The Awakening Full Analysis

the story centers around a theme of independence.

Edna, the main character, endures a life as a mother

and caretaker as her husband is away for weeks at a

time on business. Through this independence a second

theme develops. Edna is very lonely and seeks

companionship in Robert when her husband is away.

The last theme is the discovery of one's own

needs and wants. During Edna's "awakening," she discovers

her sexual needs as Robert manifest his interest in her.

She also explores painting, seeking the satisfaction of

self-creation and the emotions that her paintings portray

Setting: The story takes place in Grand Isle, A summer

family resort where Edna is vacationing with her husband

and children. It is the late 1800's. They return back to

their New Orleans home and shortly thereafter Edna returns

to Grand Isle where she ends her life.

Major Characters:

Edna Pontellier: Edna is a well respected

woman. She has 2 children and is "happily"

married to her husband, Leonce Pontellier.

During this summer vacation, however,

she begins to realize that she is not happy.

She has let go of her passions and ambitions

to take on the role that society has inscribed

upon her, As a woman, wife, and caretaker.

Through her friendship with Adele, She

to express and act upon her emotions and feelings

as Creole woman do because they are already

expected to be chaste.

Edna switches from being a responsible

woman to being selfish in her pursuit for the

things she yearns for. You can see this with

her mockery of Robert, when he turns her down.

Mademoiselle Reisz: an old woman that can be

described as anything but conventional. She is

not very fond on the rest of the visitors at

the resort but enjoys Edna's company as she shows

true interest in the arts and love.

Mademoiselle Reisz represents the woman

Edna would have become had she not let society

force her to conform to the lifestyle expected

of a woman in that time period.

Adele Ratignolle: Adele represents the conformist

life that Edna is expected to follow. Through her

Creole ways, however, she catapults Edna's awakening.

Since Creole woman are so openly chaste and devout,

they are allowed to speak in a free manner where

they express their emotions about life, marriage

and sexuality. This reminds Edna of her childhood

ambitions and feelings which she yearns to have again.

Robert Lebrun: Robert is a flirtatious young man

That devotes