The Awakening by Kate Chopin

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Kate Chopin

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Edna 's Bath

Kate Chopin is a perfect example of an American Realist as she wrote as close as possible to events which occurred in real life . Her influence while living with her husband Oliver in the South was found with her embrace of the Creole culture . When her husband died young she returned with her six children to St . Louis where she began to write fiction (her situation financially was quite secure , which allowed her more

free time than most women during this time period in America . This essay will explore the character of Edna Pontellier in Chopin 's more famous story The Awakening ' and how the use of water as a baptismal and purifying element is depicted juxtaposed with Edna

Edna Pontellier is Chopin 's main female protagonist in The Awakening . The use of water as a dominant symbol in the book will be dissected in this essay , as well as Edna 's independence throughout the novel , and how her final act of independence and self identity is made through water (Pontuale pg12

Water is a purifying element : it is used in baptisms to eliminate the soul of evil , it is used to keep people alive , it is used to clean , and each of these elements combined adds in Chopin 's novel , and Edna 's self identity . The human body is made almost entirely of water , so it is natural that Edna 's instincts , and act of independence would involve water . Edna 's final act of independence , that of drowning herself , ties into other symbols of water in the novel , such as her swimming in the ocean prior to this event , her falling in love , and the time she spends with her family at the beach all point to love of one kind or another In to fully understand the importance of water in the novel however a look into Edna 's personality is needed , and what independence means , and what an awakening is to this female protagonist (Bunch pg33 .Not only is water a major symbol of the novel but in a smaller part decorating seems to be a symbol . Edna 's character constantly is redecorating her house - this is a symbol of dissatisfaction in her present abode and the feeling that her `nest ' is not the right fit for her . In a major scene in the novel this culminates into the narration of the drapes . Edna 's character is thinking about the drapes and how the do not fit her current mood or style . She wants to redecorate in to feel she has a certain amount of control over her surroundings This redecoration is what leads her to realize she takes on a lover to feel a certain amount of control over herself . Thus , the symbol of the drapes is twofold - they resemble her lack of control and desire to have control over her life and by extension they manifest themselves into Edna...