A satire of Middle class ameri
In Kate Chopin' The Awakening , the protagonist, Edna Pontellier is portrayed as an artist. Throughout the novel we see instances of where Edna's art is criticized and she even admits that she is not a true painter. However, it is not Edna's paintings that make her an artist, rather it is her rebellion against society that makes her an artist. Mlle. Reisz defines an artist as "a brave soul, a soul that dares and defies." Edna tries to become that brave soul, she was brave enough to start her own rebellion but was not strong enough to maintain it. Edna's rebellion was a rebellion against society, becoming an artist, to Edna was to discover herself and satisfy her At the beginning of the book Chopin describes a caged parrot who "wants everyone to go away." This caged parrot is symbolic of Edna, indeed her life is a caged parrot which needs to be fulfilled. Edna starts her movement towards self discovery during her summer at the Grand Isle, where she begins her pursuit for passion and sensuality. Mlle. Reisz is the mockingbird who makes the parrot speak, the mockingbird here represents the only figure who understands
Reisz's piano lessons she gains courage to fulfill her needs. " Edna begins to dare and defy societies rules by her change in attitude, behavior and overall character throughout the book. She turns to art and spending time alone to achieve self-fulfillment. Sexual and emotional awakening drive her to discover more about how she is. It represented the limitations of their domestic lives, as represented my Madame Ragionalle, women were expected to be mother-women who willingly allow their way of life to be dictated by societies rules. Edna's rebellion becomes fueled by her self-centered desire to fulfill her whims and wishes. Reisz as someone who "dares and defies. Edna uses those wings to soar above society. She begins her flight towards self-realization but falls to her death because her courage was not strong enough. " Edna becomes an artist because she defies societies rules by leaving her husband and children to achieve self-fulfillment. The artist was one who had the courage to soar above societies rules and expectations of a woman. As her infatuation with Robert increases, Edna becomes more and more of a rebel to society. Edna shows a hunger to fulfill, a hunger that leads her to her death.
Common topics in this essay:
Mlle Reisz,
Initially Edna,
Edna Pontellier,
Mlle Reisz's,
Madame Ragionalle,
Indeed Edna,
Grand Isle,
caged parrot,
mlle reisz,
societies rules,
Chopin' Awakening,
strong wings,
becoming artist,
sexual emotional,
emotional awakening,
sexual emotional awakening,
soar level plain,
dares defies edna,
level plain,
soar level,
dares defies,
plain tradition prejudice,
level plain tradition,
|