lic function of birds is extremely important in this passage. Women are not supposed to have wings to fly where they want, but to use in the service of their families. They are supposed to sacrifice all their individuality and conform to the identity outlined by social convention. They fly according to the course predetermined by these conventions.
             The lady in black is an important symbol in The Awakening because she represents the ideal for the widowed woman. Instead of embarking on a life of independence after fulfilling her duties as a wife, she devotes herself to a religiously devout life. In a sense, her absence of dialogue is like a vow of silence; she hardly exists as an individual. Adele represents the ideal woman in marriage. She is constantly caring for an infant or planning on another one.
             Edna marvels at the permissiveness of Creole society because everyone, including women, can openly discuss the intimacies of life such as pregnancy, undergarments, and affairs. Men such as Robert can openly play at flirting with married women, and the women can openly flirt with him as well. However, despite this outward appearance of "freedom," a strict code of chastity is imposed. The "freedom" itself is permitted only under the expectation that no one seriously act upon it. Robert's affectionate attentions mimic the standard of courtly love, an essentially medieval concept. Courtly love is not a love that is consummated physically. Outside marriage, this is the only kind of love a woman can have without losing her social respectibility. A Creole husband is "never jealous" only when his right of exclusive possession of his wife remains unchallenged in any serious way.
             Edna is slowly beginning to think of herself as an individual with a relationship to the outer world. The "seductive voice" of the sea leads her to moments of "inward contemplation" that have awakened her to vaguely disturbing realizations. Edna is generally reserved....