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The Awakening Title Analysis

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The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Title explanation: The Awakening is a phrase which symbolically describes what happens to the main character, Edna Pontellier, as she becomes an aware and conscious human being in the course of this book.
Setting: Grand Isle and New Orleans During the Late 19th Century
Genre: Literary Fiction, Tragedy. The story, for Edna, does not have a happy ending, for she either drowns from exhaustion or she dies intentionally.For the "literary fiction" component, the entire novel focuses on Edna’s psychological journey rather than relating exciting plot details. Historical Context:
Originally titled The Solitary Soul
Began writing the novel in 1897, finished in January 1898
It was first published in April 1899
Considered …show more content…

Initially, Edna experiences her independence as no more than an emotion. When she swims for the first time, she discovers her own strength, and through her pursuit of her painting she is reminded of the pleasure of individual creation. when she makes the decision to abandon her former lifestyle, Edna realizes that independent ideas cannot always translate into a simultaneously self-sufficient and socially acceptable existence.Once Robert refuses to trespass the boundaries of societal convention, Edna acknowledges the profundity of her solitude.
Symbols:
The Sea - On one hand the sea is a symbol of empowerment in The Awakening. In the sea, Edna learns to swim, and learns that she does in fact have control over her own body. However, on the other hand, it symbolizes her tragedy, for she drowns in the sea.
Cigars - a symbol of masculinity and traditional manhood. Edna's husband has a penchant for stogies, smoking them frequently and even proving his independence by staying behind and smoking when Edna wants him to come in and go to bed. Also, Robert, in the beginning of the novel, smokes cigarettes because they're cheaper. But after he makes his fortune in Mexico, he's suddenly puffing

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