The Awakening :: essays research papers

In The alter Kate Chopin uses several symbols and motifs to reveal greater themes throughout the book. The protagonist, Edna Pontellier, goes through a serial of awakenings in which she discovers her independence and longing for a life which is less conformed. stock-still Edna ultimately finds that independence and solitude come hand in hand, and that the expectations of women in the 1800s conflict with her desire to be an individual. Several events and characters influence Ednas awakening such as Robert Lebrun, Adele Ratignolle and even her several visits to Grand Isle. notwithstanding there is one character who seems to be the most influential in Ednas development and that is white perch Reisz. silver perch Reisz is an unconventional and somewhat less-traveled older muliebrity but also an excellent pianist. She is unmarried, childless, and homely, devoting all her duration to her music. Even her living style reveals her character an apartment above everyone else, with a v iew, but often disagreeable and cold. mademoiselle Reisz serves as a chew over for Edna representing independence and freedom, and she is thus also a foil for Adele who represents everything an acceptable woman would have been in the nineteenth century. Even though neither Edna nor Mademoiselle Reisz can authentically claim to have been very fond of each(prenominal) other, Edna seeks her companionship as she begins to pursue her independence and is attracted to Mademoiselle because of her blunt manner. Mademoiselle Reisz is the only character who knows of Ednas feelings for Robert and therefore serves as an important contact between the two characters. Mademoiselle Reisz also realizes that Edna is the only guest who seems really touched by her music, made obvious in a transportation in which Edna first hears her play Perhaps it was the first time she was ready, maybe the first time her being was tempered to take an impress of the stable truth... she saw no pictures of solitu de, of hope, of longing, or of despair (chap.9 pg. 33). In this light Mademoiselle Reisz serves as a true confidant for Edna and these details bring these two contrasting personalities together. As Edna becomes increasingly aware of her sexuality and need to be independent she realizes that Mademoiselle Reisz is the epitome of artistry and female independence, one who lives in eccentric isolation. Mademoiselle Reisz tells Edna that she mustiness be brave is she wishes to be an artist, that artists must have a courageous and defiant soul, Courageous, ma foi The brave soul.