to and may have

Robert leaving Edna with "Good-by-because I love you" (185) opens Edna's eyes to the fact that she is still not entirely her own person. Mr. Pontellier and society still have control over many of Edna's decisions and much of her life. When Edna decides to claim her life she is asserting that her life is hers to have and to destroy. She wants to prove to everyone including herself that she is her own person and can choose her own fate.

While relaxing on the beach with Mrs.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Robert Edna, Edna Good-by-because, Chopin's Awakening, edna's awakening, voice sea, , whispering clamoring murmuring, ceasing whispering clamoring, seductive ceasing whispering, voice sea seductive, seductive ceasing, soul wander, inviting soul, murmuring inviting, 189 edna swims, ceasing whispering, 189 edna, sea seductive, clamoring murmuring,
Approximate Word count = 908
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)