Kate Chopin's novel The Awakening relates the emotion-driven story of Edna Pontellier. Her story is a happy one. Not because of some typical fairy tale ending where they all live happily ever after, but in that she accomplished her goal in life. She never "sacrificed herself for her children." (p. 115) Edna Pontellier remained an individual. The music that was brought to her by Mademoiselle Reisz stirred up a deeper meaning in Edna's life. This is the point at which she feels her new being forming. In the end, not only did she realized that her new life had no place in this world, but that she would be happier in the sea, where there were no restrictions placed on her and the possibilities could be endless. She achieved her goal of being a free spirit through her death.
Both Robert and Edna are in love with each other, and both know that with the societal constraints that a romance
Edna Pontellier underwent a spiritual awakening. It was achieved through the endless physical sleep of death. In the case of The Awakening, the title itself relates the central idea of the novel. Edna's spiritual awakening is significant because everything else in the work is working towards that goal. Edna cannot have anything she desires in this world, and therefore removed herself from it in a final "awakening" of her soul.
could never be possible. Still with the combination of Mademoiselle Reisz's music and a newfound love for Robert, Edna starts the "Awakening." An amazing transformation takes place in Edna throughout the course of a few months. The people with whom she interacts and the culture in which she is submersed play a significant role in her "awakening." Edna is able to break away from the restraining world of Adele and Leonce in which she will never find her place. Stirred by the magic and intrigue of Mademoiselle Reisz's world, sh
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