Just as a child comes out of its mother's womb and takes its first breath in open air, Edna herself is taking her first breath from her awakening in Chopin's novella The Awakening.
             Chopin describes Edna's water experiences as if she was a new-born baby coming into the world and realizing that there is a totally different world from where she was held captive from everything. A baby is cradled in water in the womb. It is in this water that the baby develops and becomes aware of itself, just like Edna and her re-birth in water. Just as a baby is held in fluid and then brought into the world and notices life, so does Edna. Through Chopin's symbols of water and metaphors and similies between Edna and a new-born, we can see definite comparison.
             Edna's first new water experience is very important in the development of her "awakening." "But that night she was like the little tottering, stumbling, clutching child, who all of a sudden realizes its powers and walks for the first time alone" (47). She has fully awakened and is aware that she can swim or can do what ever she wants. Edna, who has been very hidden from life, has just discovered her ups and downs of her new experience. She stumbles at first and is hesitant and responds the way a child would when they discover something new. What joy a child gets when they learn to walk or ride a bike. To them it's like a step towards more freedom from what held them back. Edna took her first step towards this "new freedom" of hers and responds the same way a child does because this is so new to her, but she is hesitant. During this time she feels helpless; because its her first time she needs reassurance. "A certain ungovernable dread hung about her when in the water, unless there was a hand near by that might reach out and reassure her" (47). Just as a child needs help in this "new worl
             ...