Symbolism In The Awakening
Birds: Birds are symbolic of the Victorian era women present in the story, just as the cages they are placed in mirror the societal restraints placed upon these women by the creole society. As the birds scream “Go away! Go away! For God’s sake" it is understood that this restriction of sorts is not always accepted, rather a select few instead reject them, enter our main character Edna.
Sleep: Sleep is considered an escape, the idea of leaving oneself behind and entering a world of unrestrained possibilities is the only offered comfort to Edna when she is badgered by her husband upon his return from billiards. She refuses to offer anymore than the slightest participation in the discussion and hopes only to be left to herself and her dreams. …show more content…
Within the Isles, each married women has come to terms with this through generations of viewing it as a social norm but this practice is foreign to the Presbyterian and American Edna, leading to the main issue of the story and her rebellious acts in an attempt for self realization.
Foil: The most obvious foil amongst the main characters of The Awakening is that of Adele and Edna. Edna is a seemingly emotionally detached and un-motherlike figure whom lacks a compassion for her husband that is obvious amongst other creole wives. One of these wives being Adele, the ideal wife in fact, she is referred to repeatedly as the ideal "mother-woman" but in Edna’s eyes she is a contrasting woman whom lacks the ability to see herself as an individual.
Music and art: Adele's piano piece caused a flickering of images within Edna’s mind, images of solitude, a naked man watching a bird fly away freely, this bird representing a woman breaking away. Reisz's piece was different, it caused in agitation within Edna that forced a stirring of emotion bringing her to tears, Reisz commented that Edna was the only one worth playing for, this is because only Edna understood the magnitude of self expression present within the notes. After having heard Reisz music Edna began to paint with a newfound passion and burning desire for
Sleep: Sleep is considered an escape, the idea of leaving oneself behind and entering a world of unrestrained possibilities is the only offered comfort to Edna when she is badgered by her husband upon his return from billiards. She refuses to offer anymore than the slightest participation in the discussion and hopes only to be left to herself and her dreams. …show more content…
Within the Isles, each married women has come to terms with this through generations of viewing it as a social norm but this practice is foreign to the Presbyterian and American Edna, leading to the main issue of the story and her rebellious acts in an attempt for self realization.
Foil: The most obvious foil amongst the main characters of The Awakening is that of Adele and Edna. Edna is a seemingly emotionally detached and un-motherlike figure whom lacks a compassion for her husband that is obvious amongst other creole wives. One of these wives being Adele, the ideal wife in fact, she is referred to repeatedly as the ideal "mother-woman" but in Edna’s eyes she is a contrasting woman whom lacks the ability to see herself as an individual.
Music and art: Adele's piano piece caused a flickering of images within Edna’s mind, images of solitude, a naked man watching a bird fly away freely, this bird representing a woman breaking away. Reisz's piece was different, it caused in agitation within Edna that forced a stirring of emotion bringing her to tears, Reisz commented that Edna was the only one worth playing for, this is because only Edna understood the magnitude of self expression present within the notes. After having heard Reisz music Edna began to paint with a newfound passion and burning desire for