Two Lovers and the Lady in Black

Two Lovers and the Lady in Black Many of the characters in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening develop in strange ways. Edna, for instance, can’t find an inner peace and is unsatisfied with her life even though she is wealthy. The two lovers and the lady in black are characters that are not fully developed like others in the story, but their symbolic presence plays a big role in the meaning of the novel. In chapter one, the lady in black makes her first appearance. She is praying which makes her seem like she is religious. This symbolizes Edna’s attempts to break free from the chains and bonds of religion. She wants to rise up against her previous religious lifestyle and live her life without the rules and regulations. The lady in black represents a figure of death. I believe that her black attire and evil presence while following the two lovers is the embodiment of death and casualty. Also, the lady in black could represent the future. The two lovers are having the time of their lives right now, but eventually old age, illness, and possibly separation will come eventually. The lady in black is like a bad omen that will eventually end their love and happiness and cause them sorrow in pain. The lady in black signifies Robert and Edna’s love that can never exist. Although they want to be together, their relationship was unholy and morally wrong. The lady in black follows close behind because Robert and Edna will never be able to forget or disown their forbidden love. The two lovers are very happy and joyous but are followed by the evil lady in black. They are infatuated with each other but not necessarily in love. This represents Edna and her husband’s relationship. At first, they were constantly hopeful and eager for their future together. The characters are not developed because the author is showing how first stage of love. Robert is asked if the couple is married and he replies, “Of course not”. This shows that Edna and her husband were married but their