The Awakening

The Awakening was a fascinating book in which I noticed many trends of women, mostly Edna, was revolting from society. She is not like the typical woman and she likes that fact. She is strong willed and does not like being treated as a possession. She married Leonce strictly in order to fit into societal norms rather than love. Then she fell for Robert. Robert is the passionate side of Edna's life. She has structure with her family, but it is not structure that she enjoys. Although she loves her family and kids, she does not enjoy playing the domestic role in her household. She does not fit into the typical role of a mother. She almost would rather have her family to just escape to sometimes. It was interesting to me that she enjoyed swimming. I see swimming as being freeing and limiting at the same time. Since Edna does not know how to swim, it is limiting. However, once she learns how to swim she feels too free and tries to go out further then she is able to. This shows me that freedom can also harm someone. Edna felt so free that she put herself at risk. The birds also fascinated me. From the begginning of the novel, birds are a strong symbol. They symbolize the constraints placed on individuals or society. The birds are caged in and are not free. This is similiar to women. Women have strict roles that they have to fulfill in order to be accepted. By her commiting suicide at the end it shows me that Edna could not fill the independent role. She thought she could move out and be on her own with free love, however she could not handle that on her own. By commiting suicide she freed herself once and for all from all the limiting agents in society. One question that constantly was driven into my mind was who is the true foil character to Edna? While each character plays a major role, I want to know who is the strongest foil.